Program Description
The Physics doctoral program offers research opportunities in condensed matter physics, physics of nanostructured devices, surface science, optical physics, complex systems, biophysics, atomic and molecular physics, physics education and planetary/space science. The program intends to provide a broad base in experimental and theoretical physics.
The rules and recommendations below do not apply to the Planetary Sciences track of the Physics PhD program.
Program Tracks
- Physics PhD, Planetary Sciences Track
Curriculum
The Physics PhD program requires a total of 72 credit hours for completion. A specific set of six required core courses (18 credit hours), thirteen elective courses (39 credit hours, which may include directed research), and a minimum of 15 credit hours of dissertation are part of the 72 hours.
Total Credit Hours Required: 72 Credit Hours Minimum beyond the Bachelor’s Degree. 42 Credit Hours Minimum beyond the Master’s Degree.
Of the 39 credit hours of elective courses, 9 credit hours must be formal courses and 3 credit hours must be in a methods course selected from a list approved by the Physics department (see below). The remaining 27 credit hours need to be a combination of directed research, other electives, and/or dissertation. Courses must be selected so that at least one-half of the required 72 hours are taken at the 6000 level.
Required Core Courses: 18 Credit Hours
All students are required to take the following core courses:
- PHY 5606 - Quantum Mechanics I 3 Credit Hours
- PHY 6624 - Quantum Mechanics II 3 Credit Hours
- PHY 5346 - Electrodynamics I 3 Credit Hours
- PHY 6347 - Electrodynamics II 3 Credit Hours
- PHY 5524 - Statistical Physics 3 Credit Hours
- PHY 6246 - Classical Mechanics 3 Credit Hours
Elective Courses: 39 Credit Hours
Elective and research courses are determined by the student’s chosen specialization as listed below:
Formal Courses: 9 Credit Hours
Students must complete three formal courses (9 credit hours) from the “List of Specialization Courses”.
Methods Course: 3 Credit Hours
Students must complete one methods course (3 credit hours) from the following list:
- PHZ 5156 - Computational Physics 3 Credit Hours
- AST 5765C - Advanced Astronomical Data Analysis 3 Credit Hours
- PHY 5937 - Nano-Electronics 3 Credit Hours
Remaining Electives: 27 Credit Hours
Students must complete 27 credit hours of unrestricted electives, which may consist of formal courses, research, and/or dissertation hours. Students should consult with their adviser about selections for the remaining unrestricted electives.
List of Specialization Courses:
General Physics Specialization
The General Physics Specialization emphasizes strong preparation in physics fundamentals. It is intended to prepare students for careers in theoretical physics or teaching at the college level. A number of active research programs exist in the department to accommodate such students.
Recommended Courses
- COT 5600 - Quantum Computing 3 Credit Hours
- PHY 5933 - Selected topics in biophysics of macromolecules 3 Credit Hours
- PHZ 5156 - Computational Physics 3 Credit Hours
- PHZ 5405 - Condensed Matter Physics 3 Credit Hours
- PHZ 6426 - Condensed Matter Physics I 3 Credit Hours
- PHZ 6428 - Condensed Matter Physics II 3 Credit Hours
- PHY 6667 - Quantum Field Theory I 3 Credit Hours
- PHY 7669 - Quantum Field Theory II 3 Credit Hours
- PHZ 5505 - Plasma Physics 3 Credit Hours
- PHZ 5304 - Nuclear and Particle Physics 3 Credit Hours
- PHZ 6234 - Atomic Physics 3 Credit Hours
- PHZ 6420 - First Principles Computational Methods in Condensed Matter Physics 3 Credit Hours
- PHY 6600C - Theory and Computations of Molecular Wavefunctions 3 Credit Hours
- PHY 6938 - Selected Topics in Scattering Theory 3 Credit Hours
- PHY 6938 - Special Topics: Electrodynamics III 3 credit hours
- OSE 5312 - Light Matter Interaction 3 Credit Hours
- OSE 6347 - Quantum Optics 3 Credit Hours
- PHY 7919 - Doctoral Directed Research
Condensed Matter Physics Specialization
The Condensed Matter Physics Specialization is intended to prepare students for careers in materials physics, nanoscale science and technology, semiconductors, and soft condensed matter physics. It emphasizes strong experimental preparation with hands-on courses in advanced materials characterization and processing instrumentation. Related research programs at UCF include magnetic nanostructures, soft condensed matter, electronic and optoelectronic devices, and nanoscale characterization.
