Mathematics Physics Ph.D.

Special program requirements for the Mathematics Physics Ph.D.

See also general University Graduate School requirements.

Doctor of Philosophy Degree

Admission requirements

Students in the Mathematical Physics Program must be enrolled in either the Department of Mathematics or the Department of Physics. Basic preparation should include courses in advanced calculus, linear algebra, modern algebra, complex variables, classical mechanics, electromagnetism, quantum mechanics, modern physics, thermodynamics, and statistical mechanics. Knowledge of the following fields is desirable: real analysis, differential equations, probability, topology, differential geometry, and functional analysis.

Course requirements

A total of 90 credit hours, including dissertation. Required courses are determined by the advisory committee on the basis of the student’s previous training and main fields of interest. (For a starting point, see requirements for Mathematical Physics minor.)

Advisory committee

Composed of members of both the Department of Mathematics and the Department of Physics.

Minors

Mathematics and physics

Foreign language/Research-Skill requirement

Same as in the department of residence.

Qualifying examination

Consists of parts of the Departments of Mathematics and Physics qualifying examinations, as determined by the student’s advisory committee.

Final examination

Oral and public defense of dissertation.

Courses

See listings of the Departments of Mathematics and Physics.

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