Physics
211 Interdisciplinary Sciences Building
(831) 459-3744
http://physics.ucsc.edu
Program Description
Physics seeks to discover the fundamental regularities or “laws” that govern our universe and to apply these laws to explain the behavior of fundamental and complex systems. The same underlying principles describe the behavior of atoms, lasers, living cells, and galaxies. Physics is, therefore, at the base of all modern science and technology, and this fundamental nature can be appreciated even at an elementary level.
The Physics Department offers majors in physics, physics (astrophysics), and applied physics. These programs prepare students for graduate work in physics, astrophysics, and astronomy, and for engineering and other technical positions in industry. With appropriate courses in other disciplines, these majors provide excellent preparation for advanced study in technical subjects such as biology, chemistry, engineering, geophysics, and the philosophy of science. The applied physics major is excellent preparation for positions in industry directly upon graduation.
Faculty are approachable to work with students in both formal and informal settings. All undergraduate physics majors have the opportunity to work individually with a faculty member in completing the senior thesis requirement for the major.
The main areas of physics research at UCSC are the study of fundamental particles and interactions (high-energy physics), the study of condensed matter physics, materials physics, astrophysics/cosmology, and biophysics.
Efforts in high-energy physics are aided by the presence of an organized research unit, the Santa Cruz Institute for Particle Physics (SCIPP). The SCIPP experimentalists play significant roles in experiments at some of the major accelerator laboratories in the world, including the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory at Stanford University and the European Council for Nuclear Research (CERN) near Geneva, Switzerland. SCIPP experimentalists have also played an important role in creating the major satellite for gamma-ray astronomy (the Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope), are involved in the Dark Energy Survey, and conduct a thriving particle astrophysics program detecting TeV gamma rays as part of the UC VERITAS collaboration. SCIPP theorists are active in the phenomenology of high-energy particle interactions, including dark matter models, the theory of strong and electroweak interactions, electroweak symmetry breaking and Higgs bosons, theories of supersymmetry, superstrings, and gravity. SCIPP also maintains a vigorous program in particle astrophysics, including research in high-energy astrophysics, dark matter, formation of galaxies and large-scale structure in the universe, and theories of cosmology and the very early universe. SCIPP is also home to a research program in experimental biophysics, exploiting instrumentation technologies developed in other areas of physics for the study of functional organization and development of neural systems in a variety of living organisms. In addition, there is closely related research in biomedical applications such as retinal prosthesis.
The presence of the strong astrophysics group from the Astronomy and Astrophysics Department at UCSC provides a healthy symbiosis in this area. Note that the Astronomy and Astrophysics Department does not offer an undergraduate major but does participate in teaching and mentoring Physics Department astrophysics majors. UCSC is the headquarters for the University of California Observatories, which includes the Lick Observatory near San Jose and the Keck Observatory in Hawaii. These provide additional opportunities for collaboration between researchers in physics and astronomy.
Condensed matter and materials physics research at UCSC covers a range of topics including the behavior of exotic many-electron systems (for example, superconductors) and quantum materials (such as topological insulators and Weyl semimetals); magnetic phase transitions; magnetic and magnetoelectric surfaces, interfaces, and thin films; two-dimensional materials and heterostructures; complex systems (proteins, DNA, and polymers); biophysics; and the development of new electronic devices using novel materials. The experimental program includes optical, magnetometry, magnetotransport, X-ray, and specific heat measurement techniques, as well as thin film growth and characterization facilities at UCSC. X-ray and synchrotron radiation scattering and spectroscopy measurements are available at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory Advanced Light Source and at the Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Light-source, while neutron scattering measurements are performed at the NIST Center for Neutron Research and the Oak Ridge Spallation Neutron Source. Undergraduate students are actively involved in several condensed matter physics laboratories during the academic year and summer months.
Undergraduate Program
Undergraduate Majors
The physics, physics (astrophysics), and applied physics major programs provide a comprehensive coverage of the field and the background necessary for graduate school or industrial careers. Students earn a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree. The UCSC physics, physics (astrophysics), and applied physics programs begin with a four-quarter presentation of the introductory concepts of the subject, Introduction to Physics, PHYS 5A, 5B, 5C, and 5D. Note that the applied physics program also requires completion of a general chemistry course. In order for a student to finish the UCSC physics program in four years, it is important to start the Introduction to Physics sequence at the beginning of the first year. Students who complete a major sponsored by the Physics Department cannot complete a second major sponsored by the Physics Department or a physics minor.
