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Description
The University of Central Florida offers master's and doctoral programs in Physics. Research opportunities are available in condensed matter physics, nanostructure devices, surface science, optical physics, complex systems, biophysics, atomic and molecular physics, and planetary/space science.
Degrees Offered
- Master of Science in Physics
- Doctor of Philosophy in Physics
Admission
For information on general UCF graduate admissions requirements that apply to all prospective students, please visit the Admissions and Registration section of the Graduate Catalog. Applicants must apply online. Please be sure to submit all requested material by the established deadline(s).
The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is required of all applicants, and the Physics Subject Test of the GRE is recommended. Minimum requirements for admission to the Physics graduate programs are the standard university criteria of a 3.0 (A = 4.0) grade point average (GPA) for the last 60 attempted credit hours of credit earned toward the baccalaureate, or a competitive GRE score on the combined verbal-quantitative sections of the General (Aptitude) Test. Applicants must apply online. All applications must also include a resume, goal statement, and three letters of recommendation. International students and students whose native language is not English must score at least 220 (computer-based test; or equivalent score on the paper-based test) on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Students entering the graduate program with regular status are normally expected to have completed course work generally required for a bachelor’s degree in physics, including mechanics, electricity and magnetism, thermal/statistical physics, and quantum mechanics.
Meeting minimum UCF admission criteria does not guarantee program admission. Final admission is based on evaluation of the applicant's abilities, past performance, recommendations, match of this program and faculty expertise to the applicant's career/academic goals, and the applicant's potential for completing the degree.
Application Due Dates
All students applying for fellowships must apply by the Fall Priority deadline date.
U.S. Applicants
| Program(s) | Fall Priority | Fall | Spring | Summer |
| Doctor of Philosophy in Physics | Jan 15 | Jun 15 | Nov 1 | |
| Master of Science in Physics | Jan 15 | Jun 15 | Nov 1 |
International Applicants
| Program(s) | Fall Priority | Fall | Spring | Summer |
| Doctor of Philosophy in Physics | Jan 15 | Jan 15 | Jul 1 | |
| Master of Science in Physics | Jan 15 | Jan 15 | Jul 1 |
International Transfer Applicants
| Program(s) | Fall Priority | Fall | Spring | Summer |
| Doctor of Philosophy in Physics | Jan 15 | Mar 1 | Sep 1 | |
| Master of Science in Physics | Jan 15 | Mar 1 | Sep 1 |
Master of Science in Physics
The Master of Science in Physics degree is flexibly designed to prepare students for the widest possible range of industrial careers or further study at the doctoral level, according to student interests and goals. With a 15-credit common core, the student’s 18 remaining required credit hours are planned in consultation with an academic adviser. These may include courses from other departments. Courses must be selected so that at least one-half of the required courses are taken at the 6000 level.
Students pursuing a nonthesis master’s degree must take at least one Directed Research course as part of their elective work. In this course students will work on a research project under the supervision of a faculty member and present a final report.
Minimum Hours Required for M.S.—33 Credit Hours
Core Courses—15 Credit Hours
All students are required to take:
- PHY 5606 Quantum Mechanics I (3 credit hours)
- PHY 5346 Electrodynamics I (3 credit hours)
- PHZ 5156 Computational Physics (3 credit hours)
- PHY 5846C Methods of Experimental Physics (3 credit hours)
Elective Courses—18 Credit Hours
Elective selection is intended to be very flexible in order to meet student needs and interests. Electives may be chosen following one of the suggested specializations below, or a different program of study may be followed with academic advisor approval.
Materials Physics Specialization
- PHY 6624 Quantum Mechanics II (3 credit hours)
- PHY 6347 Electrodynamics II (3 credit hours)
- PHY 5524 Statistical Physics (3 credit hours)
- PHZ 6426 Condensed Matter Physics I (3 credit hours)
- PHZ 6428 Condensed Matter Physics II (3 credit hours)
- PHZ 5505 Plasma Physics (3 credit hours)
- PHY 5933 Selected Topics in Biophysics of Macromolecules (3 credit hours)
- PHY 5140C Ion-Solid Interactions (3 credit hours)
- PHY 5455 Modern X-ray Science (3 credit hours)
- EEL 5355C Fabrications of Solid-State Devices (4 credit hours)
- Other graduate courses from Optics, Materials Science, Physics, Optical Science and Engineering, Electrical Engineering or Industrial Chemistry.
