TAMU Physics & AstronomyGrad Programs:

Physics, Applied Physics

Joe Ross, Faculty Academic AdvisorGraduate Orientation, August 2020

Contacting Me

http://graduateadvisor.physics.tamu.edu• has links for curriculum etc.• also see links on main department webpage

(I maintain this site)

1. email

jhross@tamu.edu

2. My office: 448 MPHY

3. My lab: B03 CAIN (former ENPH building)

(my webpage)

Department Policies• See link on Department (& grad advisor) website.

• Contains department-specific rules: Course requirements, department rules for Qualifying courses, assistantships, etc.

• Yes, 2018 is the most recent.

There are also University deadlines & rules – see TAMU catalog, OGAPS website.

OGAPS (Office of Grad & Professional Studies) is the University office that oversees graduate programs.

Degrees in Physics & Astronomy Department:

• Master of Science (PHYS major).Thesis, or Non-thesis.Non-thesis has Physics track and Applied Physics trackMS can be obtained on the way to Ph.D., but not required.

• Master of Science (Astronomy major).Thesis, or Non-thesis.

• Physics PhD (PHYS).

• Applied Physics PhD (APHY).

• Astronomy PhD (ASTR)

• Can switch between these without too much trouble, some course overlap between degrees.• MS courses generally include first PhD courses

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Ph.D. steps to completing the degree:

Required courses take 2(+) years

Find research advisor, ~ first year.

After 2 years you should have a research advisor, & degree plan submitted (signed by advisor & advisory committee).

Dissertation Proposal & Preliminary exam

Prelim: Oral defense of the Proposal, in ~ 3rd–4th (+) year, once initial research is completed and dissertation focus is in sight.

Dissertation: Written as the research is being completed. Oral Final Exam comes after written dissertation goes to committee: oral exam is a presentation and defense of the dissertation.

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Ph.D. steps to completing the degree:

Required courses take 2(+) years

Find research advisor, ~ first year.

After 2 years you should have a research advisor, & degree plan submitted (signed by advisor & advisory committee).

Dissertation Proposal & Preliminary exam

Prelim: Oral defense of the Proposal, in ~ 3rd–4th (+) year, once initial research is completed and dissertation focus is in sight.

Dissertation: Written as the research is being completed. Oral Final Exam comes after written dissertation goes to committee: oral exam is a presentation and defense of the dissertation.

§ We try to match students with advisors, depending on sub-field, but we don’t designate advisors.

§ Expect to find a position in a research group in 2nd year if not sooner.

§ Core courses completion as soon as possible also very important.

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Nine Required Physics-Ph.D. Courses1. PHYS 601 (Mechanics) Fall, Spring2. PHYS 603 (Electricity & Magnetism I) Spring3. PHYS 606 (QM I) Fall, Spring4. PHYS 607 (Stat. Mech.-Thermo.) Fall, Spring5. PHYS 615 (Math Methods) Fall 6. PHYS 624 (QM II) Spring7. PHYS 611 (E&M II) Fall 8+9: Two distribution courses, from lists in 3 categories: 1) Atomic/Quantum Optics/Solid State 2) Particle/Nuclear 3) Astronomy èCourses 1-6 are �Qualifier� courses: must pass each with A or B. (In addition must maintain 3.0 average in all degree-plan coursework.)èYou may need other electives on degree plan, up to you & your advisory committee.è Department Grad Policies: gives details.

online this semester

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Nine Required Physics-Ph.D. Courses1. PHYS 601 (Mechanics) Fall, Spring2. PHYS 603 (Electricity & Magnetism I) Spring3. PHYS 606 (QM I) Fall, Spring4. PHYS 607 (Stat. Mech.-Thermo.) Fall, Spring5. PHYS 615 (Math Methods) Fall 6. PHYS 624 (QM II) Spring7. PHYS 611 (E&M II) Fall 8+9: Two distribution courses, from lists in 3 categories: 1) Atomic/Quantum Optics/Solid State 2) Particle/Nuclear 3) Astronomy èCourses 1-6 are �Qualifier� courses: must pass each with A or B. (In addition must maintain 3.0 average in all degree-plan coursework.)èYou may need other electives on degree plan, up to you & your advisory committee.è Department Grad Policies: gives details.

~ 2 years

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Example schedule – 1st year 9 + 9 + 6 hours4 core courses

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Example schedule – 2nd year This example completes required PHYS courses in 2 years (but with no added electives)

You & your advisory committee will decide whether other elective courses are needed (degree plan completed after 2nd year.)

Physics MS:

These 5 appear on PhD list

36 hours for non-thesis MS

No 691 for the non-thesis MS, must take 685 instead

The 5 MS qualifying courses are also PhD required courses. Option to complete MS first, or can do MS+PhD concurrently.

MS Thesis is rare; Non-thesis MS is much more common.

Physics/Applied Physics non-thesis MS:

For non-thesis MS, choose one of these options, plus elective courses or 685 research to total at least 36 hours.

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Applied Physics Ph.D.:

• APHY research projects include materials physics, device physics, quantum optics, accelerator or astronomy instrumentation, etc...

• Most courses shared with Physics Ph.D. degree, but allows more flexibility for interdisciplinary coursework.

• 5 rather than 6 Qualifier Courses.

• More room for cross-disciplinary courses.

• Not difficult to switch between these two degrees.

• Texas A&M somewhat unusual in that we have these two Ph.D. choices within same department, rather than a separate department or group of faculty.

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Applied Physics Ph.D.:

#1-5 same as in PHYS degree requirements; these are qualifier courses, similar to the PHYS degree.

In addition to the required courses, PhD degree plans will total the TAMU-requred 64 or 96 credit hours; many of these will be research hours.

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Notes :

• No �Ph.D. Qualifying Exam�; core qualifying courses serve as a substitute for an exam. You can sometimes substitute for Qualifying Courses with exam/approval. [See Sherree Kessler or RaeChel Superville.]

• Taking courses outside Physics Department normally requires approval of Research Advisor. Your first priorities: complete core courses as soon as possible, and finding a research group.

A few specific OGAPS & Texas A&M requirements:

• Grad students required to be full-time registered: 9 hours in fall or spring, 6 hours in summer, on Assistantship or Fellowship.

• By end of second year will need to submit a Degree Plan (the OGAPS form is online, found on their website).

• OGAPS Preliminary Examination Checklist & report form (Student & advisor complete this leading up to Prelim exam).

• Other OGAPS deadlines include: Request for Final Examination, Apply for Degree... (See the OGAPS website “Calendars and Deadlines” link.)

• TAMU catalog sets out some additional rules such as which type of courses can appear on degree plan, certain time limits, residence requirements, etc.