This introductory sequence is followed by a course that provides an introduction to quantum physics and its applications, Modern Physics, PHYS 102. The programs continue with a three-quarter sequence in mathematical methods of physics, PHYS 116A, 116B, and 116C, designed to provide the mathematics preparation necessary for most of the upper-division physics courses required for the majors. Included in the upper-division programs are two intensive laboratory courses designed to illustrate both historical experiments that were important in the development of physics, astrophysics, and applied physics, and modern experimental methods. Advanced and especially motivated students may enroll in some graduate courses with the approval of the instructor and department chair.
The senior thesis, required of all physics, physics (astrophysics), and applied physics majors at UCSC, provides the opportunity for students to apply their skills to problems of interest to them, either theoretical or experimental, usually with technical advice from a faculty member. The senior thesis may be based on the student’s original research or participation in a faculty member’s research project or a review of some particular area of physics, under the supervision of a faculty member. The senior thesis is a distinctive part of the UCSC physics major program and entails a substantial investment of both student and faculty time. The learning experience involved in the thesis, as well as the thesis itself, has proven extremely valuable to students in enhancing employment opportunities upon graduation or in gaining admission to graduate school.
Program Learning Outcomes
Learning outcomes summarize the most important knowledge, skills, abilities, and attitudes that students are expected to develop over the course of their studies. The program learning outcomes communicate the faculty’s expectations to students, provide a framework for faculty evaluation of the curriculum based on empirical data, and help improve and measure the impact of implemented changes.
Physics, Astrophysics, and Applied Physics Majors
Program Learning Outcomes:
- Students will demonstrate proficiency in mathematics and the mathematical concepts needed for a proper understanding of physics.
- Students will demonstrate knowledge of classical and quantum mechanics, statistical mechanics, and electromagnetism.
- Students will show that they have learned laboratory skills, enabling them to take measurements in a physics laboratory and analyze the measurements to draw valid conclusions.
- Students will communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, and will demonstrate that they can think critically and work independently while doing their senior thesis.
- Students will demonstrate a basic understanding of various aspects of astronomy. (physics [astrophysics] major only.)
Advising and Preparation for the Major
Students begin the major with PHYS 5A, after having completed MATH 19A or equivalent. To enroll in PHYS 5A, students must be in a proposed major that requires the Physics 5 series. (Students who take PHYS 6A instead of PHYS 5A, and do very well in it, may contact the department chair for permission to enter the major.) Students are strongly encouraged to begin their major coursework in their first quarter. Those who start later should consult the department undergraduate adviser and the Alternatives webpage. Students who do not begin the lower-division requirements during their first year will have difficulty completing the program within four years.
The department undergraduate adviser works closely with students interested in pursuing the major to ensure that they begin the program immediately and follow the appropriate steps toward its completion.
High school students coming directly to UCSC should emphasize their mathematics preparation with the expectation that they will take calculus, MATH 19A, before their second quarter at UCSC in order to take the Physics 5 series in time. Students who come to UCSC with credit for MATH 19A will be able to start the Physics 5 series in the first quarter. The courses in the PHYS 5 and PHYS 6 series are offered multiple times per year.
Letter Grade Policy
For all students entering UCSC in fall 2009 and later, all courses used to satisfy any of the physics major requirements must be taken for a letter grade, except the programming requirement and (for the applied physics major) chemistry.
Major Qualification Policy
The Department of Physics has a qualification policy that applies to the following majors:
- Applied physics B.S.
- Physics (astrophysics) B.S.
- Physics B.S.
To qualify to declare any of the above majors, students must achieve a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.70 or greater in the following courses, or their equivalents:
PHYS 5A, Introductory Physics I
PHYS 5B, Introductory Physics II
PHYS 5C, Introductory Physics IIIWhen determining qualification to declare the major:
- All courses must be taken for a letter grade.
- If PHYS 5A is satisfied with AP credit based on an AP examination score of 5, students may substitute a grade of A for PHYS 5A when calculating their cumulative GPA.
- Students with two or more grades of NP, C-, D+, D, D-, or F in the major qualification policy courses are not eligible to declare even if the courses are retaken and the grades replaced.
Students who achieve a GPA of 2.66 or higher (but less than 2.70) in the three courses may declare the major if they receive a B or better in Physics 5D.