Recommended Courses
- PHZ 5405 - Condensed Matter Physics 3 Credit Hours
- PHZ 6426 - Condensed Matter Physics I 3 Credit Hours
- PHZ 6428 - Condensed Matter Physics II 3 Credit Hours
- PHZ 5156 - Computational Physics 3 Credit Hours
- PHZ 6420 - First Principles Computational Methods in Condensed Matter Physics 3 Credit Hours
- PHZ 5432 - Introduction to Soft Condensed Matter Physics 3 Credit Hours
- PHY 5933 - Selected topics in biophysics of macromolecules 3 Credit Hours
- PHY 6667 - Quantum Field Theory I 3 Credit Hours
- PHY 7669 - Quantum Field Theory II 3 Credit Hours
- COT 5600 - Quantum Computing 3 Credit Hours
- PHY 6938 - Theory and Computation of Molecular Wave Functions 3 Credit Hours
- PHY 6938 - Selected Topics in Scattering Theory 3 Credit Hours
- Two “studio lab” courses: PHY 5140C - Ion-solid interactions (3 credit hours) and PHZ 5425C - Electron Solid Interactions (3 credit hours)
- Other courses from Materials Science, Physics, Optical Science and Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or Industrial Chemistry require approval of the student’s adviser and the graduate program director.
Optical Physics Specialization
The Optics Specialization coordinator is David Hagan, PhD, College of Optics and Photonics. Students are recommended to take at least one of the following courses.
- OSE 6111 - Optical Wave Propagation 3 Credit Hours
- OSE 5115 - Interference and Diffraction 3 Credit Hours
Laboratory Course
Select at least one of the following laboratory courses.
- OSE 6526C - Laser Engineering Laboratory 3 Credit Hours
- OSE 6455C - Photonics Laboratory 3 Credit Hours
The remaining courses (up to three) may be selected from other graduate courses in Optics (see www.creol.ucf.edu).
Dissertation: 15 Credit Hours Minimum
All students must complete a minimum of 15 credit hours of dissertation prepared in consultation with a dissertation adviser. A fifteen-page written proposal is presented orally to the student’s dissertation committee within one year after the written candidacy exam. The final oral defense of the dissertation is administered by the student’s dissertation committee following completion of a written dissertation describing the student’s research.
- PHY 7980 - Dissertation Research 15 Credit Hours
Seminar Attendance
Students in their fourth semester and beyond will be required to attend a major fraction of seminars and colloquia hosted by the Physics Department, as well as to make an annual presentation of their research work or independent study.
Examinations
Placement Exam—All incoming PhD students in Physics will be required to take a diagnostic test similar to the Physics subject GRE. This test has placement purposes only, allowing the Graduate Program Director and academic adviser to identify possible weaknesses in the student’s background and help devise a suitable plan of study. There is no passing or failure.
Candidacy Exam—The candidacy exam consists of two parts.
Part 1 is a written exam covering topics such as those listed in the Graduate Catalog for the courses PHY 5606 - Quantum Mechanics I, PHY 6624 - Quantum Mechanics II, PHY 5346 - Electrodynamics I, PHY 6347 - Electrodynamics II, PHY 5524 - Statistical Physics, and PHY 6246 - Classical Mechanics. Students are expected to show mastering of these topics at or above the undergraduate level. The written exam should be taken immediately after the core courses have been completed. After passing the written exam, the student should identify a research supervisor and a dissertation committee must be put in place with the approval of the graduate program director. Students are only allowed two attempts at passing the written part of the candidacy exam.
