Ryan Doezema, Chair
Eric Abraham, Graduate Liaison
100 Nielsen Hall
Norman, OK 73019-0225
Phone: (405) 325-3961
FAX: (405) 325-7557
Internet: http://www.nhn.ou.edu/
e-mail: inquiry@mail.nhn.ou.edu
Ryan Doezema, Chair |
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Professors: Baron, Branch, Cowan, Doezema, Furneaux, Gutierrez, Henry, Johnson, Kantowski, Milton, Morrison, Parker, Romanishin, Santos, Skubic, D. Watson; Associate Professors: Abbott, Abraham, Kao, Leighly, Mason, Mullen, Murphy, S.Ryan, Shafer-Ray, Strauss, Wang; Assistant Professors: Bumm, Shaffer.
Information on both undergraduate and graduate programs is included, however, the general information contained in this section mainly covers undergraduate study. For additional information on graduate programs, individual documents detailing each graduate program are available from the Graduate College and their Web site at http://gradweb.ou.edu/. This information is updated yearly and should be referred to for graduate program requirements.
The Homer L. Dodge Department of Physics and Astronomy has a long tradition of educating scientists, engineers and science teachers who have achieved distinguished careers as researchers and leaders in industry and education.
Innovative education programs have been an integral part of the department since its inception and are still our tradition. Our graduates include a former Science Advisor to the President of the U.S., who was previously director of NSF, one president of a state university, one U.S. ambassador, five founders of corporations, one famous Arctic explorer, the founder and first editor of the American Journal of Physics, three other journal editors, three inventors, seven research laboratory managers, seven department chairs, one Rhodes Scholar, two Guggenheim Fellows, 76 university professors, and more than 500 other people devoted to advancing knowledge and improving the quality of life.
In addition to our own faculty, post-doctoral fellows and weekly colloquium speakers promote academic excellence within the department. With additional support from state monies and private endowment, the department hosts a large number of visiting scientists each year who bring the latest developments in their areas of interest and who present opportunities to exchange scientific ideas.
The department offers all undergraduate majors the opportunity to perform research with faculty mentors and runs a federally funded summer research program for undergraduates from all across the country.
Additionally, the Society of Physics Students (SPS) has an active chapter at the University.
The Homer L. Dodge Department of Physics and Astronomy possesses an excellent scientific library of about 20,000 volumes and more than 150 journal subscriptions. Ancillary library holdings include the world-famous History of Science Collection. A professionally staffed machine shop is available as well as an in-house machine shop for use by students. The department has well-equipped laboratories for research in laser cooling and trapping of atoms and molecules, atomic and molecular collisions, nanostructured materials and devices, materials characterization, and high-energy physics instrumentation. We are also home to a multimillion dollar NSF funded Materials Research Science and Engineering Center. This center greatly expands our research effort in nanostructures. Additionally, many programs make use of facilities at national laboratories, such as CLEO, Fermilab, and Los Alamos. The high-energy group is part of the DØ and ATLAS collaborations. Our astronomical researchers use national observatory facilities at Arecibo, VLA, Kitt Peak, Cerro Tololo and the Hubble Space Telescope. We also have a small on-campus observatory for class use and public viewing.
The department offers a number of scholarships each year to students majoring in physics, astronomy, or engineering physics. The scholarships range from $600-$1,500 per academic year and are renewable. Applications (consideration deadline March 15 for following fall) may be obtained from Undergraduate Programs-Physics, 100 Nielsen Hall, Norman, OK 73019-0225.
Teaching and research assistantships are offered on a competitive basis to graduate students. Departmental applications for graduate study may be requested from: Graduate Programs-Physics, 100 Nielsen Hall, Norman, OK 73019-0225.
Physics 1205 and 1215 form a basic sequence for physics, astrophysics and astronomy majors starting the first semester of the freshman year. Physics 2514 and 2524 comprise a two-semester basic sequence intended for engineers and other physical science majors who need to satisfy a physics requirement. Physics 2414 and 2424 comprise a two-semester sequence for premedical, medical technology, life science and other majors who require a non-calculus introductory physics course.
Duplicate credit may not be received for 1114, 1205, 2414, 2514; for 1215, 2424, 2524; nor for Astronomy 1504 and 1514 . Physics 1114, 1453, and Astronomy 1504 may not be counted as major work.
