Mar 29, 2024  
Ohio University Graduate Catalog 2015-2017 
    
Ohio University Graduate Catalog 2015-2017 [Archived Catalog]

Physics - PHD


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Degree Title: Doctor of Philosophy

Program Name and Number: Physics - PH3331

Department/Unit: Department of Physics and Astronomy

Delivery Mode: Athens campus

Program Mission: The graduate program mission is to: 
(a) Give our students a thorough grounding in the theoretical and experimental knowledge required to be a professional physicist; (b) Partner students with faculty to perform cutting-edge research on joint projects with direct supervision and intense feedback; (c) Initiate them into the worldwide scholarly community and improve their oral and written communication skills through writing of research papers, presentation of results at conferences and seminars, and production of theses and dissertations. 

Program Learning Objectives:

  • Achieve a good understanding of physical laws and principles.
  • Gain experience with measurement techniques and equipment.
  • Develop analytical skills and the ability to solve problems.
  • Develop the ability to assess uncertainties and assumptions.
  • Demonstrate the ability to present the results of investigations orally and in writing.
  • Acquire facility in the use of mathematics to solve problems and test hypotheses.

Program Overview: The Department of Physics and Astronomy offers the Doctor of Philosophy degree. This involves a combination of course work and the completion of an original, scholarly piece of research that is then presented as a Ph.D. dissertation. The research activities of the department are broad, and include astrophysics, biophysics, condensed matter and surface science, nanoscience, nuclear and particle physics. Experimental and theoretical studies take place in these areas. Furthermore, inter-disciplinary and inter-departmental programs are also possible.

Concentrations:

  • Astrophysics and Cosmology: Students will learn the physical principles behind the workings and evolution of the universe and structures located within, including stars, black holes, galaxies, and cosmological large-scale structure.  The program combines observational and theoretical studies with the option of a thesis project in observational or theoretical astrophysics.  Observational work can be completed with Ohio University’s share of the MDM observatory and/or other national and international observatories.
  • Biophysics: Students will learn the physics, mathematics and life science principles involved in this strong interdisciplinary field of research, where concepts of physics, mathematics, and biology are combined to study how living things work. Ohio University’s Quantitative Biology Institute, the interdisciplinary Neuroscience Program and the Bioengineering Program facilitate this advanced training. Students will often work in collaboration with biologists, bioengineers and mathematicians on campus or off-campus. Furthermore, they have access to and learn how to utilize emerging computing technologies.
  • Condensed Matter and Surface Science Physics: Students will learn the basic principles that govern the physics of condensed matter physics, including phenomena at atomic, nano-, meso- and macroscopic scales for crystalline solids and amorphous materials. The program combines experimental and theoretical studies in all these areas. Experimental work can be completed within the Athens campus with state-of-the-art facilities and/or in collaboration with national facilities. Research on theoretical physics range from analytic model development to computational physics.
  • Nuclear and Particle Physics: Students will learn the basic principles that govern sub-atomic particles, from the quark-and-gluon substructure of nucleons to how complex nuclei are composed. The program includes both theoretical and experimental components as well as the application of nuclear physics to astrophysics. Experimental work is performed in the on-campus Edwards Accelerator Laboratory, or at external facilities including the Thomas Jefferson and Brookhaven National Laboratories. Theoretical research includes computational investigations as well as analytic models.

Opportunities for Graduates: The Ph.D. degree qualifies the recipient to pursue work as a professional physicist. It also readies him/her for a variety of careers involving analytical thinking, and experimental or computational skills. More than 75% of our students go on to postdoctoral research positions at other universities and/or national laboratories. These postdoctoral positions further their training and are considered an essential step towards securing a permanent academic or research position. A significant fraction of our recent graduates have used this career path to obtain a tenure-track position at universities or colleges.

Link to Program: http://www.ohio.edu/cas/physastro/grad/phd/index.cfm

Graduation Requirements:

  1. Completion of the set of six core courses (or equivalent) with a B (3.0) average grade.
  2. Satisfactory completion of a graduate-level laboratory course, a computers-in-physics course and four courses chosen from: ASTR 5201, ASTR 5202, PHYS 5061, PHYS 5301, and non-core courses at the 6000- or 7000-level (excluding research courses PHYS 6940, PHYS 6950). At least one of these four courses must be in an area outside the student’s area of research specialization.   Courses or laboratory courses offered by other departments may substitute for a limited number of these requirements with the approval of the student’s advisor and the Graduate Chair. Course requirements may be waived with adequate evidence of equivalent work at other institutions.
  3. Minimum of 90 semester hours.
  4. Participation in the weekly departmental colloquium, PHYS 8001, is required.
  5. Satisfactory completion of the Prospectus Examination.
  6. Submission of approved Ph.D. dissertation and satisfactory completion of oral defense.

Thesis requirement: Yes

Qualifying exam: No

Comprehensive exam: Yes

Expected time to degree if studying fulltime: 5-6 years. 

Admission Requirements:

Freshman/First Year admission: Students entering this program are normally expected to have successfully concluded undergraduate work in mechanics, electricity and magnetism, thermodynamics, statistical mechanics and quantum mechanics. They should also possess a working knowledge of mathematics including calculus, ordinary differential equations, Fourier series, vector analysis, and basic elements of partial differential equations. It is recommended that applicants take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), including the advanced test for physics. Deficiencies of undergraduate preparation should not deter a prospective student with an otherwise good record, as these may be made up during the first year of graduate study.

Applications received by January 15 are given full consideration and the majority of offers are made by April 15. Most students enter the physics program in the fall, although some add the preceding summer session. Entry during the academic year is possible under exceptional circumstances. For all details concerning the graduate program, contact Ms. Candy Dishong (dishong@ohio.edu).

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