Master of Science
Physics
Faculty
D.T. Petkie, Department Head and Professor; Ph.D., Ohio State University. Millimeter-wave and Terahertz sensing, spectroscopy, electromagnetic scattering and propagation, photonics, optics and imaging.
P. K. Aravind, Professor; Ph.D., Northwestern University. Quantum information theory.
N. A. Burnham, Professor; Ph.D., University of Colorado. Mechanical properties of nanostructures, instrumentation for nanomechanics.
G. S. Iannacchione, Professor; Ph.D., Kent State University. Soft condensed matter physics/ complex fluids, liquid-crystals, calorimetry, and order-disorder phenomena.
W.C. McCarthy, Assistant Professor; Ph.D., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Nuclear Science and engineering, Fusion Sciences, Plasma Physics, Medical Imaging.
D. C. Medich, Professor; Ph.D., University of Massachusetts – Lowell. Nuclear science and engineering, medical and health physics, radiation biology.
B. Pollard, Assistant Teaching Professor; Ph.D., University of Colorado Boulder. Physics Education Research with a focus on physics laboratory courses.
R. S. Quimby, Associate Professor; Ph.D., University of Wisconsin – Madison. Optical properties of solids, laser spectroscopy, fiber optics.
L. R. Ram-Mohan, Professor; Ph.D., Purdue University. Field theory, many body problems, solid state physics, and finite-element modeling of quantum systems.
I. Stroe, Associate Teaching Professor; Ph.D., Clark University. Experimental biophysics, protein structure, dynamic, and functionality.
L. V. Titova, Associate Professor; Ph.D., University of Notre Dame. THz spectroscopy of nanomaterials for energy applications; optical excitations and ultrafast carrier dynamics in nanomaterials.
R. Trubko, Assistant Professor; Ph.D., University of Arizona. Quantum physics, Nitrogen-vacancy centers in diamond, magnetic microscopy and imaging for biosciences and geosciences, machine learning, optics.
Q. Wen, Associate Professor, Ph.D., Brown University. Experimental biophysics, mechanical properties of tissue cells and biological materials, cell-ECM interactions.
K. Wu, Assistant Professor, Ph.D., New York University. Active matter, kinesin-driven microtubules, fluid dynamics, experimental soft matter and biophysics.
R. Zekavat, Professor; Ph.D., Colorado state University. Wireless Localization and Communications, Propagation Channel Modeling, Statistical Signal Processing, Sensor Data Analysis and Machine Learning.
A. Zozulya, Professor; Ph.D., Lebedev Physics Institute. Nonlinear optics, photorefractive materials, atom pipes.
Affiliated Faculty
C. Furlong, Professor; Ph.D., WPI, 1999. MEMS and MOEMS, micro- /nano-technology & -fabrication, mechatronics, laser metrology & applications, holographic and ultrasonic imaging and NDT, computer modeling of dynamic systems, acoustics.
Y. Liu, Associate Professor; Ph.D., University of Maryland, 2011. Fiber optical tweezers, silicon nanophotonics and nanomechanics, optofluidics, fiber optic sensors, cell mechanics, biomimetics.
Research Areas
The two major areas of research in the department are: Biophysics/Soft-Matter and Nanoscience/Condensed Matter Physics, including optics and photonics.
Nanoscience/Condensed Matter
Cold atoms – Bose-Einstein Condensation of bosons and fermions, atom wave guides and interferometers.
Magnetic Solids – Magnetic impurities in semiconductors: diluted magnetic semiconductors and the onset of ferromagnetism in spintronic materials.
Nanomechanics – Mechanical properties of nanostructures, instrumentation and metrology for nanomechanics.
Photonics – Nonlinear optics, fiber optics, optical properties of rough surfaces and of thin metal films. Development of infrared fiber lasers and materials, mid-IR and FIR quantum cascade laser design and Photonic Integrated Circuits.
Quantum Information – Foundations of quantum mechanics, quantum algorithms.
Semiconductors – Optical properties of super-lattices, heterostructure laser design, spintronics in diluted magnetic semiconductors,devices.
Spectroscopy – Laser spectroscopy of impurity ions in glasses, quasi-elastic/inelastic light scattering and excitation/ modulation spectroscopy of super-lattices, thin films, surface phenomena and gas phase molecular spectroscopy.
Ultrafast optical spectroscopy – Terahertz science and technology, optical properties of nanomaterials for energy conversion.
Wavefunction Engineering – Nanostructures, finite-element modeling of quantum systems and wells, field theory.
Biophysics/Soft-Matter
Active matter – non-equilibrium statistical physics, dynamics of confined active fluids, self-organization of energy-consuming materials, self-propelled particles, self-pumping fluids, biopolymers (microtubules, actins), molecular motors (kinesin, myosin), bio-mimetic materials.