Transfer Students
The Physics Department welcomes applications from community college students who have completed the necessary coursework to transfer to our program.
To be considered for admission to UCSC as a participant in any of the physics majors, transfer students must pass equivalents of the following courses with a cumulative GPA of 2.7 or higher:
PHYS 5A, Introductory Physics I
PHYS 5B, Introductory Physics II
PHYS 5C, Introductory Physics III
In addition, transfer students must achieve a minimum grade of C (2.0) in courses articulated to MATH 19A, 19B, and 23A.
For more information on qualifying for the major as a transfer applicant, visit: Major Preparation Selection Criteria webpage.
Students planning to transfer to UCSC from a California community college should reference http://assist.org/ to determine which courses are equivalent to these required courses.
California community college students who are prepared for their major and achieve a certain GPA may be eligible for a transfer admissions guarantee (TAG); for more information, visit the TAG website.
Declaration of the Major
Students may submit a petition to declare after completing the qualification policy courses. All students are required to review their academic plan with their assigned faculty mentor prior to declaring the major. For instructions on petitioning to declare, go the Declaring Your Major webpage.
Students who are informed that they are not eligible to declare the major may appeal this decision by submitting a letter to the department chair by the later date of either 15 days from the date the notification was sent, or one week after the start of instruction during the quarter after the final relevant grade was received (generally in PHYS 5C or 5D). They also must arrange to meet with their faculty mentor. Within 15 days of receipt of the appeal, after consulting with the faculty mentor, the department chair will either finalize the denial of admission or specify further conditions for admission, and will notify the student and their college of the decision. For more information about the appeal process, see the Appeal Process website.
Timely Graduation and Alternative Plans
- In order to graduate in time, it is extremely important that students start their senior thesis as early as possible, by the end of the junior year for 4-year students and by the beginning of the second year for transfer students. PHYS 182 is a course that teaches students effective writing in physics for the senior thesis, but it is not the point at which the thesis should be started. For further information about the senior thesis, see the Senior Thesis webpage.
- PHYS 182 is offered in the fall, winter, and spring academic terms, and may be taken in any term.
- Students who join a major program of the Physics Department with some of the required courses completed, or have room in their program for additional courses, should consult with the Physics Department undergraduate adviser.
- Students who fall behind the planners should consult the Physics Department undergraduate adviser and the Alternatives webpage.
- Lab courses: PHYS 133 is offered in the fall and winter terms. PHYS 134 (for physics B.S. and applied physics B.S. majors) is offered in the winter and spring terms. PHYS 135 for physics (astrophysics) B.S. majors is offered in the fall or, in some academic years depending on astronomical conditions, as a multiple-term course. PHYS 136 is an alternative to PHYS 135 that is offered in the spring term. Capacity in the lab courses is limited, and they should be taken as early as possible.
- All the transfer major planners shown below assume that IGETC has been completed in community college, or has been partially completed and can be finished while at UCSC (including summers).
- PHYS 116A is waived for students who have obtained a grade of B or better in a course articulated to MATH 21 and in a course articulated to MATH 24.
- PHYS 116C is waived for students who are pursuing a dual major in physics and computational mathematics and take MATH 107 in the year 2017 or later.
Physics B.S.
Requirements of the Major
Lower-Division Requirements
Calculus: MATH 19A or 20A, and MATH 19B or 20B
Vector Calculus: MATH 23A and 23B
Introductory Physics: PHYS 5A/L, 5B/M, 5C/N, and 5D
Programming: CMPS 5J, 5P, or higher level programming course; or ASTR/EART 119 or PHYS 115; or equivalent
Upper-Division Requirements
Modern Physics: PHYS 102
Mathematical Methods: PHYS 116A, 116B, and 116C
Mechanics: PHYS 105
Electricity, Magnetism, and Optics: PHYS 110A and 110B
Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics: PHYS 112
Intermediate and Advanced Laboratory: PHYS 133 and 134
Quantum Mechanics: PHYS 139A
Electives
Two courses, each 5 credits or more, chosen from upper-division elective courses offered by the Physics Department or Astronomy and Astrophysics courses 111 through 118. In some cases, one of the elective requirements may be satisfied by an approved upper-division science or engineering course.
