Classes listed are 3 credit hours each. Fall and spring semesters require registering for 9 credit hours to be considered a full-time student, and the summer semester requires 3 credit hours. “Odd” terms indicate classes are available in 2017, 2019, etc., while “Even” indicates availability for 2018, 2020, and so forth.

Courses Availability

Course Number Course Name Availability Additional comments for degree credit
PHY 5103 Classical Mechanics I Every Fall Core Course
PHY 5203 Electrodynamics I Every Fall Core Course
PHY 6403 Fundamentals of Space Physics Every Fall Elective, taught by SwRI adjoints
PHY 6123 Studies in Modern Space Sciences  Odd Fall Elective, taught by SwRI adjoints
PHY 5303 Statistical Mechanics Every Spring Core Course
PHY 5403 Quantum Mechanics I Every Spring Core Course
PHY 7703 Planetary Science Even Spring Elective, taught by SwRI adjoints
PHY 7703 Astronomical Instrumentation Even Spring Elective, taught by SwRI adjoints
PHY 7703 Space Physics Laboratory Odd Spring Elective, taught by SwRI adjoints
PHY 7703 Magnetospheric Physics Fall 2026 & Spring 2029 Elective, taught by SwRI adjoints
PHY 7703 Heliospheric Physics Spring 2027 & Fall 2030 Elective, taught by SwRI adjoints
PHY 7703 Ionospheric Physics Fall 2028 & Fall 2032 Elective, taught by SwRI adjoints

All Terms

Course Number Course Name Availability Additional comments for degree credit
PHY 7013 Research Seminar All Fall or Spring Required, register once and attend 3 semesters
PHY 6953 Independent Study All Terms Elective, 2 max towards degree
PHY 7003 Directed Research All Terms Required, 2 minimum
PHY 7973 Special Topics in Physics All Terms Elective, topic dependent

Variable Terms

Course Number Course Name Availability Additional comments for degree credit
PHY 6133 Introduction to Scientific Writing Varies Elective, taught by UTSA
PHY 6413 Fundamentals of Astronomy Varies Elective, taught by both UTSA and SwRI adjoints
PHY 6613 Methods of Experimental Physics Varies Elective, taught by UTSA
PHY 7903 Topics in Astrophysics Varies Elective, taught by both UTSA and SwRI adjoints

Candidate Status

Course Number Course Name Availability Additional comments for degree credit
PHY 7103 Doctoral Research All Terms Required, 9 minimum
PHY 7113 Doctoral Dissertation All Terms Required, 4 minimum