Graduate Faculty

701-231-8974

Stuart Croll, Ph.D. (adjunct)
University of Leeds, UK, 1974
Research Interests: weathering durability, film formation, internal stresses in films, modern art conservation, and history of paint technology

Alan R. Denton, Ph.D.
Cornell University, 1991
Postdoctoral, University of Guelph, 1991-94; Technical University of Vienna, 1994-95, Research Center Julich, 1996-98
Research Interests: Soft Condensed Matter Theory, Computational Physics

Ghazi Q. Hassoun, Ph.D. (emeritus)
University of Minnesota, 1963
Postdoctoral, University of Michigan, 1963-65
Research Interests: Foundations of Quantum Mechanics

Thomas Ihle, Ph.D.
Technical University, Aachen, 1996
Research Interests: Theory and Simulation of Complex Fluids (Colloids, Microemulsions and Biopolymers)

Daniel M Kroll, Department Head.Ph.D.
Chicago, 1973.
Research Interests: Theoretical and Computational Modeling of Complex Fluids and Biomembranes.

Kenneth Lepper, Ph.D. (adjunct)
Oklahoma State University, 2001
Research Interests: Applied Solid state physics (geologic materials) and materials characterization

Sylvio May, Ph.D.
Friedrich-Schiller University, Jena, 1996
Research Interests: Physics of Lipid Membranes, Biophysics

Konstantin Pokhodnya (adjunct)
Morcow Institute of Science and Technology, 1977
Research Interests: materials, thin film fabrication, spintronics

Charles A. Sawicki, Ph.D.
Cornell University, 1975
Postdoctoral, Cornell University, 1975-79
Research Interests: Acoustics, Biophysics, Geophysics

Mahendra K. Sinha, Ph.D. (Emeritus)
Pennsylvania State University, 1961
Postdoctoral, National Research Council (Ottawa), 1964-66
Research Interests: Field Emission and Field-Ion Microscopy

Orven Swenson, Ph.D.
Air Force Institute of Technology, 1982
Research Interests: Laser materials processing, optics education

Alexander J. Wagner, Ph.D.
University of Oxford, 1997
Postdoctoral MIT, 1998-2000, Edinburgh, 2000-2002
Research Interests: Computational Soft Matter , Phase Separation, Diffusion, Interfaces Physics

Gary D. Withnell, Ph.D. (adjunct)
North Dakota State University, 1980
Research Interests: Biophysics

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Program Description

The Department of Physics offers graduate study leading to the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees. Advanced work may involve specialized training in the following areas: biophysics, computational physics, condensed matter, laser applications, optics, particle physics, soft matter, and statistical mechanics.

Research and academic programs are tailored to meet individual needs and interests. Soon after their arrival, new students are strongly urged to visit faculty members to discuss research opportunities.

Admissions Requirements

The Department of Physics graduate program is open to all qualified graduates of universities and colleges of recognized standing. To be admitted with full status to the program, the applicant must

1. Hold a baccalaureate degree from an educational institution of recognized standing.
2. Have adequate preparation in physics, showing potential to undertake advanced study and research as evidenced by academic performance and experience.
3. Have earned a cumulative grade point average (GPA) in all courses of at least 3.0 or equivalent at the baccalaureate level. The student with a GPA of 3.0 or equivalent in a previous graduate degree program may be admitted in full standing.

Students who do not meet all requirements for admission or have deficiencies in prerequisite course work, but show potential for successful graduate study, may be admitted under a conditional status. Evidence must be provided showing that the applicant's potential is not adequately reflected by his/her record. After meeting the specified standards of performance by the department, the student, in consultation with the major adviser, may request a change to full graduate standing. The student may not earn more than 12 semester credits of graduate credit in the conditional status. The request for change must be submitted to the Dean of the Graduate School by the major adviser after approval by the department chair.

Applications should be submitted directly to the Graduate School before March 1 for admission in Fall Semester, and before September 1 for admission in Spring Semester. Early applications are encouraged. However, late applications may receive consideration.

Official transcripts (transcripts having an appropriate seal or stamp) of all previous undergraduate and graduate records must be received by the Graduate School before the application is complete. When a transcript is submitted in advance of completion of undergraduate or graduate studies, an updated transcript showing all course credits and grades must be provided prior to initial registration at NDSU.

Three letters of recommendation are required before action is taken on any application. Personal Reference Report forms are available online at the Graduate School webpage. Go to “How to Apply” and click on the link in number six.

The TOEFL examination is required of international applicants. A minimum score of 550 (paper test) or 213 (computer test) is required.

The Graduate Record Examination (Subject and/or General Tests) is strongly recommended for all students.

Financial Assistance

The student must apply to The Graduate School and be accepted in full or conditional status before being eligible for an assistantship in the Department of Physics.

Generally, graduate students are supported during the academic year by either teaching assistantships or research assistantships. The 2007-2008 academic year stipend was approximately $14,000 for 9 months. Additional support during the summer is also possible. Graduate tuition is fully waived for all teaching assistants and research assistants.

Degree Requirements

Master of Science

The Graduate Advisory Committee shall assign to each incoming graduate student a temporary advisor, who shall assist in the selection of courses. By the end of the second semester, the student must choose a permanent advisor, who will guide the student in research, and establish an advisory committee.

Each student must earn at least 30 graduate credits, numbered 601-798, of which:

1. at least 10 credits are Physics courses numbered 601-689 or 700-789;
2. at least 16 credits are didactic courses numbered 601-689 or 700-789;
3. between 6 and 10 credits are Physics 798 (Master's Thesis);
4. at least one credit must be Physics 790 Graduate Seminar.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Non-terminal Master's students who intend to pursue a PhD require 12 or more credits from Physics courses numbered 700-789.