Senior Thesis Requirement
PHYS 182 and senior thesis
Physics B.S.: Freshman Academic Plan
| Fall | Winter | Spring | |
| 1st (frosh) |
MATH 19A (or 20A) | MATH 19B (or 20B) | MATH 23A |
| PHYS 5A/L* | PHYS 5B/M | ||
| 2nd (soph) |
MATH 23B |
PHYS 102 | PHYS 116B |
|
PHYS 5C/N |
PHYS 116A | Programming requirement |
|
| PHYS 5D | |||
| 3rd (junior) |
PHYS 105 | PHYS 110A | PHYS 110B |
| PHYS 116C | PHYS 112 | PHYS 139A | |
| PHYS 133 | PHYS 134 | ||
| 4th (senior) |
PHYS 182 | ||
| Elective | Elective |
*Students who complete the equivalent of MATH 19A before coming to UCSC can take the PHYS 5A, 5B, 5C courses and the MATH 19B, 23A, 23B courses in their first year.
Physics B.S. Transfer Academic Plan One
For students who have completed the equivalent of Physics 5D:
| Fall | Winter | Spring | |
| 1st (junior) |
MATH 23B | PHYS 112 | Programming requirement |
| PHYS 102 | PHYS 116A | PHYS 116B | |
| AMS 5 or 131* | PHYS 133 | PHYS 134 | |
| 2nd (senior) |
PHYS 105 | PHYS 110A | PHYS 110B |
| PHYS 116C | PHYS 139A | ||
| PHYS 182 | Elective | Elective |
*Not required for the major, but needed in order to take PHYS 112 next term
Students who wish to do a more demanding senior thesis or seek greater flexibility in choosing electives may consider delaying graduation.
Physics B.S. Transfer Academic Plan Two
For students who have not completed the equivalent of Physics 5D:
| Fall | Winter | Spring | |
| 1st Year |
MATH 23B | PHYS 102 | PHYS 116B |
| PHYS 5D | PHYS 116A | PHYS 134 | |
| Programming requirement |
PHYS 133 | ||
| 2nd Year |
PHYS 105 | PHYS 110A | PHYS 110B |
| PHYS 116C | PHYS 112 | PHYS 139A | |
| PHYS 182 | Elective | ||
| 3rd Year |
Elective |
Physics (Astrophysics) B.S.
Requirements of the Major
Lower-Division Requirements
Calculus: MATH 19A or 20A and 19B or 20B
Vector Calculus: MATH 23A and 23B
Introductory Physics: PHYS 5A/L, 5B/M, 5C/N, and 5D
Programming: ASTR/EART 119 (recommended); or CMPS 5J, 5P, or higher level programming course; or PHYS 115; or equivalent
Upper-Division Requirements
Modern Physics: PHYS 102
Mathematical Methods: PHYS 116A, 116B, and 116C
Mechanics: PHYS 105
Electricity, Magnetism, and Optics: PHYS 110A and 110B
Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics: PHYS 112
Intermediate Laboratory: PHYS 133
Advanced Laboratory: PHYS 135 or (PHYS 135A and 135B) or PHYS 136
Quantum Mechanics: PHYS 139A
Electives
Complete three courses, each 5 credits or more, chosen from the following:
ASTR 111, Order-of-Magnitude Astrophysics
ASTR 112, Physics of Stars
ASTR 113, Introduction to Cosmology
ASTR 117, High Energy Astrophysics
ASTR 118, Physics of Planetary Systems
ASTR 257, Modern Astronomical Techniques
ASTR/PHYS 171, General Relativity, Black Holes, and Cosmology
PHYS 129, Nuclear and Particle Astrophysics
EART 160, Planetary Science
EART 162, Planetary Interiors
EART 163, Planetary Surfaces
EART 164, Planetary Atmospheres
Senior Thesis Requirement
PHYS 182 and senior thesis
Physics (Astrophysics) B.S.: Freshman Academic Plan
| Fall | Winter | Spring | |
| 1st (frosh) |
MATH 19A (or 20A) | MATH 19B (or 20B) | MATH 23A |
| PHYS 5A/L* | PHYS 5B/M | ||
| 2nd (soph) |
MATH 23B | PHYS 102 | PHYS 116B |
| PHYS 5D | PHYS 116A | ||
| PHYS 5C/N | ASTR 119 | ||
| 3rd (junior) |
PHYS 105 |
PHYS 110A | PHYS 110B |
| PHYS 116C | PHYS 112 | PHYS 139A | |
| PHYS 133 | Elective | Elective/PHYS 136 | |
| 4th (senior) |
PHYS 182 | Elective | |
| PHYS 135/Elective |
*Students who complete the equivalent of MATH 19A before coming to UCSC can take the PHYS 5A, 5B, 5C courses and the MATH 19B, 23A, 23B courses in their first year.
