Prerequisites: none
Description: A nontechnical presentation of the growth of modern science covering topics from Newton and gravitation, Kepler and the motion of celestial bodies, Einstein and relativity, and Planck and Bohr up to present theories on the origin and evolution of the universe. Explores the philosophical ideas, scientific e) Environmental Physics Two courses chosen from track (b) and two courses chosen from below: SWSC 203 (Surface Chemistry of Soils) SWSC 213 (Soil Mineralogy) or other approved graduate-level courses in related fields. f) Materials and Nanoscale Physics Two courses chosen from track (b) and two additional approved courses from the departments of Chemistry, Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or Electrical and Computer Engineering. g) Astronomy PHYS 203 (Statistical Astronomy) PHYS 204 (Advanced Galaxy Formation and Cosmology) PHYS 208 (General Relativity) PHYS 211A (Radiation) PHYS 213 (Astrophysics of the Interstellar Medium) PHYS 216 (Star Formation) PHYS 217 (Stellar Structure and Evolution) PHYS 226 (Cosmology) 2. Written Comprehensive Examinations Students must have satisfactory performance on a comprehensive examination, to be taken at the end of the student’s first year. In the event of a failure, a make-up exam is offered in the winter quarter of the second year. The comprehensive examination for students pursuing the physics program consists of an exam that covers Mechanics, Statistical and Thermal Physics, Quantum Mechanics, and Electromagnetism. The comprehensive examination for students pursuing the astronomy specialization consists of an exam that covers Mechanics, Statistical and Thermal Physics, Electromagnetism, and Fundamental Astrophysics. 3. Oral Qualifying Examination in General Area of Proposed Research Satisfactory performance on an oral examination in the general area of the student’s proposed research. This examination is conducted by a doctoral committee, charged with general supervision of the student’s research. It is normally taken during the academic year following that in which the comprehensive examination requirement has been successfully completed. A student who fails this examination on the first attempt may, at the discretion of the committee, be permitted to take it a second time. 4. Dissertation Examination Students must complete a dissertation containing a review of existing knowledge relevant to the area of the candidate’s research, and the results of the candidate’s original research. This research must be of sufficiently high quality to constitute a contribution to knowledge in the subject area. The elective courses include the following: a) Nuclear and Particle Physics PHYS 225A, PHYS 225B (Elementary Particles) PHYS 230A, PHYS 230B (Advanced Quantum Mechanics and Quantum Theory of Fields) b) Condensed Matter, Surface, Biophysics and Optical Physics PHYS 209A, PHYS 209B (Introduction to Quantum Electronics) PHYS 234 (Physics of Nanoscale Systems) PHYS 235 (Spintronics and Nanoscale Systems) PHYS 236 (Advanced Imaging Techniques) PHYS 240A*, PHYS 240B*, PHYS 240C (Condensed Matter Physics) PHYS 241A, PHYS 241B, PHYS 241C (Advanced Statistical Physics and Field Theory) PHYS 242 (Physics at Surfaces and Interfaces) PHYS 246 (Biophysics) *For specialization in this track, students are required to take PHYS 240A and PHYS 240B successively as two of their three additional courses. c) Astrophysics PHYS 203 (Statistical Astronomy) PHYS 204 (Advanced Galaxy Formation and Cosmology) PHYS 208 (General Relativity) PHYS 211A (Radiative Processes in Astrophysics) PHYS 211B (Astrophysical Fluid Dynamics) PHYS 213 (Astrophysics of the Interstellar Medium) PHYS 216 (Star Formation) PHYS 217 (Stellar Structure and Evolution) Additional astrophysics courses may be taken at other UC campuses through the Intercampus Exchange Program. d) Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics PHYS 203 (Statistical Astronomy) PHYS 204 (Advanced Galaxy Formation and Cosmology) PHYS 208 (General Relativity) PHYS 225A, PHYS 225B (Elementary Particles) PHYS 230A (Advanced Quantum Mechanics) PHYS 226 (Cosmology) Physics and Astronomy phenomena; the hydrogen atom; statistical physics; lasers; molecular structure; and solid state, nuclear, and particle physics.
Credit: Credit is not awarded for PHYS 040E if it has already been awarded for PHYS 002C or PHYS 041C.