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Graduate Degree Information
The official requirements for a graduate degree are prescribed in the Graduate Catalog, but there are also schedules and procedures listed in the Course Schedule for each semester, regulations listed in other University publications, and some requirements and procedures not to be found in any publication. This is not an official publication. Although every effort is made to be accurate, the official rules are those as stated in official publications.
This guide covers the basic and usual procedures. Exceptions, special cases, and the procedures for treating them are omitted. If you have questions or uncertainty, be sure to visit us to discuss the matter.
The Physics Graduate Office is located on the fifth floor of RLM; see the column to the right for complete contact information. You can always refer to copies of the Catalog and Course Schedules there, as well as review notices of new courses, job opportunities, and fellowships. The current Graduate Advisor and Chair of the Graduate Studies Committee is Prof. John Keto.
Please note that the Graduate Office is part of the Physics Department, whereas the Graduate School refers to the Vice President and Dean of the Graduate School with offices in the Main Building (Tower), Room 101.
Master’s Degree
The MA degree requires 30 hours of credit, including six hours of thesis. Of the remaining 24 hours, 18 credit hours of course work must be in Physics and at least six hours of course work must be in supporting work outside of Physics. All requirements must be completed within one six-year period. The MA degree is not required to advance to the Ph.D. program.
The MS degree requires 30 hours of credit, six of which are obtained by the preparation of the required thesis. This course work must include the graduate-level Physics courses in experimental physics, quantum mechanics, classical electrodynamics, the physics of sensors, and the technical seminar. Supporting work must be chosen from engineering, chemistry, or geological sciences.
Ph.D.
There are several steps in the program leading to the Ph.D. degree, the most important of which is the last, the preparation and defense of a dissertation based on original research.
Prior to being admitted to candidacy for the Ph.D. degree, the student must: Take four core courses—quantum mechanics, classical electrodynamics, classical mechanics, and statistical mechanics—with a GPA of B+ (3.33); show evidence of exposure to modern methods of experimental physics through a senior-level course, participation in an experimental research program, or by taking the graduate course in experimental physics; and present a seminar on a proposed research topic followed by an oral examination.
After satisfying these three requirements, the student prepares a program of work for the Ph.D. degree, listing the courses the student has completed and those that will be taken to satisfy the requirements for the degree. The program of work must be approved by the graduate adviser in the Physics department and by the Dean of Graduate Studies. Following this approval, the student is admitted to candidacy for the Ph.D. degree.
The last step in the process is the preparation of a dissertation based on original research. The research leading to the dissertation is done under the supervision of a faculty committee chaired by the students’ dissertation director. This is certainly the most rewarding—and the most time-consuming—part of the degree program. Approval of the dissertation follows a final oral examination covering the dissertation and related topics in physics.
Peking University–University of Texas dual-Ph.D. program
UT also participates in a special program allowing a Ph.D. student (who has already completed a Master’s degree) to pursue a Ph.D. at both UT and Peking University simultaneously. For more information, please visit the program’s informational site.
Requirements and Courses
For additional Graduate Degree information, select one of the following options: