Physics, PhD (Boston)

Source: https://catalog.northeastern.edu/graduate/science/physics/physics-phd/ Parent: https://catalog.northeastern.edu/graduate/phdprograms/

Complete all courses and requirements listed below unless otherwise indicated.

Milestones

Coursework\ Proficiency examinations (completed or exempted)\ Annual review\ Candidacy\ Preliminary research seminar proposal with proposed dissertation committee\ Preliminary research seminar talk\ Dissertation defense

Core Course Requirements1

Course List

 | Code | Title | Hours |

| --- | --- | --- | | PHYS 5318 | Principles of Experimental Physics | 4 | | PHYS 7210 | Introduction to Research in Physics (Take this repeatable course twice) | 0 | | PHYS 7301 | Classical Mechanics/Math Methods | 4 | | PHYS 7302 | Electromagnetic Theory | 4 | | PHYS 7305 | Statistical Physics | 4 | | PHYS 7315 | Quantum Theory 1 | 4 | | PHYS 7316 | Quantum Theory 2 | 4 | | PHYS 7321 | Computational Physics | 4 | | PHYS 9984 | Advanced Research | 1-8 |

Electives

Course List

 | Code | Title | Hours |

| --- | --- | --- | | Introductory Electives | | | | If preapproved to specialize in nanomedicine or network science, consult program director. | | | | Complete 8 semester hours from the following: | | 8 | | PHYS 7322 | Nonequilibrium Physics | | | PHYS 7323 | Elementary Particle Physics | | | PHYS 7324 | Condensed Matter Physics | | | PHYS 7325 | Quantum Field Theory 1 | | | PHYS 7731 | Physics of Biological Processes and Living Systems 1 | | | Advanced Elective | | | | Complete 4 semester hours from the following: | | 4 | | PHYS 7733 | Topics: Elementary Particle Physics and Cosmology | | | PHYS 7734 | Topics: Condensed Matter Physics | | | PHYS 7741 | Physics of Biological Processes and Living Systems 2 | |

PhD Specialization Options

• A specialization is required.2
• Courses completed in fulfillment of a specialization may also fulfill the elective requirements above.
• A specialization in nanomedicine or network science requires prior approval.

Course List

 | Code | Title | Hours |

| --- | --- | --- | | Biological Physics 3 | | | | PHYS 7731 | Physics of Biological Processes and Living Systems 1 | 4 | | PHYS 7741 | Physics of Biological Processes and Living Systems 2 | 4 | | Particle Physics 4 | | | | PHYS 7323 | Elementary Particle Physics | 4 | | PHYS 7733 | Topics: Elementary Particle Physics and Cosmology | 4 | | Condensed Matter Physics | | | | PHYS 7324 | Condensed Matter Physics | 4 | | PHYS 7734 | Topics: Condensed Matter Physics | 4 | | Nanomedicine | | | | NNMD 5270 | Foundations in Nanomedicine: Therapeutics | 3 | | NNMD 5370 | Nanomedicine Research Techniques | 4 | | Network Science | | | | PHYS 5116 | Network Science 1 | 4 | | PHYS 7335 | Dynamical Processes in Complex Networks | 4 |

Dissertation

Course List

 | Code | Title | Hours |

| --- | --- | --- | | Taken third year and beyond. | | | | PHYS 9990 | Dissertation Term 1 | | | PHYS 9991 | Dissertation Term 2 | | | Complete the following (repeatable) course until graduation: | | | | PHYS 9996 | Dissertation Continuation | |

Program Credit/GPA Requirements

42 total semester hours required\ Minimum 3.000 GPA required

1 : Methods for Teaching in the Introductory Physics Laboratory 1 (PHYS 7220) and Methods for Teaching Introductory Physics Laboratory 2 (PHYS 7230) are required for students awarded a Teaching Assistantship.

2 : Note that the specialization will not appear on the degree diploma or on the official transcript but can be listed as the field of study on CVs and grant proposals. The two courses under specialization include one of the electives previously listed above.

3 : By approval of the graduate committee, biological physics students may substitute graduate courses in biology, physics, or chemistry from the following list instead of Physics of Biological Processes and Living Systems 2 (PHYS 7741):

- Biochemistry ([BIOL 6300](https://catalog.northeastern.edu/search/?P=BIOL%206300 "BIOL 6300"))
- Molecular Cell Biology ([BIOL 6301](https://catalog.northeastern.edu/search/?P=BIOL%206301 "BIOL 6301"))
- Molecular Modeling ([CHEM 5638](https://catalog.northeastern.edu/search/?P=CHEM%205638 "CHEM 5638"))
- Additional appropriate courses may also be substituted by approval of the physics graduate committee.

4 : Elementary Particle Physics (PHYS 7323) is required for a specialization in particle physics. The advanced elective may be Topics: Elementary Particle Physics and Cosmology (PHYS 7733).

Sample Plan of Study

Fall Term Entrance1

1 : Program completed with successful submission and defense of dissertation.