The student whose major is physics may work for the professional degree of Bachelor of Science in Physics or for the standard degree of Bachelor of Science, both of which are awarded by the College of Arts and Sciences. The engineering physics program is an interdisciplinary degree program which combines the course offerings and research activities of the Homer L. Dodge Department of Physics and Astronomy and the College of Engineering. This degree program is offered by the College of Engineering and detailed information concerning the program can be found in the College of Engineering section of this catalog.
To earn the professional degree the student must complete 45 hours of major work in physics, including the following courses: Physics 1205, 1215, 2203, 2303, 3043, 3053, 3183, 3302, 3312, 3803, 4153, 4300 (four hours); two courses chosen from 4183, 4213, 4243, 4803, 4813. Chemistry 1315 or its high school equivalent, Mathematics 2443, 3413, 3423, and three additional hours of mathematics at the 3000-level or above are also required.
To earn the standard degree the student must complete 37 hours in physics, including Physics 1205, 1215, 2203, 2303, 3043, 3053, 3183, 3302, 3803, 4300 (four hours) and one additional physics course at the 3000-level or above. Chemistry 1315 or its high school equivalent and Mathematics 2443 and 3413 are also required.
Students whose major interest is the application of physics to modern astrophysics may work for the professional degree of Bachelor of Science in Astrophysics.
To earn this degree the student must complete 49 hours of major work in physics and astronomy. The following courses must be included: Physics 1205, 1215, 2203, 3043, 3053, 3183, 3302 or 3312, 3803, 4153, 4300 (four hours); and Astronomy 2513, 3103, 3113, and 4303, plus one of the following Mathematics 3423, Physics 4183 or Physics 4803. Mathematics 2443 and 3413 are also required.
It is also recommended that the student complete a course in astronomy at the 5000-level.
The student whose major is astronomy may work for the standard degree of Bachelor of Science.
To earn this degree the student must complete 35 hours of major work in physics and astronomy. The following courses must be included: Physics 1205, 1215, 2203, 3043, 3053, 4300 (four hours); Astronomy 2513, 3103, 3113, and one of HSCI 3013, HSCI 3023 or a physics course at the 3000 level or above. Chemistry 1315 and Mathematics 2443, 3413 are also required.
A grade of C or better must be earned in each required physics, astronomy and mathematics course. A course in the history of science is recommended for all degrees.
For purposes of applying the 48 hour rule (see general college regulations), physics and astronomy are considered to be separate departments except that no more than 72 credit hours in physics and astronomy combined may be counted toward the minimum 120 hours required for graduation.
More information on the physics, astrophysics, astronomy and engineering physics programs, including a complete semester-by-semester curriculum, may be obtained by writing or calling the Homer L. Dodge Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK 73019-2061, (405) 325-3961; or http://checksheets.ou.edu and select Arts and Sciences.
Minors are offered in physics and astronomy. The minor in physics requires Physics 1205*, 1215*, 2203, and 3043, plus one of 3053, 3183 or 3803. Mathematics 3413 is also required. (*Physics 1205 and 1215 may be replaced by Physics 2514 and 2524 plus 1311 and 1321 or 2302 or 3302).
The minor in astronomy requires Physics 1205*, 1215*, 2203, 3043, and Astronomy 2513, 3103, and 3113. Mathematics 2443 is also required. (*Physics 1205 and 1215 may be replaced by Physics 2514 and 2524 plus 1311 and 1321 or 2302 or 3302).
Research areas available for both M.S. and Ph.D. degrees include astronomy, astrophysics, atomic, molecular and optical physics, condensed matter, high energy, and applied physics.
In addition to the general admission requirements of the Graduate College, a student must have completed the equivalent of the following courses to attain full graduate standing: Math 3113; Physics 3054, 3183, 3803, and 4153. The graduate selection committee will determine if these prerequisites have been satisfied.
The department offers Master of Science programs with or without the thesis.* The thesis program requires the student to complete at least 30 hours of prescribed coursework and present a thesis detailing results of a research investigation. The nonthesis program requires the student to complete at least 32 hours of prescribed coursework and pass the department’s Qualifying examination. This will serve as the comprehensive examination required by the Graduate College.
