Fits in well with other research. Upper-level physics courses are highly mathematical. Upper-level undergraduate and graduate students take applied math courses taught by the math department. The vast majority of TCU graduates from this program go to industry jobs. The quality of instruction is enhanced by faculty involvement in research.
Research is impossible without graduate students to help teach and conduct research.
The department has a large teaching load and graduate students are needed to instruct labs. There is that possibility and we need to explore it further. 3 or 4 more fellowships in order to be able to perform research as well as give high-quality instruction successfully. Everything, when it comes down to it, requires more money. Graduate programs are essential for recruiting top faculty members.