Main Departmental Office
Seaver Science Center 300
(213) 740-0848
FAX: (213) 740-6653
Email: physdept@usc.edu
http://physics.usc.edu

Undergraduate Office
Seeley G. Mudd Building 407
(213) 740-1140
FAX: (213) 740-8094

Chair: Tu-nan Chang, Ph.D.

Associate Chair: N. Eugene Bickers, Ph.D.

Professors: Lloyd Armstrong, Jr., Ph.D. (Provost); Itzhak Bars, Ph.D.; Gerd Bergmann, Ph.D.; N. Eugene Bickers, Ph.D.*; Hans M. Bozler, Ph.D.; Tu-nan Chang, Ph.D.*; Werner Dappen, Ph.D.; Jack Feinberg, Ph.D.*; Christopher M. Gould, Ph.D.*; Martin A. Gundersen, Ph.D. (Electrical Engineering); Robert W. Hellwarth, Ph.D. (Electrical Engineering); Darrell L. Judge, Ph.D.; Joseph A. Kunc, Ph.D. (Aerospace Engineering); Anthony J. Levi, Ph.D. (Electrical Engineering); Anupam Madhukar, Ph.D. (Materials Science); Kazumi Maki, D.S.; Dennis Nemeschansky, Ph.D.; John S. Nodvik, Ph.D.; Robert C. Penner, Ph.D. (Mathematics); Edward J. Rhodes, Jr., Ph.D.*; Hubert Saleur, Ph.D.; Robin Shakeshaft, Ph.D.; Howard S. Taylor, Ph.D. (Chemistry); Christoph von der Malsburg, Ph.D. (Computer Science); William G. Wagner, Ph.D.; Nicholas P. Warner, Ph.D.*

Associate Professors: Vitaly Kresin, Ph.D.; Krzysztof Pilch, Ph.D.; Richard S. Thompson, Ph.D.

Assistant Professors: Stephan Haas, Ph.D.; Maxim Olshanii, Ph.D.

Research Professors: Israel Senitzky, Ph.D.; Chung-Yung (Robert) Wu, Ph.D.

Adjunct Professor: Lute Maleki, Ph.D.

Emeritus Professors: Robert K. Cole, Ph.D.; Melvin A. Daybell, Ph.D.; Harriet H. Forster, Ph.D.; Gibson Reaves, Ph.D.*; John A. Russell, Ph.D.*; William G. Spitzer, Ph.D. (Electrical Engineering and Materials Science)*

*Recipient of university-wide or college teaching award.

The Department of Physics and Astronomy offers the Bachelor of Science in Physics, Bachelor of Science in Astronomy, Bachelor of Science in Physics/Computer Science, Bachelor of Arts in Physics, Bachelor of Arts in Astronomy, Bachelor of Science in Biophysics, Bachelor of Science in Physical Sciences, a minor in physics or astronomy, Master of Science in Physics, Master of Science in Physics for Business Applications, Master of Arts in Physics and Doctor of Philosophy in Physics.

This program is intended primarily for students who are interested in a career in physics.

*PHYS 151L, 152L and 153L may be substituted for the sequence PHYS 161L, 162L and 163L.

**CHEM 105abL may be substituted for the sequence CHEM 115abL.

This program is intended primarily for students who are interested in a career in astronomy.

*PHYS 151L, 152L and 153L may be substituted for the sequence PHYS 161L, 162L and 163L.

This program is intended for students with dual interests in physics and computer science who wish to complete the essential courses for both majors within their normal four-year career.

This program is intended for students with an interest in physics who do not intend to pursue a career in physics.

*PHYS 151L, 152L and 153L may be substituted for the sequence PHYS 161L, 162L and 163L.

**CHEM 115abL may be substituted for the sequence CHEM 105abL.

This program is intended for students with an interest in astronomy who do not intend to pursue a career in the field.

*PHYS 151L, 152L and 153L may be substituted for the sequence PHYS 161L, 162L and 163L.

This program is intended for students with an interest in the interdisciplinary field of biophysics. The degree program provides the physics and biology background necessary for the field while simultaneously fulfilling medical school entrance requirements.

*CHEM 105abL may be substituted for the sequence CHEM 115abL.

