Requirements for a Ph.D. in Physics

The first requirement is straightforward: You must complete the four core courses (385K Classical Mechanics, 385L Statistical Mechanics, 387K Electromagnetism I or 387L Electromagnetism II, and 389K Quantum Mechanics I or 389L Quantum Mechanics II) within two years, with no letter grade below B-, and an average of B+ or better. You may retake a course with the higher grade counting. For use in this calculation, Physics instructors assign ± grades in these courses, counted as ±0.3. For the purpose of computing this average, a student who takes 380N may use that grade in place of one of the core course grades.

A well-prepared student may seek to fulfill the core course requirement by taking only the final examinations and earning the grade of at least B- for one or two of these courses rather than by registering for them; in this case, the student does not receive graduate credit for these courses and the grade is not counted toward the required average. (Only one attempt is allowed for each course, and the examination must be taken no later than the third semester to leave time to take the course within the two-year period.)

In addition to completing these core courses, you must demonstrate acquaintance with modern methods of experimental physics. Physics 380N meets this requirement, as does laboratory work done while a graduate student. Other acceptable evidence must be considered individually by submitting written reports of accomplished research to current or recent instructors of 380N.

During this period, you should also be exploring specialties in which you might pursue research. For most areas, certain advanced courses are necessary to reach the level required for the qualifying examination. These courses and their prerequisites are principal considerations in scheduling your courses during the first two years.

When you have completed the preceding requirements, you may apply to take the qualifying examination, which in any case must be taken within 27 months of entering graduate school. This is a combination of public seminar followed by private oral examination on a topic of your choosing. The seminar need not present original work; you are expected only to demonstrate sufficient command of a specialty to begin original research in that area. The topic is usually that which will become your dissertation. As part of the examination, you will generally be expected to indicate a problem whose solution would be a satisfactory dissertation.

In preparation for this qualifier, you must choose a member of the Physics Graduate Studies Committee (GSC)—all faculty are members of this committee—as chair of the examining committee, who will assist you in choosing a specific topic and preparing for the examination. You must select a total of four Physics faculty members, at least one of whom must be a member of the Physics Graduate Studies Subcommittee (GSSC), to serve as examiners and schedule a suitable time with them. The forms for this examination are available online and should be prepared two weeks in advance of the examination. A written abstract of the talk is required.

After you pass your qualifying examination, you may apply for Ph.D. candidacy. This requires finding a supervisor, selecting a research topic, assembling a dissertation committee, and formulating a program of work (a list of courses, completed and future) that meets the requirements given below. The application for Ph.D. candidacy is available online from the Graduate School. The dissertation committee consists of at least five members, at least one of whom must be from a different department. The chairman of the Dissertation Committee ordinarily serves as the supervisor of research. When the research supervisor is not a member of the Graduate Studies Committee (GSC), a member of the GSC will be appointed as co-chairman of the Dissertation Committee. (A list of current members of the GSC is printed in the Graduate Catalog, which is available on the Registrar’s web site.) If the supervisor is not a member of the Physics Department faculty, a majority of the committee should be. We can help you with this paperwork, as well as answer related questions. You have one long semester after passing the qualifier to advance to candidacy. (Otherwise, you will not be permitted to register in Graduate School.)

In addition to the core courses listed above, you are required to take at least four advanced physics courses (with a letter grade of at least B-), at least one of which must be in a specialty other than that of your dissertation. A current list of courses approved under this rubric is shown below; but note that these courses are not offered each semester, some are no longer offered, and others may be added in the future. Special topics courses (with the numbers ending in “T”) do not count as advanced courses.

You are also required to take three courses in supporting work—work outside of your specialty—including at least one course outside the Physics department. This is generally met by the advanced physics course outside of your specialty; a graduate course outside of the Department; and a third course, either outside of the Department or a Physics course outside of your specialty. This third course does not have to be an advanced physics course. The courses outside the Department may be taken pass/fail. All of these required courses and the dissertation must be listed in your program of work. You may list other courses that you have taken, but there is no reason to do so.

Once you have advanced to candidacy, you must enroll in PHY_99R (3-, 6-, or 9-hour course) dissertation research courses (take only the first semester you are in candidacy, do not repeat), then maintain continuous registration in PHY_99W, the disseration writing course. Advising is no longer required to register. You have three years to complete your dissertation and to take any courses remaining on your program of work. If you have not completed the requirements within three years, further registration depends upon the recommendation of your dissertation committee, the Physics GSC, and the Dean of the Graduate School. If your dissertation committee finds that you are making good progress towards the degree, an additional year of candidacy is commonly granted. Beyond that, however, candidacy will be extended only with specific argument and special circumstances.

At the beginning of the semester in which you expect to graduate, you must apply for graduation. There are multiple deadlines associated with graduation. Among these is the request for the oral defense of the dissertation, which requires the final abstract of the dissertation, drafts for the committee members, and signatures of the entire committee. The form must be filed with the Graduate School at least two weeks in advance of the examination. There is also a deadline for submitting the dissertation, including signatures of each committee member, in the exact form dictated by the Graduate School. Be sure to review all the requirements carefully and confer with the members of your dissertation committee to confirm that they will be available when needed. If you have not taken all the courses listed in your program of work, but have taken equivalent courses instead, you must formally request a change in your program of work. If you encounter or anticipate any problems, please see us as soon as possible to explore possible actions—problems often have solutions, but they all take time to effect!

Intensive One-Year Master’s (Würzburg)

Fall
380N — Experimental Physics
390 — Research Course
3xx — Physics course (386K suggested)
3xx — Physics (or related) course

Spring
698A — Master’s Thesis
386N — Technical Seminar
3xx — Physics course
3xx — Mathematics, CAM, EE, or other technical course

Summer
698B — Master’s Thesis
3xx — Mathematics, CAM, EE, or other technical course

The six hours of technical supporting work can be transferred from the University of Würzburg.

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