Part 2 is an oral exam that combines an examination of the student’s command of Physics and a written dissertation proposal. The oral exam should be taken no later than one year after the written exam has been satisfied.
Admission to Candidacy
The following are required to obtain candidacy status and enroll in dissertation hours:
- Completion of a minimum 30 credit hours to include all required core courses, 18 credit hours of core courses, 3 credit hours of Methods Course, and 9 credit hours of formal electives. (Directed Research and Dissertation hours are not included) *Note: For students that transfer from a doctoral program post-candidacy, a minimum 9 credit hours enrollment in their first semester is required in order to satisfy the UCF earned non-zero GPA.
- Successful completion of both part I (written exam) and part II (oral exam) of the candidacy exam.
- The dissertation advisory committee is formed, consisting of a chair, approved graduate faculty and graduate faculty scholars.
- Submittal of an approved program of study.
- Completion of CITI and RCR Workshops
Independent Learning
The Physics PhD program requires a doctoral dissertation. This will provide ample opportunities for students to gain independent learning experience through studying published research papers, conducting research and presenting their results in conferences and in peer-reviewed scientific journals.
Application Requirements
For information on general UCF graduate admissions requirements that apply to all prospective students, please visit the Admissions section of the Graduate Catalog. Applicants must apply online. All requested materials must be submitted by the established deadline.
In addition to the general UCF graduate application requirements, applicants to this program must provide:
- One official transcript (in a sealed envelope) from each college/university attended.
- Official, competitive GRE score taken within the last five years.
- NOTE: The GRE has been removed as an admission requirement for this graduate program for applicants applying Spring 2021 through the Fall 2021 term. This is a temporary measure in response to disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
- The Physics Subject Test of the GRE is recommended, but not required.
- Three letters of recommendation.
- Statement of goals. Please state in two paragraphs your interest in the UCF Physics program, specifying the research area of your interest, including Faculty member(s) working in that area.
- Résumé.
- Applicants to this program, except those that have earned or will earn a Masters or Doctoral degree from an accredited U.S. institution recognized by UCF, who have attended a college/university outside the United States must provide a course-by-course credential evaluation with GPA calculation. Credential evaluations are accepted from World Education Services (WES) or Josef Silny and Associates, Inc. only.
Students entering the Physics graduate program with regular status are normally expected to have completed course work generally required for a bachelor’s degree in physics, including mechanics, electricity and magnetism, thermal and statistical physics, and quantum mechanics.
Meeting minimum UCF admission criteria does not guarantee program admission. Final admission is based on evaluation of the applicant’s abilities, past performance, recommendations, match of this program and faculty expertise to the applicant’s career/academic goals, and the applicant’s potential for completing the degree.
Application Deadlines
| Physics PhD | *Fall Priority | Fall | Spring | Summer |
| Domestic Applicants | Jan 15 | Jul 1 | Dec 1 |
| International Applicants | Jan 15 | Jan 15 | Jul 1 |
| *Applicants who plan to enroll full time in a degree program and who wish to be considered for university fellowships or assistantships should apply by the Fall Priority date. |
Financials
Graduate students may receive financial assistance through fellowships, assistantships, tuition support, or loans. For more information, see the College of Graduate Studies Funding website, which describes the types of financial assistance available at UCF and provides general guidance in planning your graduate finances. The Financial Information section of the Graduate Catalog is another key resource.
Fellowships
Fellowships are awarded based on academic merit to highly qualified students. They are paid to students through the Office of Student Financial Assistance, based on instructions provided by the College of Graduate Studies. Fellowships are given to support a student’s graduate study and do not have a work obligation. For more information, see UCF Graduate Fellowships, which includes descriptions of university fellowships and what you should do to be considered for a fellowship.
