Typical Course of Study

Professor Slakey

Our students choose from two Ph.D  trajectories:

  1. Our conventional Ph.D. consists of two years of advanced physics coursework and lab rotations, followed by thesis research
  2. Our Industrial Leadership in Physics (ILP) program consists of advanced physics and business courses and an industrial internship, followed by thesis research

In the first year, all students take the same course sequence. The curriculum diverges in the second year: ILP students taking some business classes while standard-track students continuing with advanced physics courses. Both groups of students take an elective in their second year. This allows students to focus on their intended research area.

GU course descriptions & current offerings are no longer available for direct linking. They are only available through the Georgetown University Registrar’s Schedule of Classes link: https://bn-reg.uis.georgetown.edu/StudentRegistrationSsb/ssb/courseSearch/courseSearch

Sample Coursework

Term Standard Physics Track Industrial Leadership Track
Fall
(Year 1)
  • Colloquium (PHYS-501)
  • Quantum Mechanics I (PHYS-505)
  • Statistical Mechanics (PHYS-507)
  • Electricity and Magnetism (PHYS-509)

Integrated Experience 
(conducted during exam period)
  • Colloquium (PHYS-501)
  • Quantum Mechanics I (PHYS-505)
  • Statistical Mechanics (PHYS-507)
  • Electricity and Magnetism (PHYS-509)

Integrated Experience 
(conducted during exam period)
Spring
(Year 1)
  • Colloquium (PHYS-502)
  • Quantum Mechanics II (PHYS-506)
  • Computational Physics (PHYS-508)
  • Solid State Physics I (PHYS-510)

Integrated Experience 
(conducted during exam period)
  • Colloquium (PHYS-502)
  • Quantum Mechanics II (PHYS-506)
  • Computational Physics (PHYS-508)
  • Solid State Physics I (PHYS-510)

Integrated Experience 
(conducted during exam period)
Summer
(Year 1)

Physics Lab Rotation: 

  • 1 Physics Lab Rotation (Non-Credit) – if taking the Comprehensive Exam
  • 2 Physics Lab Rotation (Non-Credit) – if the student does not have to take the Comprehensive Exam

Physics Lab Rotation: 

  • 1 Physics Lab Rotation (Non-Credit) – if taking the Comprehensive Exam
  • 2 Physics Lab Rotation (Non-Credit) – if the student does not have to take the Comprehensive Exam
  •  
Fall
(Year 2)

2 – 3 Electives*:

  • Phase Trans & Non-Eqm St Mech (PHYS-513)
  • Solid State Physics II (PHYS-515)
  • Sensors & Digital Electronics(PHYS-517)
  • Soft Condensed Matter (PHYS-519)
  • Introduction to Astrophysics (PHYS-455)

*If you plan to take additional lab rotations in the Fall, you would choose 2 electives from above plus 2 Physics Lab Rotations (PHYS-535 & -537) or 1 Physics Lab Rotation and the Colloquium Course (PHYS-505)

 1 Elective:

 

  • Dynamic Processes in Biological Physics
    (PHYS-511)
  • Solid State Physics II (PHYS-515)
  • Sensors & Digital Electronics (PHYS-517)
  • Soft Condensed Matter (PHYS-519

One Business/Finance Course:

  • Principles of Accounting (ACCT-395)
  • Fundamentals of Finance (FINC-395

Plus 2 Physics Lab Rotations
(PHYS-535 & -538)
Spring
(Year 2)

1-2 Electives:

  • Biological Physics II (PHYS-436)
  • Electrodynamics & Optics (PHYS-443)
  • Fabrication & Char: Nanomaterials (PHYS-446)
  • Particle Physics and Cosmology (PHYS-456)

Plus Thesis Research – 03 (PHYS 999-03)

One Business/Finance Course:

  • Principles of Accounting (ACCT-395)
  • Fundamentals of Finance (FINC-395)

     

1 -2 Electives:

  • Biological Physics II (PHYS-436)
  • Electrodynamics & Optics (PHYS-443)
  • Fabrication & Char: Nanomaterials (PHYS-446)
  • Particle Physics and Cosmology (PHYS-456)

 

Plus Thesis Research – 03 (PHYS 999-03)

Students conduct thesis research once they complete their coursework. In our Ph.D. program, students take courses in advanced physics as well as additional specialized courses that match the goals of their scientific careers. Students who choose to participate in the ILP track will participate in an industrial apprenticeship. After which students will apply that research toward their dissertation.