Physical Sciences (PSCI)

College of Arts and Sciences

701 Frontiers of Physical Sciences (3:3:0) Prerequisite: admission to the physical sciences doctoral program. Each semester, the course will cover between four and six topics considered to be at the frontiers of the physical sciences—the key questions that are of interest to researchers today. The topics will be chosen from interdisciplinary areas, such as nanoscience, astroparticle physics, nonlinear dynamics, and neuroscience. Approximately two to three weeks will be spent on each topic, and the specific topics may vary each semester. The course includes guest lectures given by faculty who are doing research in each area. Assignments include readings from the current literature as well as projects and class presentations.

702 Research Methods (3:3:0) Prerequisite: admission to the physical sciences doctoral program. This course trains students in research methodologies, techniques, and data analysis methods in the physical sciences. Covers approaches for outlining and synthesizing a problem, techniques for measurement and analysis, and methods used for data analysis and interpretation.

703 Frontiers of Physical Sciences (1:1:0) Prerequisite: admission to the physical sciences doctoral program. This course combines invited seminars from faculty (internal and external) with graduate student seminars. Presentation at a seminar is a requirement for advancement to candidacy in the physical sciences doctoral program. May be repeated three times.

998 Dissertation Proposal (1-12:0:0) Prerequisite: permission of advisor. Covers development of a research proposal under the guidance of a dissertation director and the doctoral committee. The proposal forms the basis for the doctoral dissertation. May be repeated as needed; however, no more than a total of 24 credits in PSCI 998 and 999 may be applied toward satisfying doctoral degree requirements. Out of 24, no more than 12 credits of PSCI 998 may be applied.

999 Doctoral Dissertation (1-12:0:0) Prerequisite: admission to candidacy in the physical sciences doctoral program. Doctoral research performed under the direction of the dissertation director. May be repeated as needed; however, no more than a total of 24 credits in PSCI 998 and 999 may be applied toward satisfying doctoral degree requirements.