Note:

Each student is required to pass PHYS 5800  for four consecutive semesters, beginning with the first semester after matriculation. The student must also take an oral candidacy examination, consisting of a written report and a presentation made by the student, which is followed by questions from departmental faculty. The candidacy exam is based upon a research topic set by the student’s supervisory committee. The candidacy examination will normally occur no later than the fifth semester after the student begins graduate coursework. The student will have at least two months to prepare for the examination.

The student must also complete a research dissertation and give an oral defense of the dissertation. Furthermore, the PhD candidate is expected to give two colloquia to the department. The first of these will normally be given at the time of submission of the research proposal, with the other given at the time the dissertation is completed.