Biomaterials – hydration effects on protein dynamics, thermodynamics of proteins and DNA, self-assembly of biomaterials, dielectric relaxation spectroscopy, relaxation calorimetry, resonant ultrasound spectroscopy, studies of tissue cells, theory and simulations of bio-polymers and molecular motors.
Biomechanics – Locomotion of living organisms, cellular structure and motion, computational biophysical fluid dynamics.
Cellular biophysics – Cell mechanics and intra-cellular transport, physics of the cytoskeleton (cellular skeleton), cargo transport in cells, super-resolution imaging, correlation spectroscopy, simulations of cellular processes.
Complex Fluids – Diffusion and transport properties of complex fluids, light scattering spectroscopy of liquids and polymer melts, mesoscale simulations of liquids, capillary wave theory, theory and simulations of phase transitions in multi-component mixtures, active fluids.
Glasses – Theory and simulation, thermodynamics and relaxation dynamics.
Liquid Crystals – Thermotropic/lyotropic/ colloidal systems, phase transitions and critical phenomena, cooperative behavior and self-assembly, quenched random disorder effects, calorimetry instrumentation.
Polymers – Molecular properties at the single molecule level, polymer and bio-macromolecular solutions, surfactants, colloids.
Nuclear Science and Engineering
Health Physics: radioactive particle resuspension, effects of active dosimetry on radiation safety, development of instrumentation for neutron imaging, nuclear security, material and contaminate characterization via Neutron Activation Analysis, development of a compact neutron collimator for enhanced planar neutron flux.
Medical Physics: development of ultrahigh resolution physiological imaging with neutrons, intensity modulated brachytherapy using Yb-169, development of Gafchromic film dosimetry for uses in high-gradient brachytherapy
Plasma Sciences: Magnetic confinement fusion, Electrostatic confinement fusion, plasma material interactions, basic plasma sciences
Radiation Dosimetry: Dosimetric analysis and calculations; Monte Carlo radiation transport and energy deposition simulations
Program of Study
The Department of Physics offers programs leading to the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Physics and the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Applied Physics with concentrations in Biophysics and Soft Condensed Matter, Medical Physics, Nanoscience and Technology, Photonics, and Radiological Sciences. The Department of Physics also offers a Master of Science program in Physics for Educators (MPED) and a Graduate Certificate in Nuclear Science and Engineering (NSE) and an accelerated B.S./M.S. program.
Research opportunities are available in experimental, theoretical, and computational studies of biophysics and soft condensed matter physics, materials science, medical physics, nanoscience, optics, photonics, atomic physics, and radiological sciences. In addition to coursework and research opportunities, professional development opportunities also exist for students interested in a career pathway in academia, industry, federal laboratories, and education. The Physics program reserves its financial aid for graduate students in the Ph.D. program.
Physics Program (Ph.D. and M.S.)
WPI Physics graduate program provides students with a broad background in the core areas of fundamental physical sciences and prepares students for careers in research in an academic, industry, or national laboratory setting. In addition to core courses, students are encouraged to acquire breadth by choosing special topics courses to complement their studies. Students carry out rigorous research in theoretical and experimental physics areas including: biophysics, condensed matter physics, optics, quantum physics, atomic, and nuclear physics. The M.S. program provides a suitable foundation for the pursuit of a Ph.D. degree in physics, or a related field, or for a career in industry immediately after graduation.
Applied Physics Program (Ph.D. and M.S.)
The Applied Physics program provides a flexible set of interdisciplinary skills to prepare students for careers at national and international laboratories, industry, education, and academia. It combines a core physics curriculum with cross-cutting research in areas at interface of physics and other scientific disciplines. Applied Physics Ph.D. and M.S. students are required to select a research concentration and a corresponding set of thematically related courses from the following five options: Biophysics and Soft Condensed Matter Physics, Medical Physics, Nanoscience and Technology, Photonics, and Radiological Sciences.
Master of Science in Physics for Educators (MPED)
The Master of Science in Physics for Educators is designed specifically for middle school, high school, and community college in-service educators. The emphasis of the program is put on physics courses designed for educators and is combined with courses in assessment and evaluation theory and a participant-designed project. The physics content courses are intended to give educators a deep but applicable understanding of physics that makes advanced physics topics easily accessible to educators and the students they teach. Topics covered will include modern physics, methods in physics and physics for citizens and leaders. Support for degree candidates extends beyond the specific coursework and projects as participants will become part of a network of physicists which ranges from local individuals to a much broader community. The program may be used to help middle and high school educators move from Initial to Professional Licensure in Massachusetts. For information about admissions and requirements, see the listing under STEM for Educators.