Physics (Astrophysics) B.S.: Transfer Academic Plan One
For students who have completed the equivalent of Physics 5D.
| Fall | Winter | Spring | |
| 1st (junior) |
MATH 23B | PHYS 133 | PHYS 136/Elective |
| PHYS 102 | PHYS 116A | PHYS 116B | |
| ASTR 119 | Elective | Elective | |
| 2nd (senior) |
PHYS 105 | PHYS 110A | PHYS 110B |
| PHYS 116C | PHYS 112 | PHYS 139A | |
| PHYS 135/Elective | PHYS 182 |
Students who wish to do a more demanding senior thesis or seek greater flexibility in choosing electives may consider delaying graduation.
Physics (Astrophysics) B.S.: Transfer Academic Plan Two
For students who have not completed the equivalent of Physics 5D.
| Fall | Winter | Spring | |
| 1st Year |
MATH 23B | PHYS 102 | PHYS 136/Elective |
| PHYS 5D | PHYS 116A | PHYS 116B | |
| ASTR 119 | PHYS 133 | ||
| 2nd Year |
PHYS 105 | PHYS 110A | PHYS 110B |
| PHYS 116C | PHYS 112 | Elective | |
| PHYS 182/PHYS 135 | Elective/PHYS 182 | PHYS 139A | |
| 3rd Year |
Elective |
Applied Physics B.S.
Requirements of the Major
Lower-Division Requirements
Calculus: MATH 19A, or 20A and MATH 19B or 20B
Vector Calculus: MATH 23A and 23B
Introductory Physics: PHYS 5A/L, 5B/M, 5C/N, and 5D
General Chemistry: CHEM 1A or 1B
Programming: CMPS 5J, 5P, or higher level programming course; or ASTR/EART 119 or PHYS 115; or equivalent
Upper-Division Requirements
Modern Physics: PHYS 102
Mathematical Methods: PHYS 116A, 116B, and 116C
Mechanics: PHYS 105
Electricity, Magnetism, and Optics: PHYS 110A and 110B
Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics: PHYS 112
Intermediate and Advanced Laboratory: PHYS 133 and 134
Electives
Complete three courses, each 5 credits or more, chosen from the following:
PHYS/AMS 107, Introduction to Fluid Dynamics
PHYS 115, Computational Physics
PHYS 120, Polymer Physics
PHYS 139A, Quantum Physics
PHYS 139B, Quantum Physics
PHYS 152, Optoelectronics
PHYS 155, Solid State Physics
PHYS 156, Applications of Solid State Physics
PHYS 160, Practical Electronics
PHYS 180, Biophysics
Courses from other departments listed at the Approved Electives webpage or other courses with approval of the undergraduate faculty adviser.
Senior Thesis Requirement
PHYS 182 and senior thesis
Applied Physics B.S.: Freshman Academic Plan
Plan 1: For students who place into MATH 19A or MATH 20A.
| Fall | Winter | Spring | |
| 1st (frosh) |
MATH 19A or 20A | MATH 19B or 20B | MATH 23A |
| PHYS 5A/L* | PHYS 5B/M | ||
| CHEM 1A/B | |||
| 2nd (soph) |
MATH 23B |
PHYS 102 | Programming requirement |
| PHYS 5C/N | PHYS 116A | PHYS 116B | |
| PHYS 5D | |||
| 3rd (junior) |
PHYS 105 | PHYS 110A | PHYS 110B |
| PHYS 116C | PHYS 112 | Elective/PHYS 160 | |
| PHYS 133 | PHYS 134/Elective | ||
| 4th (senior) |
PHYS 182 | Elective | |
| Elective |
*Students who complete the equivalent of MATH 19A before coming to UCSC can take the PHYS 5A, 5B, 5C courses and the MATH 19B, 23A, 23B courses in their first year.
Applied Physics B.S.: Transfer Academic Plan One
For students who have completed the equivalent of Physics 5D.
| Fall | Winter | Spring | |
| 1st (junior) |
MATH 23B | PHYS 133 | PHYS 134/PHYS 160 |
| PHYS 102 | PHYS 116A | PHYS 116B | |
| Programming requirement |
Elective | CHEM 1A/B | |
| 2nd (senior) |
PHYS 105 | PHYS 110A | PHYS 110B |
| PHYS 116C | PHYS 112 | Elective | |
| PHYS 182 | Elective |
Students who wish to do a more demanding senior thesis or seek greater flexibility in choosing electives may consider delaying graduation.
