Differences

This shows you the differences between two versions of the page.

--- graduate_handbook:academic_program [2024/11/05 15:00] – [Some Elective Courses Taken By First Year Students] vinals
+++ graduate_handbook:academic_program [2025/03/21 12:49] (current) – vinals
@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
+====== Academic Program ======
 ===== Entering students and the first year =====
@@ Line 18: / Line 20: @@
 | 5001: Quantum I (4 cr.)                    | 5002: Quantum II (4 cr.)                    |
 | 5011: Classical I (4 cr.)                  | 5012: Classical II (4 cr.)                  |
-| 5201:Statistical/Thermal Physics (3 cr.) | 4041: Computational Methods (4 cr.) |
+| 5201:Statistical/Thermal Physics (3 cr.) | Elective course (see below)|
-|   | 4xxx Intro to...                           |
+| 5072: Teaching College Physics I (1 cr.)  | 5072: Teaching College Physics II (1 cr.)  |
-|     | 5041: Mathematical Methods (4 cr.)         |
-| 5072: Teaching College Physics I (1 cr.)  | 5072: Teaching College Physics II (2 cr.)  |
 | 5980: Intro to Research Seminar (1 cr.)    | 5980: Intro to Research Seminar (1 cr.)     |
@@ Line 30: / Line 30: @@
 ^Course number  ^Course name  ^
+| Physics 4041 | Computational Methods in the Physical Sciences |
 |Physics 4051/2| Methods of Experimental Physics|
 | Physics 4211*| Introduction to Solid State Physics|
@@ Line 37: / Line 38: @@
 | Physics 4621*| Introduction to Plasma Physics|
 | Physics 5022 *| Relativity, Cosmology, and the Universe|
+| Physics 5041 | Mathematical Methods for Physics |
 * Survey courses useful in deciding research specialties
+==== Towards becoming involved in research ====
+Since you are expected to make arrangements to do research with a faculty adviser during the Summer after your first year, you should do a few things before then besides attending the Research Seminar (Phys 5980) and department colloquia. The process of finding a research adviser is quite informal, and we expect you to take the lead in probing areas of research in the School that interest you. It is understood that finding mutually agreeable arrangements takes time, and that you may wish to switch between fields as you become more acquainted with them during the course of your first two years. Be sure to ask about potential for funding, as this is the main constraint that all groups have in accepting new students.
+There are several factors to consider in your choice of research group and adviser. The first one is theoretical vs. experimental research. This choice often depends on your skills and temperament. Theoretical research is more abstract and requires very good mathematical ability. Experimental research is more concrete, requiring the visualization of how a theoretical idea can be tested using measurements. If in doubt as to whether your interests lie in experiment or theory, talk to faculty members and more senior graduate students in both areas about their experiences.
+A second factor for you to consider is the choice of a subfield within physics. Specialty areas represented at the University of Minnesota include condensed matter physics, elementary particle physics, nuclear physics, space physics, nuclear and particle astrophysics, cosmology, biophysics, and physics education. An introduction to the the interests of each faculty member can be found at http://cse.umn.edu/physics .
+A third factor to consider is the social characteristics of different subfields. Many experimental groups, and sometimes theoretical groups as well, require working in large teams and collaborations, often of international nature. Other groups just work in a small group setting. Maintaining good relations with team members and maintaining effective exchange of information with them are very important aspects of doing research in large groups. As above, the best method of gathering information is to talk with faculty members and with the more advanced students involved in such groups.
+After narrowing your choices, you should make appointments to talk with several faculty members about joining their group. It is best to begin these discussions as soon as the research interests have been identified, and certainly before the first Summer. Keep in mind that this is an iterative process. It requires persistence, patience, and an open mind. The subfield of Physics that you decide to purse for your Ph.D. work will have a profound influence in your future career.
+==== The Graduate Written Examination (GWE) ====
+The Graduate Written Exam, or GWE, is currently given once each year, at the end of the Spring semester. The purpose of the examination is to test knowledge of 'undergraduate' physics but at a level of sophistication appropriate to graduate school. While the exam does not cover graduate material, it does demand a high degree of mastery of the undergraduate material. The GWE is drafted by a special faculty committee, and the passing grade is set every year by the faculty.
+Further information about policies, tips on how to prepare for the exam, and links to a historic record of past exams is given in the Section [[graduate_handbook:physics_graduate_policies#graduate_written_examination_policy|Graduate Written Examination Policy]].
+==== Summer research fellowship ====
+In order to facilitate your search for a research group and adviser, the School of Physics and Astronomy provides a research fellowship during the first Summer in our program to all of our incoming students provided that, (i), you spend the Summer term on campus working on research, and (ii), your adviser is a member of the faculty of the School.
+There is no further commitment on your part to continue in the same group after the Summer, nor on your adviser's to become your permanent research adviser. Approximately 60% of our first year students continue their Ph.D. research with the same group as in the first Summer. Others change; in a few cases more than once.
-You are also encouraged to enroll and attend our weekly [[http://www.physics.umn.edu/calendar/PAC/semester|Physics Colloquium]]. This seminar features prominent physicists across a variety of fields, and present their research in a way that is meant to be accessible to beginning graduate students.
-==== Towards becoming involved in research ====
-Since you are expected to have made arrangements to do research with a faculty adviser during the Summer after your first year, you should do a few things before then besides attending the Research Seminar (Phys 5980) and colloquia. You need to begin discussions with individual faculty members about doing research with them by the Spring Semester. Get into the habit of browsing through some of the more important Physics journals so that you will become familiar with what kind of work is being done in various sub-fields of physics. Periodic seminars in specialized research areas (announced in the department Weekly Calendar) will give you the flavor of current research in more depth. Some of the groups offer informal “Lunch” seminars which are a good way to learn about the basics of a research area, and are often given by senior graduate students. Take every opportunity to ask faculty members, research staff, and students about the research they are doing.
-The process of finding a research adviser is quite informal, and we expect you to take the lead in probing areas of research in the School that interest you. It is understood that finding mutually agreeable arrangements takes time, and that you may wish to switch between fields as you become more acquainted with them during the course of your first two years. Be sure to ask about potential for funding, as this is the main constraint that all groups have in accepting new students.
-==== The Graduate Written Examination (GWE) ====
-The Graduate Written Exam, or GWE, is currently given once each year, at the end of the Spring semester. The purpose of the examination is to test knowledge of 'undergraduate' physics but at a level of sophistication appropriate to graduate school. While the exam does not cover graduate material, it does demand a high degree of mastery of the undergraduate material. The GWE is drafted by a special faculty committee, and the passing grade is set every year by the faculty.
-Further information about policies, tips on how to prepare for the exam, and links to a historic record of past exams is given in the Section [[graduate_handbook:physics_graduate_policies#graduate_written_examination_policy|Graduate Written Examination Policy]].

User Tools

Differences

Page Tools