**PHYS 151L, 152L and 153L may be substituted for the sequence PHYS 161L, 162L and 163L.

This program is intended for students with an interest in the physical sciences. The program is designed to allow students interested in teaching at the secondary level to enroll in courses required for the California Single Subject Teaching credential offered through the School of Education.

The physics minor is open to all students. Engineering students must take a minimum of three upper division courses unique to the minor.

The astronomy minor is open to all students. A minimum of three courses taken toward the minor must be unique to the minor.

A GPA of C (2.0) or higher is required in all upper division courses taken in the department for all of the above major degree programs. A grade of C (2.0) or higher is required in all courses in the department specifically listed as subject requirements.

Advisement is required for all B.S. and B.A. degree candidates in the department. Students should meet with their departmental academic advisor at least once a semester to review the direction of their academic programs. Students who have not met with an advisor should contact the director of undergraduate affairs. Students are also encouraged to seek the advisement of faculty members whose specializations are appropriate to their intended field of graduate study.

Students are encouraged to become familiar with the research programs of the faculty in the department. Students who intend to pursue a Ph.D. and a career in research in physics or astronomy following graduation are strongly encouraged to become involved directly in one of the research programs, whether as summer research assistants or as part-time laboratory assistants during the academic year. Specific research opportunities will depend upon individual faculty research programs.

The Department of Physics and Astronomy offers graduate study at the master’s and doctoral degree levels. The graduate program prepares students for professional careers in research, teaching and developmental applications of physics.

Entering students spend time in intensive course work providing a broad background in advanced physics regardless of degree objective. Subsequent study involves a mix of course work, practical training and independent research (depending on degree objective).The doctoral program affords exceptionally close collaboration between students and faculty.

Opportunities for research are offered in atomic, molecular and optical/laser physics, astrophysics, elementary particle theory, string theory, quantum field theory, earthquake physics, helioseismology, condensed matter physics, quantum electronics/nonlinear optics, space physics and ultralow temperature physics.

Graduate degrees in the Department of Physics and Astronomy are under the jurisdiction of the Graduate School. Refer to the Requirements for Graduation section and the Graduate School for general regulations. All courses applied toward the degrees must be courses accepted by the Graduate School.

Graduate study in physics is divided into three degree objectives:

The prerequisite for admission for a master’s degree in the Department of Physics and Astronomy is a bachelor’s degree in physics or a related field. All applicants for admission must take the Graduate Record Examina-tions, including the Physics Subject Test. Transcripts of undergraduate records as well as transcripts of any graduate-level courses are required. The TOEFL is required of international students applying for a teaching assistantship and is strongly advised for those applying for admission only. Applicants may be admitted as a degree candidate at the beginning of fall or spring semester.

All M.S. and M.A. degree students normally take at least three courses for each of two semesters. A total of 24 units of credit is required for graduation. Admitted students may transfer a maximum of 4 units of credit to apply toward the degree requirements.

There is no foreign language requirement for the M.S. or M.A.

Option A M.S. in Physics: The M.S. degree requires satisfactory completion of seven courses (exclusive of PHYS 500 and PHYS 594), of which no more than one course may be PHYS 590 Directed Research. In addition, satisfactory completion of a thesis (and 4 units of PHYS 594) is required.
Option B M.A. in Physics: The M.A. degree requires satisfactory completion of eight courses (exclusive of PHYS 500 and PHYS 590) plus a high level of performance on the comprehensive examination.

The required courses for either option are PHYS 504, 508a and 558a. For either option at least five courses must be at the 500 level or higher and 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 required for the B.A. in physics at USC may be counted for credit toward the M.A. or M.S. degree.

All master’s degree candidates are required to take the departmental screening examination not later than during their second semester (excluding summer). This examination serves as the required comprehensive examination for the M.A. degree. A high level of performance is required for the M.A. degree, and a superior level is required for admission to (or continuation in) the Ph.D. program.

The prerequisite for admission to the Master of Science in Physics for Business Applica-tions is a bachelor’s degree in physics, chemistry, mathematics, engineering or related field. Applicants should have previous upper division course work in electricity and magnetism and quantum mechanics/modern physics. All applicants for admission must take the Graduate Record Examinations general test and are encouraged to take the Physics Subject Test. Transcripts of undergraduate records as well as transcripts of any graduate-level courses are required. The TOEFL is required of international students. Applicants may be admitted to the program at the beginning of fall or spring semester.