Applied Physics B.S.: Transfer Academic Plan Two
For students who have not completed the equivalent of Physics 5D.
| Fall | Winter | Spring | |
| 1st Year |
MATH 23B | PHYS 102 | CHEM 1A/B |
| PHYS 5D | PHYS 116A | PHYS 116B | |
| Programming requirement |
PHYS 133 | PHYS 134/PHYS 160 | |
| 2nd Year |
PHYS 105 | PHYS 110A | PHYS 110B |
| PHYS 116C | PHYS 112 | Elective | |
| PHYS 182 | Elective | ||
| 3rd Year |
Elective |
Programming Requirement
Students in the Physics B.S., Physics (Astrophysics) B.S., and Applied Physics B.S. majors have to satisfy a computer programming requirement by taking one of the courses listed in the major requirements given above. Of these courses, ASTR/EART 119 teaches programming and simple applications. PHYS 115 does not teach programming; it assumes basic programming ability in Python, C++ or a similar language and discusses numerical techniques relevant to physics. The other courses listed teach programming. Students may also satisfy the computer programming requirement by demonstrating their knowledge of programming to a faculty member designated by the Physics Department. For instructions on how to demonstrate your programming skills, go to the Completing the Major webpage.
Disciplinary Communication (DC) Requirement
Students of every major must satisfy the upper-division Disciplinary Communication (DC) requirement. Students in Physics, Applied Physics, and Physics (Astrophysics), satisfy the DC requirement by completing Physics 182 and the senior thesis.
Comprehensive Requirement
The comprehensive exit requirement is normally satisfied by the submission and approval of a thesis. To satisfy the comprehensive requirement via a thesis Physics 182 is required.
In special cases, minor modifications of these requirements may be granted to suit the specific program of a particular student. Before embarking on a program needing such waivers, students should discuss their plans with their faculty mentor and seek approval by petition from the Physics Department office.
Honors
The department awards "honors" (3.5 grade point average or better) and "highest honors"(3.8 grade point average or better) to top graduating students each year. The department also awards "honors" for outstanding work on the senior thesis, made upon the recommendation of the senior thesis supervisor and the thesis technical adviser.
Minor Requirements
Requirements for the minor in physics are Physics 5A/L, 5B/M, 5C/N, (or Physics 6A/L, 6B/M, 6C/N with minimum GPA of 3.5), Physics 5D; Mathematics 19A or 20A, 19B or 20B, 23A and 23B; Physics 102, 133; and three courses chosen from physics upper-division elective (some of which have prerequisites), from a list of courses from other departments collected at the Approved Electives webpage, or from other courses with approval of the undergraduate faculty adviser. The elective courses cannot be offered by the department that sponsors the student’s major. Students who complete a major sponsored by the Physics Department cannot complete a second major sponsored by the Physics Department or a physics minor.
Graduate Programs
The Physics Department offers graduate programs leading to the Master of Science (M.S.) and/or the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degrees. In the first year of study, Ph.D. students are expected to take two core graduate-level courses per quarter, including the courses required for the Ph.D. degree (PHYS 210, 212, 214, 215, 216, 219) and other courses specific to the student’s field of interest. One or more of these first-year courses can be waived if students have taken equivalent graduate-level courses at their undergraduate institution. However, this requires that the course covers the material in the first-year courses syllabi, that the student obtained a satisfactory grade, and that the student passes the associated written qualifying exam. All first-year students also take PHYS 205, Introduction to Research. In addition, all graduate students also attend a weekly colloquium, PHYS 292. Each student has a faculty adviser who helps to determine which courses are most appropriate, taking into account the student’s background and interests. The student-faculty ratio is low so that M.S. and Ph.D. students can work closely with faculty and pursue programs that fit their individual needs. Research is currently conducted in theoretical and experimental particle physics, theoretical and experimental condensed matter physics (including materials physics and biophysics), and in theoretical and experimental/observational high-energy astrophysics (including cosmology).
