- Degree Programs
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The Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Southern California offers graduate programs leading to three advanced degrees in physics: the Master of Arts (M.A.), the Master of Science (M.S.) and the Doctor of Philosopy (Ph.D.).
These degrees are under the jurisdiction of the Graduate School. Refer to the Requirements for Graduation and the Graduate School sections of the University Catalogue for general regulations. All courses applied toward the degrees must be courses accepted by the Graduate School.
Following is a brief description of the departmental requirements for each of the degrees. You can also look at a typical program for the first two years of study, including required coursework and examinations.
- Master of Arts in Physics
- - The M.A. degree requires satisfactory completion of eight courses, exclusive of Phys-590.
- - The required courses are Physics 504, 508a, and 558a
- - At least five courses must be at the 500 level or higher and the remaining courses at the 400 level or higher.
- - At least five courses must be in physics.
- - All required physics courses must be passed with a grade of B- or better.
- - No upper division courses requred for the B.A. in Physics may be counted for credit toward the M.A. degree.
- - The departmental screening exam must be taken not later than the second semester of enrollment (summer excluded). This exam serves as the required comprehensive exam for the M.A. degree and a high level of performance is required.
- Master of Science in Physics
- - The M.S. degree requires satisfactory completion of a thesis plus seven courses, of which no more than one course may be Physics 590.
- - The required courses are Physics 504, 508a, 558a, 594a and 594b (Master's Thesis).
- - At least five courses must be at the 500 level or higher and the remaining courses at the 400 level or higher.
- - At least five courses must be in physics.
- - All required physics courses must be passed with a grade of B- or better.
- - No upper division courses requred for the B.A. in Physics may be counted for credit toward the M.S. degree.
- Doctor of Philosophy in Physics
- Course Requirements
- - The Ph.D. degree requires satisfactory completion of a minimum of 60 units of credit.
- - The required courses are Physics 504, 508ab, 510, 518, 558ab plus four elective graduate courses in physics, plus four units each of Phys 500 and Phys 794.
- - All required physics courses must be passed with a grade of B or better.
- Screening Procedure
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Students proceeding toward the Ph.D. in physics must pass the departmental screening exam at a superior level. The exam must be taken not later than during the second semester (excluding summers, but including time in the M.A./M.S. program) in the department. New advanced students who have passed an equivalent comprehensive exam at a well-recognized research university with superior grades may apply to the deparmental exam committee for an oral interview in order to be exempted from the written screening exam. A faculty member who supervises the research of such a student in the department must support this application.
- Qualifying Examination
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The qualifying examination must be attempted not later than during the fifth semster (or, in the case of advanced students, the third semester)(excluding summer) in the department. The Ph.D. qualifying exam contains a written part and an oral part. The written part consists of a critical review by the student of a published work selected by the guidance committee and of a research proposal prepared by the student on the area in which the student intends to do a doctoral dissertation. The oral part expands on the written part.
- Dissertation
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A doctoral dissertation in physics is expected to be an extensive description of original research carried out by the student. A complete discussion of reported research in relation to previous work by others is essential.
The dissertation must be defended in a final oral examination. The candidate must be prepared to answer general questions in the field as well as specific questions regarding the dissertation.
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