Students are strongly encouraged to attend all seminars and colloquia. Each student must complete a plan of study soon after beginning thesis research. The student and advisor must agree upon two additional members of the Advisory Committee (in addition to the advisor). One additional member from outside the Physics Department will be appointed by the Graduate School, but suggestions can be made by the candidate.

Doctor of Philosophy

The Ph.D. program requires the completion of at least 90 graduate credits, numbered 601-799. Credits used to satisfy the requirements for the M.S. degree may be included in the total:

1. 27 or more must be in letter-graded courses.
2. 19 are the required physics courses (752, 755, 758, 761, 771, 781, and 790).
3. No more than 12 credits are in non-physics courses.

By the end of the first year the student must select a graduate advisor and a thesis topic. At this point the student must submit a plan of study. The student and advisor must nominate two additional members for the Ph.D. Committee. One additional member will be appointed by the Graduate School. One person on the Committee must be from outside the College of Science and Mathematics.

Comprehensive examination: in the second half of their second year students

1. hand in a report that summarizes their research results so far and details a research plan for the rest of their research work
2. give a talk about their research topic;
3. after their talk, an oral examination by their thesis committee has to be passed to confirm their doctoral status. This confirmation is a prerequisite for graduation.

If the student fails the comprehensive examination, she/he will be given the opportunity to repeat the examination in the next semester (this examination can be repeated only once). Alternatively, the student may elect to work for a master's degree instead.

Students should submit their doctoral thesis for examination at the end of their fourth year.

Research Equipment

The following equipment is available for research: global positioning system, picotesla magnetometry equipment, work stations; computer clusters, Nd:YAG , titanium: sapphire lasers; immediate access to scanning electron microscope; low- and high-field NMR; and X-ray powder diffractometer, materials processing lasers and a full complement of materials characterization equipment through the NDSU Center for Nanoscale Science and Engineering.

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Courses Offered

611 Optics for Scientists and Engineers 3

Introduction to modern optics. Geometric optics, electromagnetic nature of light, polarization, interference, diffraction, fiber optics. Corequisite laboratory with major related optics project. Prereq: Phys 252. Coreq: Phys 611L.

611L Optics for Scientists/Engrs. Lab. 1

Required laboratory for Pysics 611. Ten optics experiments plus a major related project. Prereq: Phys 252. Coreq: Phys 611.

613 Laser for Scientists and Engineers 2

Lecture and laboratory introduction to lasers. Spontaneous and stimulated transitions, linebroadening, gain, gain saturation, optical resonators, Fabry-Perot interferometers, theory of laser oscillation, rate equations, transverse modes, coherence, and Gaussian beams

615 Elements of Photonics 3

Analysis of optical systems using the matrix formulation, wave propagation in anisotropic media, electro-optic effect and laser modulation, physical origin of optical nonlinearities, phase matching, optical second harmonic and parametric generation. Prereq: Phys 252.

662 Heat and Thermodynamics 3

Laws of thermodynamics, equilibrium, and stability, thermodynamic potentials, entropy, phase transitions, and critical phenomena. Prereq: Phys 252 .

663 Statistical Mechanics 2

The Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution function and its applications to thermodynamic problems. Introduction to Bose-Einstein and Fermi-Dirac statistics. Prereq: Phys 462.

671 Advanced Laboratory 2

Advanced laboratory in modern physics: experiments such as electron diffraction, nuclear spectroscopy, magnetic domains, and bubbles. Data analysis and fitting and solutions of differential equations using Math CAD software package.

685 Quantum Mechanics I

Operators, one-dimensional wells and barriers, Schrodinger equation, uncertainty, duality, Born interpretation, unstable states, bosons and fermions, central force problems, angular momentum, spin.

686 Quantum Mechanics II

Continuation of PHYS 685. Perturbation theory, angular momentum addition, variational schemes, WKB method, scattering theory, time dependent problems. Prereq: PHYS 685.

752, 753 Mathematical Methods in Physics I, II 3 each

See Mathematics 782, 783 for description. Prereq for 753: Phys 752.

755 Classical Mechanics 3

Variational principles, Lagrange's equations, two body central force problem, rigid body motion, Hamilton's equations, canonical transformation, Hamilton-Jacobi theory. Prereq: Phys 352.

758 Statistical Physics 3

Ensembles, distribution functions, phase equilibrium, phase transitions, renormalization group theory, classical fluids, Monte Carlo and molecular dynamics simulation. Prereq: Phys 463.

761 Electromagnetism 3

Review of Maxwell's Equations, radiation, collisions between charged particles, dynamics of relativistic particles and fields. Prereq: Phys 361.

771, 772 Quantum Physics I, II 3 each

Schrodinger equation, wave packets, uncertainty, angular momentum, spin, second quantization, harmonic oscillator. Prereq for 771: Phys 486; Prereq for 772: Phys 771.

775 Nuclear Physics 3

Nuclear properties, nuclear force, nuclear models, nuclear decay, nuclear reactions, nuclear collisions, radioactivity, fission, fusion. Prereq: Phys 486.

781, 782 Solid State Physics I, II 3 each

Crystal structure and binding, reciprocal lattices and x-ray diffraction, lattice vibrations, thermal properties, free electron model, band theory, magnetism, superconductivity, properties of soft matter (colloids, polymers, liquid crystals, amhiphiles). Prereq for 781: Phys 486; Prereq for 782: Phys 781.

790 Seminar 1

The following variable credit courses are also offered:

 

793 Individual Study 1-5

696/796 Special Topics 1-5

797 Master's Paper 1-3

798 Master's Thesis 1-10

799 Doctoral Dissertation 1-15