All students in the Ph.D. program must pass a qualifying examination consisting of five written tests in the areas of Mathematical Methods for Physics, Classical Mechanics, Quantum Mechanics, Statistical Mechanics, and Electricity and Magnetism. Students have a first opportunity to take these five tests at the beginning of their first year. Once a student passes an examination in any one of the five areas they do not need to take an exam in that area again. If necessary, each student has a second opportunity to pass the written tests at the beginning of the second year. Students who have not passed three or more of the five written tests after two attempts must leave the Ph.D. route and are directed to the terminal master’s route. Students with one or two failed tests have a third opportunity to pass their remaining tests at the beginning of the winter quarter of their second year. If they fail any of the remaining tests at this third and last attempt, then they must leave the Ph.D. route and are directed to the terminal master’s route. All Ph.D. students must have satisfied the written qualifying examination requirement by the winter of their second year.
Second-year students take advanced graduate classes in their areas of research interest, within or outside the Physics department, and are strongly encouraged to start pursuing independent research. Once a well-formed outline and path to candidacy are defined by the student and their advisor(s) and sufficient research progress has been completed, students apply for their “advancement to candidacy,” consisting of an oral examination by a special committee. The committee includes a committee chair (which is typically the students’ main advisor, though another tenured faculty member could serve in this role) and three additional members, of which at least one tenured faculty member from outside the Physics Department. The scope of the oral exam is to demonstrate maturity and intellectual independence in pursuing research and sufficient control of the relevant background material to the main research project, in addition to outlining future steps and a path towards successful completion of a doctoral dissertation. The doctoral dissertation is presented in writing to a specially appointed committee of at least three faculty members, including the student’s advisor, and defended at an oral examination.
Students may obtain a master’s degree through coursework (eight physics graduate courses) and submission of an approved thesis. The thesis requirement may be waived by passing four sections of the written Ph.D. qualifying examination. Master’s candidates are encouraged to write a research thesis and may do so in any of the research fields in the program, thereby developing laboratory and computational skills in areas such as electronics design, computer simulation and visualization, cryogenics, X-ray scattering, complex novel materials and devices, or materials science. Each M.S. student is assigned a faculty adviser who helps to design a coursework plan suited to the interests of the student.
Physics students and faculty use a number of UCSC research facilities described at the beginning of this section and elsewhere in this catalog, including facilities of the Santa Cruz Institute for Particle Physics (SCIPP) and the UC Observatories (headquartered at UCSC). There is strong interaction with other disciplines, especially astronomy and astrophysics, biology, chemistry, Earth sciences, electrical engineering, and mathematics. Proximity to the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory and the Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Laboratory provides additional local research opportunities. UCSC faculty and graduate students also participate in research programs at CERN in Geneva, Los Alamos, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, NASA Ames, NREL, Lucent, Xerox, IBM, Bell Labs, and other national and international laboratories.
Application materials and brochures describing the physics M.S. and Ph.D. graduate programs in more detail may be obtained by visiting the Physics Department website or by contacting the Division of Graduate Studies.
Requirements for the Physics Ph.D. Program
-
Core set of first-year graduate level courses: PHYS 210, 212, 214, 215, 216, 219, in addition to two elective graduate level courses.
- First-year students are also required to take PHYS 205, Introduction to Research.
-
First-year and Second-year students are required to take PHYS 292, Weekly Physics Colloquium.
-
Written qualifying examinations: a set of five three-hour-long written tests on the following topics: Mathematical Methods for Physics, Statistical Mechanics, Classical Mechanics, Quantum Mechanics, Electricity and Magnetism. Students can attempt the tests at the beginning of their first year and at the beginning of their second year, if needed. A special winter session is available to students who have passed at least three written qualifying tests in the first two available sessions. Students who fail to pass all five examinations by the end of the special winter session, or who fail to pass at least three written tests by their second attempt, cannot continue in the Ph.D. program.
-
Oral qualifying examination: an oral examination where students present their path to candidacy, including progress in their research program and plans for completion of their graduate thesis. The oral examination is assessed by a committee chaired by a tenured faculty member of the Physics Department (typically the faculty advisor), and must include at least one member from outside the Physics Department. The chair of the Graduate Committee approves the proposed Oral Examination Committee.
-
Ph.D. thesis, in accordance with UCSC’s Graduate Division regulations.
-
Oral Ph.D. Thesis Defense: an oral presentation of the Ph.D. thesis and oral exam. The committee includes three faculty members and is usually, but not necessarily, appointed from members of the Oral Qualifying Exam Committee. The Chair of the committee must be a tenured faculty member of the Physics Department. The chair of the Graduate Committee approves the proposed Oral Ph.D. Thesis Defense Committee.
