Graduate
PhD Curriculum
PROGRAM INFORMATION
This program emphasizes the practical, engineering applications of theoretical and
fundamental physical concepts. The program encompasses the areas of laser physics,
materials physics, computational physics, biophysics, as well as biomedical physics
and imaging science.
Accreditation:
Accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of College and
Schools.
DEGREE PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
The program requires a total 72 credit hours post-batchelor's or 45 credit hours post master's. These are distributed as follows
| Post Bachelor's | Post Master's | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Core courses | 12 Credit Hours | Courses | 12 Credit Hours |
| Electives | 18 Credit Hours | Electives | 6 Credit Hours |
| Industrial Practicum | 3 Credit Hours | Industrial Practicum | 3 Credit Hours |
| Other Courses | 15 Credit Hours | Dissertation Research | 24 Credit Hours |
| Dissertation Research | 24 Credit Hours |
Master's students can transfer up to two core courses completed at a different institution and not used for their MS degree, pending review and approval of course material and grade by the graduate director. However, students can only apply for transfer after completing their first semester at USF. In addition, transfer of credit for core courses does not reduce the total number of 18 credit hours (6 courses) completed at USF from the combination of core courses and electives.
- Core courses (12 credit hours, all 4 required)
Physics Graduate Programs & Requirements from the 2024/2025 Graduate Catalog
- PHZ 5115 Mathematical Methods I 3
- PHY 6346 Electricity and Magnetism I 3
- PHY 6645 Quantum Mechanics I 3
- PHY 6536 Statistical Mechanics 3
- Electives (18 credit hours)
At least an additional 6 graduate‐level classes should be taken, of which at least 5 are in the physics department. Any graduate course taken outside the department for credit towards the electives requires prior approval by the graduate director. For students entering Spring 2024 or later: Students may only take 1 cross-listed course over the duration of the program. - Industrial Practicum (3 credit hours, required)
- PHZ 7940 Industrial Practicum
Students seek an internship with a company or national lab (typically 1-2 months, 2 weeks minimum) to pursue a project that allows them to apply their skills to a real-life problem. The department will cover part of the extra expenses incurred by student. Students needs to submit a spending plan well in advance for approval by the graduate director. Students in the medical physics concentration can substitute Radiotherapy Physics Clinical Practicum (PHZ 6938, 3 Credit hours) for the Industrial Practicum.
- PHZ 7940 Industrial Practicum
- Other Courses (15 credit hours)
The remaining course work (up to 15 hours) can be covered by additional physics electives or by directed research hours (PHY 7910) performed with their thesis mentor. - Doctoral Research (24 credit hours)
Students need to complete at least 24 hours of doctoral research (PHY 7980). Students can only register for doctoral dissertation hours, after they become "doctoral candidates" by completing the qualifying examinations (see below). Be aware that you can't proceed to doctoral candidacy and enroll in doctoral dissertation hours until you have completed the qualifying examinations in the preceding semester (watch the deadlines). If it was not used to cover the "other courses" requirements (see above), students can apply a maximum of 12 credit hours of directed research (PHY 7910) towards the 24 credit hours of doctoral research.
Qualifying Examination:
The Doctoral Qualifying Examination consists of two parts: the Credentials Certification and the Dissertation Proposal. Following successful completion of these two parts, the student may submit the paperwork to advance for doctoral candidacy. The student's presentation of the Dissertation Proposal may occur at any time after successful completion of the Credentials Certification.- Credentials Certification– The student, in consultation with his/her research advisor,
will assemble a supervisory committee consistent with the rules of the Office of Graduate
Studies. It is the responsibility of the supervisory committee to evaluate the student's
academic and research accomplishments and potential according to departmental standards
and, if these are met, to certify that the student may proceed to the next step. View
the Current Details of the Credentials Certification (PDF). Here is an example of a proper Credentials Check report from one of our current students.
- Dissertation Proposal- To become a PhD Candidate, the student must present a written
dissertation proposal and successfully defend that proposal to the supervisory committee.
View the General Guidelines for Dissertation Proposal (PDF).
- Credentials Certification– The student, in consultation with his/her research advisor,
will assemble a supervisory committee consistent with the rules of the Office of Graduate
Studies. It is the responsibility of the supervisory committee to evaluate the student's
academic and research accomplishments and potential according to departmental standards
and, if these are met, to certify that the student may proceed to the next step. View
the Current Details of the Credentials Certification (PDF). Here is an example of a proper Credentials Check report from one of our current students.
- Dissertation:
The candidate will conduct original and significant research, describe that research and the results in a doctoral dissertation and defend that dissertation in an oral presentation to the supervisory committee. Typically, the student will be expected to have published at least part of his findings in peer-reviewed scientific journals prior to the defense. The defense is open to the public and must be scheduled according to the regulations of the Graduate School.
| Fall 2024 | Spring 2025 (Tentative) |
|---|---|
| PHY 6645 - Quantum Mechanics I (Core) | PHY 6346 - Electricity & Magnetism I (Core) |
| PHZ 5115 - Methods of Theoretical Physics I (Core) | PHY 6536 - Statistical Mechanics I (Core) |
| PHY 6938 - STEM Professional Development (Elective) |
PHY 6938 - Experimental Materials Physics (Elective) |
| PHY 6938 - Statistical Mechanics II (Elective) | PHZ 5156C - Computational Physics I (Elective) |
| PHY 6938 - Intro to Solid State Physics (Elective) |
PHY 5937 - Quantum Optics (Elective) |
| Fall 2025 (Tentative) | Spring 2026 (Tentative) |
|---|---|
| PHY 6645 - Quantum Mechanics I (Core) | PHY 6346 - Electricity & Magnetism I (Core) |
| PHZ 5115 - Methods of Theoretical Physics I (Core) | PHY 6536 - Statistical Mechanics I (Core) |
| Intro to Solid State (Elective) | Advanced Quantum Materials (Elective) |
| Intro to Group Theory (Elective) | Biophysics (Elective) |
| Machine Learning (Elective) | Topology for Physicists (Elective) |
Search current course offerings.
Roadmap to Success:
| Year | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Courses | 4 Core Courses, 2 Electives | 4 Electives, Directed Research | ||||
| Research | Join a Lab | Start research toward PhD | ||||
| Industrial Practicum | Industrial or Clinical Practicum | |||||
| Exams | Credential Check | Candidacy | Defense and Graduation | |||
Other Relevant Forms
Follow this link for information on the Ph.D. in Applied Physics with Emphasis in Medical Physics.