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| PHYSICS |
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Quick Links:
Application Deadlines | Admissions
Requirements
Program Overview | Degree
Requirements | Related
Program(s)
Contact Information
| Degrees Offered | Graduate
Faculty |
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| Application Deadlines |
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| Fall |
Spring |
I —
January 15
D — January 15 |
I —
August 1
D — August 1 |
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| Admissions Requirements |
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Click
here
for link to online application or to download paper application.
Applicants need to meet:
1) Graduate Division admissions
standard and documentation
requirements, and
2) program specific admissions criteria and documentation
requirements
(see below). |
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- a minimum of 35 undergraduate credits in physics, including
atomic and nuclear physics, electromagnetism, mechanics,
quantum mechanics, and thermodynamics*
- appropriate course work in general chemistry and differential
equations
- graduate program supplemental information form (download
form)
- statement of objectives (download
form)
- three letters of recommendation
- official GRE General Test scores
- official GRE Physics Subject Test scores
- official TOEFL scores — 560/220/83 or above (Required
of most non-native speakers of English. Click here
for information on exemptions.)
* Motivated applicants without the appropriate undergraduate
background may apply. They will be expected to make up course
deficiencies.
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Submission of Program
Specific Documentation Requirements
With the exception of TOEFL and GRE scores, all program specific documentation requirements should be sent directly
to the graduate program.
If required, official TOEFL and GRE scores should be sent to the Graduate Admissions Office. Please note that GRE scores may be required by the graduate program (see above) or by the Graduate Division (more info.) |
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| Program
Overview |
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Physics is the study of matter and energy and how they interact
at the most basic levels. Areas of specializations include
mechanics, optics and lasers, thermodynamics, electricity,
magnetism, nuclear phenomena, condensed matter, and elementary
particles. Physics is widely regarded as the most basic of
all sciences.
 The
Department of Physics at the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa
(UHM) offers opportunities for study and research leading
to the MS and the PhD. Students wishing to terminate their
formal education with the MS degree generally select Plan
A (thesis) so as to gain some research experience, as well
as formal class work. These students are prepared to enter
teaching positions at the community college level or industrial
and civil service positions at the junior scientist and engineer
level. Students planning advanced graduate work generally
complete the Plan B (non-thesis) or Plan C (exam) requirements
for the MS degree. At this point most of their formal class
work has been completed and further work consists mainly of
seminars, directed research, and the dissertation. Admission
to Plan C requires the approval of the physics graduate program
advisory committee.
The PhD is essentially a research degree. Students complete
an original and significant piece of research and are at the
forefront of one area of physics. Students are expected to
enter the academic world in a teaching and research capacity
or industrial and government research laboratories as senior
scientists.
The departmental staff and facilities are especially aimed
toward experimental and theoretical work in elementary particles,
electronic structure of solids, liquid crystals, composite
materials, low-temperature physics, scanning tunneling microscopy
and spectroscopy, and surface science.
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| Degree Requirements |
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All
graduate students at UHM need to meet degree requirements
set by the Graduate Division and their graduate programs.
For general Graduate Division requirements, see Degree
Requirements. Below is an overview of the degree requirements
for this graduate program. |
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General Requirements
The following are required of all graduate students:
- teaching experience as graduate assistant (one year or
more)
- attendance at the weekly departmental seminar
MS Degree Requirements
Students may select Plan A (thesis), Plan B (non-thesis) or
Plan C (exam).
- Plan A requires 24 credits of course work, six credits
of thesis research, a written thesis and defense of the
thesis.
- Plan B requires 30 credits of course work and a written
qualifying exam.
- Plan C requires only the minimum residency requirement,
a qualifying exam and a final oral exam.
PhD Degree Requirements
The PhD program requires the following:
- completion of MS course requirements,
- completion of PHYS 651 Electrodynamics II and PHYS 671
Quantum Mechanics
- comprehensive exam (written and oral)
- dissertation
- final oral exam / defense of dissertation
Courses
To view a listing of courses offered, visit www.catalog.hawaii.edu/courses/departments/phys.htm.
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| Related Program(s) |
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astronomy,
electrical engineering,
geology and geophysics,
mathematics,
mechanical engineering,
meteorology,
ocean and resources
engineering, telecommunications and entrepreneurship |
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Spalding 354