Five-year B.S./M.S. Pathway
The five-year combined B.S./M.S. in physics pathway provides highly motivated undergraduate majors the opportunity to earn a M.S. in a fifth post-baccalaureate year. The B.S./M.S. pathway provides the additional level of preparation and experience that students need to pursue careers in industry and government. Students in the B.S./M.S. physics pathway can pursue concentrations in materials and device physics, energy and the environment, computational physics, and medical biophysics.
Students apply to be admitted to the B.S./M.S. pathway, in consultation with their faculty or undergraduate adviser, no later than the end of the second quarter of the junior year. They should contact the Physics Department office for instructions on how to apply: they will work with the B.S./M.S. faculty coordinator to prepare the application, which is then reviewed by the department. Students will also go through a streamlined campus M.S. application process in their senior year.
To be accepted to the pathway, students will need to have demonstrated solid performance in general as well as in the major, as demonstrated by: 1) a G.P.A. in physics courses of at least 3.0; 2) an overall G.P.A .of at least 3.0; and 3) a recommendation from a faculty member attesting to the student’s promise for the M.S. degree in physics.
Requirements for the B.S./M.S. Program
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All requirements for a B.S. in physics, applied physics, or physics (astrophysics) apply, except the two upper-division elective courses, which are satisfied by the M.S. electives listed below and taken as an undergraduate.
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For the M.S. component of the B.S./M.S. a core set of four physics courses is required: PHYS 212, PHYS 215, PHYS 216 and PHYS 219.
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Four elective courses, chosen from one of the concentration areas described below. Typically, at least one of these electives will be another physics graduate course. One of the electives can be an upper division undergraduate course if approved by the B.S./M.S. faculty coordinator and the Physics Department Graduate Committee.
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An M.S. thesis, which may build on the student’s B.S. senior thesis.
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Courses can also serve to fulfill the elective requirement for the B.S. degree.
Concentration Areas for the B.S./M.S. Pathway
Materials and Device Physics
This concentration prepares students who are interested in pursuing industrial jobs in the areas of materials science, semiconductors, and optoelectronic devices.
Elective courses include AMS 205A, CHEM 261, CHEM 269, CMPE 218, CMPE 218L, EE 211, EE 223, EE 224 EE 225, EE 231, PHYS 231, PHYS 232, PHYS 233, PHYS 242.
Energy and the Environment
This concentration prepares students who are interested in pursuing industrial or government jobs in the areas of sustainable-energy technologies, environmental and climate change and scientific policy related to these areas.
Elective courses include CHEM 268, CHEM 269, EART 220, EART 254, EART 272, EART 280D, ECON 250, ECON 259B, ENVS 271, PHYS 233, PHYS 242.
Computational Physics
This concentration prepares students who are interested in pursuing industrial or government jobs in the areas related to using computational methods to solve applied problems as well as computer‐based visualization methods for data presentation. Students interested in computational methods in biology could also consider the concentration in medical biophysics.
Elective courses include AMS 215, BME 205, BME 211, BME 230, BME 230L, CHEM 265, CMPE 215, CMPS 203, CMPS 210, CMPS 211, CMPS 240, CMPS 261, PHYS 242.
Medical Bio-Physics
This concentration prepares students who are interested in pursuing industrial and hospital jobs in the areas of medical technology, biomolecular engineering, and biophysics.
Elective courses include AMS 215, BME/CHEM 255, BME 205, BME 215, BME 222, BME 230, BME 230L, BME 250, BME 250L, CHEM 200A, EE 212, MCDB 200B, PHYS 180.
Course Schedule for the B.S/M/S. Pathway
|
Year |
Fall |
Winter |
Spring |
| 4th (senior) |
Elective* | Elective* | PHYS 219 |
| Elective* | |||
| 5th | PHYS 212 | PHYS 215 | PHYS 216 |
| Elective* | Elective* | Elective* | |
| Thesis | Thesis | Thesis |
*Alternate quarters for completing the four electives
Students are recommended to start their M.S. thesis (which may build upon their already completed senior thesis) during the summer at the end of their fourth year.
The above course schedule is designed to dovetail with the freshman academic plans shown earlier. Transfer students who finish the requirements for the B.S. in two years have very little room in their schedule for the senior year, and therefore may take longer than one post baccalaureate year to complete the additional requirements for the B.S./M.S. degree.
Revised: 07/15/18
