Theoretical Physics Graduate Program

Students entering the graduate program at MSc level will need to complete the coursework requirements for the MSc (Physics) degree. These include 7.5 course units (5 one-semester classes) for an MSc, and a further 1.5 units (1 one-semester class) for a PhD. For MSc students, the primary course requirements are normally completed during the fall and spring semesters of the first year. A typical core course list for incoming particle theory students is shown below. Additional courses may be taken as required in the fall or spring of the second year.

Further 4th-year courses may also be required in addition for those students who have not already completed upper level courses in quantum mechanics (see e.g. PHYS 423), electromagnetism (see e.g. PHYS 422), and general relativity (see e.g. PHYS 415).

Fall term core courses include:
PHYS 500A  Quantum Mechanics I
PHYS 502A  Classical Electrodynamics

Spring term core courses include:
PHYS 501A  Quantum Theory and Quantum Fields

For upper-level MSc and PhD students, the advanced courses below may also be available, with further subjects covered by directed studies (PHYS 580).
PHYS 509 Standard Model Phenomenology
PHYS 513  Topics in Theoretical Physics

Additional graduate courses which may be of interest to theory students are offered by the Particle Physics, Astronomy, and Condensed Matter Physics Groups and may include:
ASTR 508  Cosmology
PHYS 507A  Solid State Physics I
PHYS 515  Data Analysis Techniques for Physics and Astronomy