Graduate Certificate in Nuclear Science and Engineering (NSE)
The Graduate Certificate in Nuclear Science & Engineering requires the successful completion of 12-18 graduate credit-hours) with an overall GPA of 3.0. Credits are chosen from the NSE 510-50 course listing or by approval of the NSE Program Committee. Courses cover such topics as nuclear power, radioactivity, chain reaction physics, nuclear reactor safety, power plant design and operation, and case studies of nuclear accidents. These courses are offered on campus, and online through Corporate and Professional Education. The faculty in the certificate program hold a full-time position in a WPI academic department or are affiliated faculty approved by an academic department and NSE program review committee.
Combined B.S./M.S. Program
The Department of Physics offers a combined B.S./M.S. degree option in Physics and Applied Physics for undergraduate students currently enrolled at WPI. The university rules for B.S./M.S. programs are described in the undergraduate catalog and graduate catalog. It is recommended that the M.S. application be submitted at the beginning of the student’s junior year of undergraduate study at WPI.
Admission Requirements
M.S. and Ph.D. Physics and Applied Physics Programs
For the M.S. or Ph.D. in Physics programs, a B.S. in Physics, Applied Physics or the equivalent is required for admission. The Applied Physics M.S. and Ph.D. programs also allow students to be admitted with B.S. degrees from other areas, such as engineering, materials science, or other natural sciences. Candidates not meeting this minimum academic requirement may be required to take additional undergraduate courses, which do not count towards coursework to satisfy graduate degree requirements. Well-qualified Ph.D. candidates entering with an M.S. degree in Physics, Applied Physics or its equivalent will be considered by the Physics Department Graduate Committee (PDGC) for admission with Ph.D. 60 status, as described in Degree Requirements section under General Requirements for the Doctorate. The application to any program must include a Statement of Purpose describing the motivation for pursuing a graduate degree in Physics or Applied Physics at WPI and identifying one or more faculty members as potential research advisors. Students applying to the Applied Physics program are required to identify a specific concentration. Applicants should contact faculty directly to learn about their research. Transcripts from every previously attended college or university, a CV, and three letters of reference are also required.
MPED and NSE Programs
A B.S. in Physics is preferred. However, applicants with comparable backgrounds will also be considered.
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M.S. in Physics or Applied Physics, -
Ph.D. in Physics or Applied Physics, Ph.D.
Classes
PH 500: Independent Study
Department
Various specialized topics and/or research areas from one to two graduate students. Arranged individually with the faculty.
PH 511: Classical Mechanics I
Department
Lagrangian formulation Kinematics and dynamics of rigid bodies. Small oscillations. Motion in non-inertial frames, Hamiltonian mechanics. Canonical transformations. Hamilton-Jacobi theory.
PH 514: Quantum Mechanics I
Department
Schrodinger equation, potential wells and barriers, Hilbert space formulation of quantum mechanics and applications, Central potentials, hydrogen atom, isotropic oscillator, angular momentum and spin.
PH 515: Quantum Mechanics II
Department
Time independent perturbation theory, variational method and WKB method, time-dependent perturbation theory, partial wave theory of scattering, integral approach to scattering theory and Born approximation.
PH 522: Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics
Department
The laws of thermodynamics. Elements of kinetic theory. Ensemble theory: canonical, microcanonical, and grand canonical ensembles. Quantum statistical mechanics, Bose-Einstein and Fermi-Dirac statistics. Special topics in statistical mechanics.
PH 533: Advanced Electromagnetic Theory
Department
Classical electrodynamics including boundary-value problems using Greens functions, Maxwell’s equations, electromagnetic properties of matter, wave propagation and radiation theory.
PH 541: Mathematical Methods in Physics
Department
The emphasis of the course is on mathematical techniques needed by physicists. The course covers functions of complex variable, special functions, Fourier and Laplace transforms, linear algebra and tensor analysis.
PH 544: Fundamentals of Photonics
Department
Wave optics, Gaussian beams, photon optics, guided-wave optics, semiconductor optics (sources and detectors), interaction of photons with atoms.
PH 548: Fundamentals of Sensors
Department
The course offers an overview of basic sensor physics and technologies to provide practical working knowledge of sensors. The course will include basic sensor operating principles, the physics of sensors, electrical interfacing to sensors, measurement principles, and applications. A wide range of sensors could be covered, such as temperature, photonic, acoustic, chemical, biological, electromagnetic, pressure, position and motion sensors. There will also be a laboratory component to the course.
PH 554: Solid State Physics
Department
Phonons and specific heat of solids; electronic conductivity and band theory of solids; Fermi and Bose gases, Optical properties of materials. Magnetic interactions.
PH 561: Atomic Force Microscopy
Department
Atomic force microscopes (AFMs) are instruments that allow three-dimensional imaging of surfaces with nanometer resolution and are important enabling tools for nanoscience and technology.