For the thesis program the student must complete at least 18 hours of physics and astronomy courses numbered 4000 or above. These hours must include two to four hours of Physics 5980. For the nonthesis program the student must complete at least 20 hours of physics and astronomy courses numbered 4000 or above. These 18 (or 20) hours may not include prerequisite courses Physics 4153, 4300, Astronomy 4303, or 4510.
The student must also complete at least 12 hours of other graduate coursework, which may include Physics 4153, 4300, Astronomy 4303, and 4510, or their equivalent.
* An MS with an emphasis in astronomy requires a thesis.
The Master of Science degree in engineering physics is offered as either a thesis or nonthesis program. The nonthesis program requires completion of 32 hours of graduate coursework (comprised of a minimum of 12 hours of physics and 12 hours of engineering courses), and the student must also pass the Qualifying examination. The thesis program requires the completion of 30 hours of graduate coursework including a research thesis on some topic of applied science. Up to four credit hours of 5980 must be included. If the student’s research adviser is from the College of Engineering, a minimum of 12 hours of physics and nine hours of engineering courses is required; if the adviser is from the Homer L. Dodge Department of Physics and Astronomy, a minimum of nine hours of physics courses and 12 hours of engineering courses is required.
All programs of graduate study must be approved by the Engineering Physics chair or a duly appointed representative. All students in engineering physics must complete at least one three-hour math course numbered 4000 or higher. (The student may not receive credit for any course that is equivalent to one required in the undergraduate engineering physics program.)
Physics is one of the fields which may be used to meet the requirements of the degree of Master of Natural Science. The degree is designed for students interested in teaching science in the secondary schools. The details of this degree are described under Natural Science in this catalog. There are no detailed physics requirements.
The Ph.D. program requires the student to complete at least 90 hours of coursework, take and pass the written Qualifying and General (Specialist) examinations, and complete and successfully defend the results of original research as a dissertation.
The student must complete at least 90 hours of graduate coursework as follows: 36 hours or more of required physics and astronomy courses, which must include Physics 5013, 5153, 5163, 5393, 5403, 5573, and 5583.
In addition to the above 21 hours, students must complete at least 15 hours of other physics and astronomy courses numbered 5000 or above (excluding 6980, which may be included below). To complete the remaining 54 hours of required coursework the student may use any combination of coursework at or above the 4000 level in physics or astronomy, courses in other departments listed as acceptable for graduate credit, and dissertation credit hours (Physics 6980).
Additional course requirements that are appropriate to the student’s area of research specialization may be required by the Advisory Committee. In addition to an overall GPA of 3.00, candidates for the Ph.D. degree must receive a grade of B or better in the required core courses: 5013, 5153, 5163, 5393, 5403, 5573, 5583.
All Ph.D. students are required to take an appointment as a teaching assistant with a minimum of two semester contact hours for two semesters. This teaching practicum is independent of financial support by the department.
The Qualifying examination deals with four subjects (mechanics/statistical mechanics, electromagnetic theory, quantum mechanics, and modern physics or astrophysics). The modern physics exam is satisfied by passing three graduate courses, Physics 5213, 5243, and 5813 with a grade of B or better. The examination is constructed by a committee of faculty members. The student must have attempted all four parts of the Qualifying exam by the end of his/her fourth semester. Every student will be given two opportunities to pass the examination.
After passing the Qualifying examination and choosing a research adviser and an Advisory Committee, an advisory conference will be convened by the student. The Report of the Advisory Conference, to be approved and held by the Graduate College, sets the specific course requirements for each student’s degree program. In most cases the Advisory Committee becomes the doctoral committee.
The General exam, which we call the Specialist examination, is an oral and written presentation of a topic related to but not the same as the student’s dissertation subject. It also consists of an oral examination over the material in the presentation and related basic physics. This General examination is normally not taken until the student has completed all required coursework, passed the Qualifying exam and has chosen a research area.
The final requirement for the Ph.D. degree will be the doctoral dissertation, an original piece of research conducted personally by the student which constitutes a contribution to knowledge. The dissertation must be defended in a final oral examination.
Students who are interested in the engineering physics doctoral program should refer to the general requirements of the Graduate College and the College of Engineering. Every student will be assigned an advisory committee who will determine the specific requirements within the guidelines set by these colleges and the career study goals of the student.
The required physics core courses and the Qualifying and Specialist exams are the same as for physics.