Physics Ph.D.

1. A Minimum

A minimum of 36 graduate-level semester credits in physics or related fields (excluding doctoral dissertation and graduate seminar), which must include the following core courses:

• PHYS 711 - Electromagnetic Theory I
• PHYS 712 - Electromagnetic Theory II
• PHYS 721 - Quantum Theory I
• PHYS 722 - Quantum Theory II
• PHYS 700 - Mathematical Physics I
• PHYS 731 - Statistical Physics I

• 
  Six of the 36 credits must be taken in the fourth or fifth year. Course work used to satisfy the requirements for a master’s degree may be included. A minimum grade of B- is required in each course. An overall GPA of 3.00 or better is required on all course work that is part of the degree program. Course work taken outside the Physics Department must have departmental approval.
   

2. Six Credits

• PHYS 796 - Graduate Seminar

• 
  including three acceptable presentations by the student
   

3. A Minimum

• PHYS 799 - Doctoral Dissertation

• 
  A minimum of 18 semester credits of:
   

4. Satisfactory Performance

On a written qualifying examination on advanced undergraduate physics and a satisfactory score on the GRE Advanced Physics examination. Successful candidates to the doctoral program must have satisfactory scores (generally 50 percent or better) on the GRE Advanced Physics test. Both of these requirements must be fulfilled during the first two years in the graduate program.

5. Disseration

A dissertation of high quality.

6. Satisfactory Performance

On a final examination that will consist of an oral defense of the dissertation.

Notes

A student who enters the doctoral program with a master’s degree must satisfy all of the above requirements numbered 1-6. The exact number of graduate semester credit hours past the master’s degree will depend upon the quality of the student’s preparation and the rate of progress during research.

All courses used to satisfy the course work requirement (listed as 1 above) must have the approval of the Department. The number of graduate credits beyond the master’s level must be at least 30 and typically will be more. Each student will have a four-member advisory committee, which will carry out an annual review of the student’s progress.