The student who successfully completes this course will understand the functional principles of AFMs, be able to run one, and interpret the data that are collected. The recommended background for this course is a bachelors degree in science or engineering. Students who have successfully completed PH 2510, the undergraduate version of this course, may not earn credit for PH 561.
PH 562: Fundamentals of Biological Physics
Department
The course will cover the fundamental concepts of biological physics. The main objective is to learn how to apply the principles of physics, methods of mathematical analysis and computational modeling to complex biological systems and develop a better understanding. The approach will be truly interdisciplinary, bringing concepts from statistical physics, classical mechanics, cell biology, chemistry and biochemistry. Topics covered include: biology by the numbers: time and length scales, mechanical and chemical equilibrium in the living cell, entropy in biology, two-state systems and cooperative binding, random walks and the structure of macromolecules, architecture of the cytoskeleton, biological membranes, modeling of fluids, statistical view of biological dynamics, life in crowded environments, rate equations and dynamics in the cell, dynamics of molecular motors.
PH 563: Introduction to Experimental Methods in Biophysics
Department
The course will overview the biophysical experimental techniques which are used in the study of the structure and function of biological systems at the cellular and molecular level. The main objectives are to understand the principles of most common biophysical technics and to learn essential skills to perform lab research in biophysics. Topics covered include: light microscopy, super-resolution microscopy, image processing, electron microscopy, x-ray diffraction and protein structure determination, NMR, spectroscopy, calcium measurements, resonance energy transfer, patch-clamp, optical tweezers, rheological characterization of soft materials, molecular force measurements, proportional-integral-derivative automation, protein expression, and design of DNA plasmid. Students will gain hands-on experience on cutting-edge biophysical techniques and will receive training on data collection, data analyzation, and scientific report writing.
PH 571: Biophysics/ Soft Condensed Matter Journal Club
Department
Students interested in Biophysics/ Soft Condensed Matter read journal articles, prepare presentations and give short talks, engage in critical discussion, and provide feedback to fellow students. The objectives of the course are for students to learn about current topics in the broad area Biophysics/ Soft Condensed Matter and biotechnology and to improve their professional skills.
Recommended Background
A bachelor’s degree in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics.
PH 572: Nanoscience Journal Club
Department
Students interested in nanoscience read journal articles, write abstracts, give short talks, engage in critical discussion, and provide feedback to fellow students. The objectives of the course are for students to learn about current topics in nanoscience and nanotechnology and to improve their professional skills.
PH 580: Graduate Seminar
Department
Students attend Physics Colloquia by WPI faculty and invited scientists on current research topics in different areas of physics. They discuss results and ideas presented in those talks. In addition, students give presentations on their research or on problems of current interest to physics community. The course therefore will provide opportunities for students to develop their presentation skills, broaden their perspectives and provide networking opportunities. All full-time physics graduate students are required to register and attend.
PH 585: Scientific Writing and Proposal Development
Department
This course will cover key elements of writing successful grant or fellowship proposals, as well as manuscripts. The topics that will be covered will include project development, identification of funding agencies or journals, proposal and manuscript writing and editing, as well as aspects of the submission and review process. Students will be expected to develop a proposal, and participate in reviews. Students are expected to complete this course prior to taking the Ph.D. Qualifying Exam in Physics.
Recommended Background
A bachelor’s degree in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics.
PH 597: Special Topics
Department
Arranged by physics faculty for individual or groups of students, these offerings cover topics that are not covered by the regular Physics course offerings. Exact course descriptions are posted by the faculty in advance of the offering.
PH 598: Directed Research
Department
A directed and coherent program of research that, in most cases, will eventually lead to thesis or dissertation research. This is also used for Directed Research Rotation (for 3 credit hours) for first year students who have not yet taken the Qualifying Examination in order to explore the available research opportunities.
PH 599: M.S. Thesis Research
Department
Each student will work under the supervision of a member of the department on the thesis research for their Master of Science in Physics degree.
Prerequisites
Consent of advisor
PH 699: Ph.D. Dissertation
Department
Can be taken any time after passing the Physics Qualifying Examination but required in the last semester for the writing and defending of the Ph.D. dissertation.
Prerequisites
Consent of advisor
PH 798: Comprehensive Written Examination
Department
Comprehensive Written Examination prepared, administered and evaluated by the Physics Department Graduate Committee (PDGC).
Recommended Background
Student should be enrolled in the Physics or Applied Physics Ph.D. program.
PH 799: Ph.D. Qualifying Examination
Department
Students are required to write and defend an original research proposal before a committee representative of the area of their specialization, approved and appointed by the Physics Department Graduate Committee (PDGC).
Recommended Background
Student should be enrolled in the Physics Graduate program, seeking a Ph.D. degree.