Optical Physics Specialization
- PHY 6624 Quantum Mechanics II (3 credit hours)
- PHY 6347 Electrodynamics II (3 credit hours)
- OSE 5111 Optical Wave Propagation (3 credit hours)
- OSE 5115 Interference and Diffraction (3 credit hours)
- OSE 6526L Laser Engineering Laboratory (3 credit hours)
- OSE 6455L Photonics Laboratory (3 credit hours)
- PHY 5524 Statistical Physics (3 credit hours)
- OSE 6347 Quantum Optics (3 credit hours)
- OSE 5312 Fundamentals of Optical Science (3 credit hours)
- Other graduate courses from Optics, Materials Science, Physics, Optical Science and Engineering, Electrical Engineering or Industrial Chemistry.
Space Physics Specialization
- PHY 6624 Quantum Mechanics II (3 credit hours)
- PHY 6347 Electrodynamics II (3 credit hours)
- PHY 5524 Statistical Physics (3 credit hours)
- PHZ 5505 Plasma Physics (3 credit hours)
- AST 5165 Planetary Atmospheres (3 credit hours)
- EAS 5315 Rocket Propulsion (3 credit hours)
- EAS 6405 Advanced Flight Dynamics (3 credit hours)
- EAS 6507 Topics of Astrodynamics (3 credit hours)
- OSE 5041 Introduction to Wave Optics (3 credit hours)
- EEL 5820 Image Processing (3 credit hours)
- EEL 6823 Image Processing II (3 credit hours)
- Other graduate courses from Optics, Materials Science, Physics, Optical Science and Engineering, Electrical Engineering or Industrial Chemistry.
Theory/Computational Physics Specialization
- PHY 6246 Classical Mechanics (3 credit hours)
- PHY 6624 Quantum Mechanics II (3 credit hours)
- PHY 6347 Electrodynamics II (3 credit hours)
- PHY 5524 Statistical Physics (3 credit hours)
- PHY 6667 Advanced Quantum Mechanics (3 credit hours)
- PHZ 6426 Condensed Matter Physics I (3 credit hours)
- PHZ 6428 Condensed Matter Physics II (3 credit hours)
- PHZ 5505 Plasma Physics (3 credit hours)
- OSE 6347 Quantum Optics (3 credit hours)
- OSE 5312 Fundamentals of Optical Science (3 credit hours)
- Other courses from Physics, Math, Optics, Materials Science, Engineering, Computer Science.
Thesis Option—6 Credit Hours
The Master of Science in Physics candidate who has chosen the thesis option is required to conduct a program of original scientific research or some investigation involving a creative element and to submit a written thesis detailing these investigations. An oral defense and examination of the thesis is required. These six credit hours count toward the 18 hours of required electives for the degree.
- PHY 6971 Thesis
Nonthesis Option—3 Credit Hours
The Master of Science in Physics candidate who has chosen the nonthesis option is required to take a minimum of three credit hours of directed research as well as a written comprehensive exit examination. In the directed research course, students work on a research project under the supervision of a faculty member and are required to present a final report. The credit hours obtained in directed research count toward the 18 hours of electives.
- PHY 6919 Directed Research
Doctor of Philosophy in Physics
The Department of Physics at the University of Central Florida offers a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree. The department is characterized by rapid growth and dynamic partnerships. This activity, which is fueled by the university’s focus on industrial partnerships and research, strengthens the department and provides research and employment opportunities for our students.
Degree Requirements
Total Hours Required for Ph.D.—Minimum of 72 credit hours beyond the bachelors degree; minimum of 42 credit hours beyond the masters degree
The Doctor of Philosophy degree in Physics requires a total of 72 credit hours for completion. A specific set of eight required core courses (24 hours), five electives (15 hours), and a minimum of 15 hours of dissertation are part of those 72 hours. Electives are informally organized into specializations. A different mix of electives may be selected by the student in consultation with the student’s adviser. The remaining 18 hours may consist of appropriately selected research, dissertation, and elective courses. In addition, each student is required to participate in the Physics Colloquium/Seminar program. Courses must be selected so that at least one-half of the required courses are taken at the 6000 level or higher. No more than 6 credit hours of independent study may be credited toward the Doctor of Philosophy degree.
Core Courses—24 Credit Hours
All students are required to take the core courses.
- PHY 5606 Quantum Mechanics I (3 credit hours)
- PHY 6624 Quantum Mechanics II (3 credit hours)
- PHY 5346 Electrodynamics I (3 credit hours)
- PHY 6347 Electrodynamics II (3 credit hours)
- PHZ 5156 Computational Physics (3 credit hours)
- PHY 5846C Methods of Experimental Physics (3 credit hours)
- PHY 5524 Statistical Physics (3 credit hours)
- PHY 6939 Physics Research Seminar (3 credit hours)
Elective Courses—15 Credit Hours
The required 15 credit elective hours are determined by the students chosen specialization.
General Physics Specialization
The General Physics Specialization emphasizes strong preparation in physics fundamentals. It is intended to prepare students for careers in theoretical physics teaching at the college level. A number of active research programs exist in the department to accommodate such students.
