The Department of Physics offers graduate programs leading to the Master of Science (ScM) degree and the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Degree. For more information on admission and program requirements, please visit the following website: http://www.brown.edu/academics/gradschool/programs/physics
Master of Science (ScM)
The Sc.M. degree recognizes a significant level of academic achievement beyond an undergraduate degree. A total of 8 credits in 2000-level courses form the main requirement for the Sc.M. degree in Physics. Of the eight required courses, four will be selected from the six core courses of the Ph.D. program (PHYS 2010, 1720 or 2020**, 2040, 2050, 2060, 2140). Four additional credits at the 2000 level are required. These courses are to be selected from the remaining core courses or the large number of other upper-level Physics courses. With pre-approval of the DMP, up to two of these additional credits, also at the 2000 level, can be taken in another department. Preparation of a Master’s thesis is recommended, as it forms an important pillar of professional training.
**Please note: 2030 can be taken instead of 1720 or 2020 if the student has passed the entrance exam.
Students with less rigorous physics backgrounds will be advised to take a mixture of 1000-level and 2000-level courses during their course of study, necessitating a 3- or 4-semester track to completion.
Course selection and registration for recently admitted students are held in September after a faculty advising session during orientation. Registration remains open for the first two weeks as a 'shopping period' during which students can make final course decisions.
Core Courses
| Techniques in Experimental Physics | ||
| Classical Theoretical Physics I | ||
| Classical Theoretical Physics II | ||
| Quantum Mechanics | ||
| Quantum Mechanics | ||
| Statistical Mechanics |
Four additional credits at the 2000 level are required. These courses are to be selected from the remaining core courses or the large number of other upper level physics courses. Up to two of these can be taken in research, or taken in another department with prior approval of the program director.
| Mathematical Methods of Engineers and Physicists | ||
| Advanced Quantum Mechanics | ||
| Introduction to Nuclear and High Energy Physics | ||
| Astrophysics and Cosmology | ||
| Quantum Theory of Fields I | ||
| Quantum Theory of Fields II | ||
| Group Theory | ||
| Solid State Physics I | ||
| Solid State Physics II | ||
| Quantum Many Body Theory | ||
| Advanced Statistical Mechanics | ||
| Computational Physics | ||
| Quantum Computation, Information, and Sensing | ||
| Statistical Physics in Inference and (Deep) Learning | ||
| Research in Physics | ||
or PHYS 2981 | Research in Physics | |
Quantum Information Science, Engineering, and Control Track
Students admitted to the Master's program may elect to complete their degree under the Quantum Information Science Engineering and Control (QISEC) track. This Track provides focused training on the physics fundamentals underlying quantum control that are essential for fault tolerant quantum computing. Through a combination of coursework and research experiences, students completing the QISEC track will develop specific industry and research relevant expertise in the fundamentals of quantum computation, quantum control, and error correction protocols.
Students electing the QISEC track will be required to complete a total of 8 credits in 2000-level courses. Of the eight required courses, QISEC track students are required to complete the four QISC core courses: PHYS 2010, 2050, 2970F, and 2600, as well as two research experience credits (PHYS 2980 and PHYS 2981) with research advisors from the department approved QISEC advisors list. Following the completion of the second research course, the submission of a Master’s thesis is required for the QISEC track.
Two additional credits selected from the QISEC approved list of courses are required. Graduate level Computer Science or Applied Mathematics courses may also be selected with pre-approval by the DMP.
QISEC Core Courses
| PHYS 2010 | Techniques in Experimental Physics | 1 |
| PHYS 2050 | Quantum Mechanics | 1 |
| PHYS 2600 | Computational Physics | 1 |
| PHYS 2970F | Quantum Information | 1 |
QISEC Approved Courses
| PHYS 2420 | Solid State Physics II | 1 |
| PHYS 2550 | Applied Machine Learning and AI | 1 |
| PHYS 2590 | Semiconductor Devices | 1 |
| PHYS 2790 | Quantum Optics | 1 |
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
| Core Courses: | ||
| Techniques in Experimental Physics | ||
| Classical Theoretical Physics I | ||
| Classical Theoretical Physics II | ||
| Quantum Mechanics | ||
| Quantum Mechanics | ||
| Statistical Mechanics | ||
Beyond the core courses, PhD candidates are expected to pass four additional advanced courses. At least one of the courses must fall outside the student’s research area. These courses are to be selected from the following:
| Mathematical Methods of Engineers and Physicists | ||
| Advanced Quantum Mechanics | ||
| General Relativity | ||
| Introduction to Nuclear and High Energy Physics | ||
| Astrophysics and Cosmology | ||
| Quantum Theory of Fields I | ||
| Quantum Theory of Fields II | ||
| Group Theory | ||
| Solid State Physics I | ||
| Solid State Physics II | ||
| Quantum Many Body Theory | ||
| Advanced Statistical Mechanics | ||
| Computational Physics | ||
| Biological Physics |