Curriculum
“Infinities and indivisibles transcend our finite understanding, the former on account of their magnitude, the latter because of their smallness; Imagine what they are when combined.” - Galileo Galilei
The curriculum in Applied Physics combines coursework in the fundamentals of physical theory, its applications to modern technology and practical "hands-on" training in the research laboratories.
Applied Physics is administered as an intercollegiate degree program with participating faculty in the College of Literature Science and the Arts, the College of Engineering, the Medical School, and School of Natural Resources and the School of Public Health. General admission and degree requirements are administered by the Rackham Graduate School.
The time to degree is four to six years with an emphasis on coursework during the first two years. Students are encouraged to become involved in research at the earliest opportunity and are required to complete a supervised research project in their first year. When students complete the basic academic core course requirements, have satisfied the qualification procedure (see below), have formed a Dissertation Committee, and have obtained approval for their Dissertation Prospectus, they are eligible for admission to Candidacy for the Ph.D.
Qualifying Procedure
The decision to qualify a student for Ph.D. study is based on the student's academic record, performance in a four-credit hour supervised research project and the results of an oral examination. The oral Qualifying Examination includes an introduction of the student's supervised research project followed by questions on standard undergraduate-level physics. The student is usually expected to qualify within two years of entering the graduate program.
Candidacy
To achieve candidacy and form a dissertation committee, seven prescribed 500-level courses must be passed with a minimum grade of B. In addition, four elective courses (chosen in consultation with the program advisor according to the student's research needs) must be completed satisfactorily. Completion of one four-credit hour course on non-thesis research is required under the supervision of a faculty member. Prior approval by the program committee must be obtained before beginning this supervised research course. All first, second, and third year students are required to enroll in the weekly seminar course (APPPHYS 514). The final step in achieving candidacy is the Preliminary Examination.
Preliminary Examination
A preliminary examination of the plans for dissertation research are formally reviewed by the student's Dissertation Committee. The examination is a presentation of the research and the objectives and proposed methods of investigation. This examination authorizes the student to proceed with the thesis research.
Students will have formed their Dissertation Committee by the end of their fifth term in graduate school. Approval of the Dissertation Prospectus is a program requirement prior to Candidacy. This should be completed during the first semester of the third year.
Thesis Defense
Once the thesis is written and approved by the research advisor and thesis committee, it must meet Rackham Graduate School’s requirements.
CURRICULUM
Recommended Course Sequence and Descriptions:
The recommended course sequence combines basic core courses and more advanced elective options in the student's area of specialization which are not limited to the following:
FIRST YEAR
Fall
Electricity & Magnetism I (Phys 505)
or Electromagnetic Theory I (AP 530)
Applied Quantum Mechanics I (AP 540)
or Quantum Mechanics I (Phys 511)
Statistical Physics (Phys 510)
Winter
Electricity & Magnetism II (Phys 506)
Quantum Theory of Light (AP609)
or Quantum Mechanics II (Phys 512)
Supervised Research (AP 715)
Graduate Seminar Attendance (AP 514)SECOND YEAR
Fall
Computational/Math Methods Elective ++
Condensed Matter (Phys 520) or Equivalent in Major Field
Elective Course*
Graduate Seminar Attendance (AP 514)
Winter
Elective Course*
Elective Course*
Elective Course*
Graduate Seminar Participation (AP 514)
* At least two electives must be at the 600 level
++ One of the following must be elected:
Microcomputers in Experimental Research (AP 518)
or Methods of Applied Math I (M 556)
or Numerical Methods for Scientific Computing I (M 571)
or other approved computer/math methods options
THIRD YEAR
Graduate Seminar Participation (AP 514) Two Credits (2 terms)
Related Course Work:
Upon completion of the basic core courses, students will select more advanced classes in their intended area of specialization. This selection will be made in consultation with the student's research advisor and the program Director. Course offerings include (but are not limited to):
Chemistry
668 Molecular & Solid State Symmetry
669 Physics of Extended Surfaces
Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
513 Semiconductor and Integrated Circuit Modeling for Computer Aided Design
517 Physical Processes in Plasmas
521 High Speed Transistors
524 Digital Circuits Laboratory
529 Optical and Optoelectronic Devices
530 Electromagnetic Theory
537 Integrated and Guided Wave Optics
538 Lasers and Electro-Optics I
539 Lasers and Electro-Optics II
546 Ultrafast Optics
621 Electronic Properties of Solid State Materials
630 Advanced Electromagnetics
634 Nonlinear Optics
Materials Science and Engineering
532 Thermodynamics of Solid Systems
550 Fundamentals of Materials Science
562 Electron Microscopy I
620 Phase Transformations in Solids
662 Electron Microscopy II
Mathematics
554 Advanced Mathematics for Engineers
555 Introduction to Complex Variables
556 Methods of Applied Mathematics I
557 Methods of Applied Mathematics II
571 Numerical Methods for Scientific Computing
601 Real Analysis I
602 Real Analysis II
603 Complex Analysis I
604 Complex Analysis II
650 Fourier Analysis
Nuclear Engineering
511 Quantum Mechanics of Neutron-Nuclear Interactions
512 Interaction of Radiation with Matter
571 Plasmas and Controlled Fusion I
572 Plasmas and Controlled Fusion II
576 Principles of Charged Particle Accelerators
674 High-lntensity Laser Plasma Interactions
676 Physics of Intense Charged Particle Beams
Physics
540 Advanced Condensed Matter
609 Quantum Theory of Light
619 Advanced Solid State
619.1 Photoelectron Spectroscopy
619.2 Photon, Neutron and Electron Scattering in Solids
623 Advanced Statistical Physics
633 Fluid Dynamics
639 Low-Temperature Physics
644 Advanced Atomic Physics