Physics
Note: The discipline-specific requirements listed here are in addition to the requirements listed in Interdisciplinary Ph.D. Application Procedure and Minimum Criteria for Admission and Minimum Interdisciplinary Ph.D. Academic Regulations and Degree Requirements earlier in this section.
Discipline-Specific Admission RequirementsFor admission to the program, an applicant must meet both the Interdisciplinary Ph.D. and specific physics admission requirements. The doctoral studies committee of the Department of Physics will review applications and make admission recommendations to the Interdisciplinary Ph.D. Executive Committee. The basic criterion for admission is the likelihood that an applicant will be successful in the Interdisciplinary Ph.D. program, particularly in the research component of the program. All applicants must satisfy the doctoral studies committee that they meet this criterion through such evidence as transcripts, letters of recommendation, statements of purpose, GRE scores (general and subject), performance on the department written examination, etc. Furthermore, a member of the doctoral faculty must be willing to accept the applicant as a research student. International students are required to have a TOEFL score of at least 550 (213 CBT) for admission and 575 (230 CBT) to be eligible for a teaching assistantship.
Qualifying Requirements for Full AdmissionIn addition to the above requirements, applicants must meet the following minimum requirements for the appropriate category listed below to be considered for full admission with physics as a discipline. The doctoral studies committee may recommend provisional admission for those applicants who fail to meet these requirements.Applicants for admission to the Interdisciplinary Ph.D. program electing physics as their coordinating discipline must have a bachelor's or master's degree in physics or the equivalent. Those applicants holding only a bachelor's degree will be expected to provide exceptionally strong evidence of their academic ability and research capability in physics. Applicants for admission to the Interdisciplinary Ph.D. program electing physics as their co-discipline must hold at least a bachelor's degree in a compatible field. These applicants must have successfully completed coursework in physics beyond a first (general or engineering physics) introductory course and must have mathematical background sufficient for advanced coursework in physics.
Suggested Compatible Co-disciplinesComputer science, mathematics, chemistry, geosciences, electrical and computer engineering, telecommunication and computer networking, curriculum and instruction and engineering.
Core Program RequirementsThe credit hour requirement for Ph.D. students with physics as a discipline will depend on the student's entering status and individual program.Physics as a Coordinating Unit For Ph.D. students with physics as the coordinating discipline, the following are the core graduate-level courses:
Physics as a Co-discipline A student selecting physics as a co-discipline will be required to complete 12 credit hours in physics courses. Up to six of these credit hours may be at the 400 level. Other Discipline-Specific Special RequirementsRetention in ProgramPh.D. students with physics as their coordinating-unit discipline must maintain a 3.25 grade-point average. Students with physics as a co-discipline must maintain a 3.0 GPA in physics courses. A student's failure to maintain the minimum GPA will result in a probationary status for the following semester. A failure to remove the GPA deficiency during the probationary semester will then result in the student's dismissal from the Interdisciplinary Ph.D. program. Appeals Exceptions to any of the discipline-specific regulations must be approved by the student's supervisory committee and by the physics doctoral studies committee. In the event of disputes or special requests concerning a student's Ph.D. program, written appeals and/or documentation must first be submitted to the student's supervisory committee. If a resolution of the problem cannot be affected at that level, the written appeals process must then progress through the following levels: (1) Doctoral studies committee of the Physics Department; (2) Interdisciplinary Ph.D. Executive Committee; (3) Dean of the School of Graduate Studies.
Comprehensive Examination GuidelinesPhysics as Coordinating UnitDepartmental Written Examination During April of each year, the Department of Physics will administer a written, multi-level examination of all active M.S.-level students in physics and Interdisciplinary Ph.D. students with physics as their coordinating-unit discipline. The four-part examination will be given during four sessions of four hours each on consecutive Saturdays. Each part of the examination will contain questions at the advanced undergraduate and graduate levels. The following subject areas will be addressed by the four parts of the examination:
A maximum of two attempts at each level will be permitted, and any student who does not attempt the examination when required to do so will be deemed to have failed the examination. Students who are required to take this examination are encouraged to consult with the Department of Physics for detailed information concerning procedures and regulations for the examination. Comprehensive Examination by Committee The comprehensive examination administered by the student's supervisory committee can be taken only after the student has passed the departmental written examination at the Ph.D. comprehensive level. It may be oral, written or both and may include the student's dissertation proposal and associated background material. Physics as Co-discipline The student's supervisory committee will determine the comprehensive examination for students with physics as a co-discipline.
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