Graduate Degree: General Requirements

The registration schedule for each semester is given in the Course Schedule (available online or for purchase at local textbook stores around campus). There is an advising and registration period in the middle of each long semester for the following long semester. A regular advising and registration period precedes the beginning of the semester. The last day for possible registration is generally the fourth day of classes. You must maintain good standing, including paying any outstanding fees, bills, or fines, in order to be permitted to register. Until you are admitted to Ph.D. candidacy, you must also be advised before registering. Come to the Graduate Office for this semi-annual review of your progress and plans.

You can easily change your choice of courses through the fourth class day. However, if you want to drop one of the core courses, you should consult the Graduate Adviser. After the fourth class day, it becomes increasingly difficult to change registration. Physics courses can be added and dropped through the Physics Graduate Office. The last possible day to add a course is generally the twelfth day of classes, and the addition requires special approvals.

To be designated a full-time student, you must be registered for a minimum of nine semester hours in a long semester. (The summer rules are more complicated; consult the Graduate Office.) Full-time status is required for appointment as a Teaching Assistant (TA), Graduate Research Assistant (GRA), or Assistant Instructor (AI), as well as for students in University housing and for certain student loans and other financial assistance. You must maintain this status throughout the semester. (Although the explicit rules for dropping a course appear quite liberal, dropping a course can be difficult in practice if you are registered for the minimum full-time load.)

The Graduate School has rules governing student employment. First-year students may not be appointed for more than 20 hours per week. Thereafter, employment is limited to a maximum of 30 hours per week. Employment of international students is subject to additional rules associated with visas.

You will find that many actions require the approval of the Graduate Adviser, the Department, etc. The Graduate Adviser, who is also Chair of Graduate Studies Committee in Physics, provides the required signature in most cases. Special cases are reviewed by a Physics faculty committee, the Graduate Studies Subcommittee (GSSC).

You will note that there are many times and deadlines for various actions—registration, examinations, submitting forms, etc. Although the Physics Department tries to be as tolerant as possible regarding these matters, dates set by the University and by the Graduate School are rigid. Failure to meet these deadlines will require at the least special formal requests and petitions, might require the payment of late fees, and might simply be irreversible. Always allow yourself adequate time to meet these deadlines!

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