All full-time M.S. degree students are expected to take three courses toward the degree for each of the first three semesters. Part-time students are expected to complete at least three courses per calendar year. A total of 36 units of credit is required for graduation. Admitted students may transfer a maximum of 8 units of credit to apply toward degree requirements.

There is no foreign language requirement for the M.S. degree.

By the end of the first semester in residence, students are required to demonstrate a skill level in programming in C or C++. This skill may be demonstrated by a practical exam or by passing a relevant computer language course.

The M.S. in Physics for Business Applications degree requires completion of 36 units of course work plus satisfactory submission of a final technical report. The physics requirement is 18 units of courses, including PHYS 516, 518, 520, 558a, 650 and 692. The business requirement is 12 units of courses. Business courses may be selected from one of three tracks: Corporate Finance (GSBA 510, 548 and one of GSBA 518 or 543 are required with electives chosen from FBE 529, 531, 532 and 562); Information Systems (GSBA 518 or GSBA 543 required with electives chosen from IOM 533, 535, 536 and 540); or Operations Management (GSBA 518 or 543 required with electives chosen from IOM 525, 537, 581, 582 and 583). Alternative business tracks can be taken with departmental approval. An additional 6 units of technical electives are required, to be chosen from PHYS 408b, 440, 504, 510, 558b, MATH 407, 408 or CSCI 480. Alternative technical electives can be taken with departmental approval. All required courses must be passed with a grade of B- or better.

All students in physics are required to submit a final technical report within one semester of completion of the internship PHYS 692. This report will be reviewed by the department to establish both its technical merit and the quality of written communication skills of the master’s student. A grade will be registered for PHYS 692 upon satisfactory review of the final report.

The prerequisite for admission to the doctoral program in the Department of Physics and Astronomy is a bachelor’s (or master’s) degree in physics or related field. All applicants for admission must take the Graduate Record Examinations, including the Physics Subject Test. Transcripts of undergraduate records as well as transcripts of any graduate-level courses are required. The TOEFL is required of international students applying for a teaching assistantship and is strongly advised for those applying for admission only. Applicants may be admitted to the program at the beginning of the fall or spring semester.

Ph.D. students in physics normally enroll in three courses for each of the first four semesters in graduate school. A total of 60 units of credit is required for graduation. Students admitted to the Ph.D. program may transfer a maximum of 30 units of credit to apply toward degree requirements. For students admitted with Advanced Standing (entry with an appropriate completed graduate degree from an accredited institution), a minimum of 36 units of course work beyond that graduate degree, exclusive of PHYS 794, will be required.

There is no foreign language requirement for the Ph.D.

The student is expected to have prepared for understanding all branches of physics. A minimum of 11 graduate courses in physics, excluding graduate colloquium, dissertation and directed research courses, taken at this university and elsewhere, is required. The required courses for the Ph.D. are PHYS 504, 508ab, 510, 518, and 558ab plus four elective graduate courses in physics. In addition, four units of PHYS 500 and PHYS 794 are required. All required physics courses (except 500 and 794) must be passed with a grade of B or better. After passing the qualifying examination the student must register for PHYS 794 Doctoral Dissertation each fall and spring semester.

Any student proceeding toward the Ph.D. in physics must pass the departmental screening examination 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 examination at a well-recognized research university with superior grades may apply to the departmental examination committee for an oral interview in order to be exempted from the written screening examination. A faculty member who supervises the research of such a student in the department must support this application.

The graduate advisor serves as advisor to incoming students and assists in the appointment of the guidance committee, which is formed after the screening examination has been passed. After the student passes the qualifying examination and a dissertation topic is approved, the five-member guidance committee becomes known as the dissertation committee and is responsible for monitoring the candidate’s progress and for approving the final content and form of the dissertation.

The qualifying examination must be attempted not later than during the fifth semester (or in the case of advanced students, the third semester) in the department (excluding summer). The Ph.D. qualifying examination 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.

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.