1. The Theoretical Physics Program is an interdisciplinary Doctor of Philosophy program offered jointly by the Department of Mathematics and Statistics and the Department of Physics and Physical Oceanography. It is broadly based and includes several subdisciplines with the common denominator that each applies advanced mathematical techniques to the study of physical problems. The subdisciplines include, though are not necessarily limited to, theoretical astrophysics, general relativity, partial differential equations of mathematical physics, quantum mechanics, classical and quantum field theory, theoretical condensed matter physics, many-body theory, advanced classical mechanics and non-linear processes, and theoretical and geophysical fluid mechanics.

2. The program is administered by the Board of Studies which is appointed by the Dean of Science in consultation with those faculty members active in the program. The Board of Studies will consist of two members from the Department of Physics and Physical Oceanography and two members from the Department of Mathematics and Statistics. The Program Chair is elected by the Board of Studies and appointed by the Dean of Science. Responsibilities of the Board include making recommendations to the School of Graduate Studies concerning admissions to the program, determining course requirements, and administering comprehensive exams. It also determines minimum levels of funding, administers the School of Graduate Studies and Graduate Teaching Assistant budgets, and monitors' students' annual progress through the submission of annual supervisory committee reports.

The following regulations should be read in conjunction with the General Regulations:

1. A program of study for the Ph.D. Degree in Theoretical Physics shall normally include a minimum of 9 graduate credit hours in courses offered by the Department of Mathematics and Statistics and/or the Department of Physics and Physical Oceanography. The courses will be determined by the student’s supervisory committee in consultation with the Program Chair and approved by the Board of Studies. In special circumstances more or fewer graduate courses and/or undergraduate courses may be required.

2. Students are required to pass a single Comprehensive Examination as prescribed under Comprehensive Examinations, Ph.D. Comprehensive Examination. This shall be an oral one, and may include the presentation of a written research proposal.

3. The most important requirement is the writing of a doctoral thesis which demonstrates the student’s ability to independently and originally attack and solve a significant problem in theoretical physics. The thesis must definitively advance the subject which it treats.