Theoretical
and experimental research at Rutgers–Newark primarily is in atomic and
quantum physics. It is supported by grants from the National Science
Foundation and the Office of Naval Research. The experimental facilities include laboratories dedicated to laser
spectroscopy, surface science, and magnetic resonance imaging. The theory
group is interested in nonperturbative methods of quantum field theory and
studies Casimir and related macroscopic quantum effects. It supports the
analysis of some of the experiments performed at Rutgers–Newark. Our
graduate program in applied physics is in collaboration with the New Jersey
Institute of Technology (NJIT). The facilities there include a Solar Research Center, an Electronic Imaging Center, a Microelectronics Fabrication Center,
as well as laboratories dedicated to materials and photonic research.
Interdisciplinary
applied physics research is carried out in collaboration with the chemistry,
earth science, and biology departments. We have extensive cooperative research
with the National Solar Observatory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, U.S. Army and Naval Research
Laboratories, and other industrial and federal research centers.
Joint M.S. Program in Applied Physics
The joint Rutgers–Newark/NJIT master of science (M.S.) degree in applied
physics requires 30 credits above the 600 level. Students must take 18
credits of coursework, in physics or related areas (including mathematical
physics or applied mathematics). Twelve credits may be taken as electives and
thesis work. Four graduate physics
courses (26:755:611 Advanced Classical Mechanics, 26:755:621 Classical
Electrodynamics I, 26:755:631 Quantum Mechanics I, and 26:755:641
Statistical Mechanics) are required.
Thesis research for 6 credits completes the M.S.
program. Alternatively, with the approval of the student's adviser, a
3-credit project plus an additional 3-credit course may replace the
6-credit thesis requirement.
Joint Ph.D. Program in Applied Physics
For entering students with bachelor of science (B.S.) or bachelor of arts (B.A.) degrees, the
joint Rutgers–Newark/NJIT doctor of philosophy (Ph.D.) degree in applied physics requires 75
credits above the 600 level. A cumulative grade-point average of 3.0 is
required in coursework. Students take 39 credits in courses and earn the
remaining 36 credits they need in dissertation research. Coursework
includes 24 credits in physics courses (including mathematical physics or
applied mathematics) and 15 credits in electives.
Among the 24 credits of physics courses, six courses are
mandatory: 26:755:611 Advanced Classical Mechanics, 26:755:621 Classical
Electrodynamics I, 26:755:631 Quantum Mechanics I, 26:755:641 Statistical
Mechanics, 26:755:721 Classical Electrodynamics II, and 26:755:731 Quantum
Mechanics II. At least 12 credits offered for the degree must be at or
above the 700 level. Coursework may include graduate courses in electrical
engineering, bioscience, chemistry, or other areas, depending upon the
student's field of research.
For entering students with M.S. or master of arts (M.A.) degrees, the
joint Ph.D. degree in applied physics requires 54 credits above the 600
level. Coursework comprises 18 credits, and 36 credits are in dissertation
research. Coursework includes 9 credits in physics courses (including
mathematical physics or applied mathematics), and the remaining 9 credits
are taken in electives. At least 12 credits must be at or above the 700
level. A cumulative grade-point average of 3.0 is required in coursework,
which may include graduate courses in electrical engineering, bioscience,
chemistry, or other areas, depending on the student's research interest.
Qualifying examinations, both written and oral, are
required for the Ph.D. These examinations, which are given in August/September
of each academic year, must be taken by the end of the first year. Students
who fail the examination on the first attempt get one additional chance to
pass.
The Ph.D. dissertation will be evaluated by a committee
consisting of the candidate's academic adviser and three other faculty
members, one from Rutgers–Newark, one from NJIT, and one from outside the
program. It takes from three to six years for full-time students and four
to eight years for part-time students to complete the program. Students
with degrees in chemistry and other related areas are accepted into the
program.