Recommended Courses.
- PHY 6246 Classical Mechanics (3 credit hours)
- PHY 6667 Advanced Quantum Mechanics (3 credit hours)
- PHY 5933 Selected Topics in Biophysics and Macromolecules
- PHZ 6426 Condensed Matter Physics I (3 credit hours)
- PHZ 6428 Condensed Matter Physics II (3 credit hours)
- PHZ 5505 Plasma Physics (3 credit hours)
- PHZ 5304 Nuclear and Particle Physics (3 credit hours)
- PHZ 6234 Atomic Physics (3 credit hours)
- OSE 6347 Quantum Optics (3 credit hours)
- OSE 5312 Fundamentals of Optical Science (3 credit hours)
- Other courses from Physics, Math, Optics, Materials Science, Engineering.
Condensed Matter Physics Specialization
The Condensed Matter Physics Specialization is intended to prepare students for careers in materials physics, nanoscale science and technology, semiconductors, and soft condensed matter physics. It emphasizes strong experimental preparation with hands-on courses in advanced materials characterization and processing instrumentation. Related research programs at UCF include magnetic nanostructures, soft condensed matter, electronic and optoelectronic devices, and nanoscale characterization.
Recommended Courses
- PHZ 6426 Condensed Matter Physics I (3 credit hours)
- PHZ 6428 Condensed Matter Physics II (3 credit hours)
- Two "studio lab" courses: PHY 5140C Ion-solid interactions (3 credit hours) and PHZ 5425C Electron Solid Interactions (3 credit hours)
- One approved elective selected from Materials Science, Physics, Optical Science and Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or Industrial Chemistry
Optical Physics Specialization
The Optics Specialization coordinator is Dr. David Hagan, School of Optics. Students are recommended to take at least one of the following courses.
- OSE 5111 Optical wave propagation (3 credit hours)
- OSE 5115 Interference and Diffraction (3 credit hours)
Select at least one of the following laboratory courses.
- OSE 6526L Laser Engineering Laboratory (3 credit hours)
- OSE 6455L Photonics Laboratory (3 credit hours)
The remaining courses (up to three) may be selected from other graduate courses in Optics see www.creol.ucf.edu.
Dissertation
All students require a minimum of 15 credit hours of dissertation.
Dissertation Proposal—Prepared in consultation with dissertation adviser. The fifteen-page written proposal is presented orally to the student’s dissertation committee within one year after the candidacy exam.
Dissertation Defense—The final oral defense of the dissertation is administered by the student’s dissertation committee following completion of a written dissertation describing the student’s research.
Examinations
Placement Exam—A Physics field test is taken during the first year, for advisement purposes only.
Candidacy Exam—Part 1, written exam covering the common core. Part 2, oral exam based on upper-division undergraduate material. Taken at the end of the second year. After passing the candidacy examination, the student can register for Doctoral Research (PHY 7919). Before passing the candidacy, research credit can be earned as Directed Research (PHY 6918). Two attempts at the candidacy exam are permitted. The second attempt must happen within one year after failing the first. Students are only allowed to register for dissertation hours (PHY 7980) after presenting the dissertation proposal.
Financial Support
Graduate students may receive financial assistance through fellowships, assistantships, tuition support, or loans. For more information, see Financing Grad School, which describes the types of financial assistance available at UCF and provides general guidance in planning your graduate finances. The Financial Information section of the Graduate Catalog is another key resource.
Key points about financial support:
- If you are interested in financial assistance, apply early.
- If you want to be considered for loans and other need-based financial assistance, review the UCF Student Financial Assistance website at http://finaid.ucf.edu and complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) form, which is available online at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov. Apply early and allow up to six weeks for the FAFSA form to be processed.
- UCF Graduate Studies awards university graduate fellowships, with most decisions based on nominations from the colleges and programs. To be eligible for a fellowship, students must be accepted as a graduate student in a degree program and be enrolled full-time. University graduate fellowships are awarded based on academic merit and therefore are not affected by FAFSA determination of need.
- Please note that select fellowships do require students to fill out a fellowship application (either a university fellowship application, an external fellowship application, or a college or school fellowship application). For university fellowship applications, see Financing Grad School.
- Assistantships (including teaching, research, and general graduate assistantships) include tuition support. Students must be enrolled full-time and be in good academic standing to hold an assistantship.
Contact Info
Doctor of Philosophy in Physics
Aniket Bhattacharya, Ph.D., Associate Professor
Phone Number: 407-823-5208
graduate@physics.ucf.edu
Master of Science in Physics
Aniket Bhattacharya, Ph.D., Associate Professor
Phone Number: 407-823-5208
graduate@physics.ucf.edu