Advanced Mathematics Degree with a Minor in Physics

The Graduate School regulations allow candidates for Masters and Ph.D. degrees to seek minors in other subject areas. General guidelines can be found in the graduate catalog.

For a minor in physics with a Masters degree, a student must complete a minimum of eight credits in the Physics Department. At least one Physics Department faculty member must be on the Masters final examination committee. The graduate students committee of the Department of Mathematical Sciences requires that a masters degree candidate interested in a physics minor contact a faculty member of the Physics Department early in the candidate's residency, so that an appropriate and sensible program can be laid out. This program must meet the approval of the student's advisers in the two departments, the Head of the Physics Department, and the Graduate Studies Committee of the Department of Mathematical Sciences. No student should feel that the completion of eight credits of course work in the Physics Department automatically entitles the student to declare a minor in the subject.

A minor with a Ph.D. degree normally requires twelve credits of course work in the Physics Department, the approval of the Head of the Physics Department and the Dean of Graduate School. Moreover, the Physics Department will be represented at the student's comprehensive and final examinations. It is therefore extremely important that a Ph.D. student interested in a physics minor contact a faculty member of the Physics Department early for advice and planning. For the Ph.D. degree, the program must meet the approval of the student's advisers in the two departments, the Head of the Physics Department, the Graduate Studies Committee of the Department of Mathematical Sciences, and the Dean of Graduate School. No student should feel that the completion of twelve credits of course work in the Physics Department automatically entitles the student to declare a minor in the subject.

All physics courses offered for a minor should be formal courses above 450, preferably in one or possibly two areas of concentration. Suggested areas of concentration and courses are the following. Other possibilities can be considered in consultation with a faculty member of the Physics Department.

CLASSICAL MECHANICS AND THERMAL PHYSICS: Phys 451, 452, 480, 551, 584

CLASSICAL ELECTRICITY AND MAGNETISM: Phys 461, 462, 561, 562

QUANTUM PHYSICS: Phys 454, 455, 456, 554, 555

MATHEMATICAL AND COMPUTATIONAL PHYSICS: Phys511, 512, 576, 676