Effective Fall 2018

The Physics Department requires all graduate students to maintain a 3.0 average in PhD core courses, until their core course requirements are satisfied. Note that students are also required to satisfy the Graduate School GPA requirements. Currently the Graduate School requires a 3.0 average in all graded courses, and separately in all regular classroom courses to maintain eligibility for graduate assistantships. Both of the Graduate School GPA requirements must be met overall and for the courses listed on each GS6 Program of Study form in order to obtain a degree. Students are expected to complete 15 credit hours per semester in their first year and at least 5 credits per semester until their core course requirements are satisfied. In addition to meeting the course and GPA requirements, students are also required to engage in research activities at a level commensurate with their stage in the program, as described below.

Students entering with a bachelor’s degree are required to complete at least two PhD core courses in the first semester of the first year, at least one PhD core course and at least one PhD elective course in the second semester of their first year. They are also required to complete their MS degree prior to the start of their third year. Students are required to engage in research activities starting in the summer of their first year and must identify an MS research advisor at the latest by the beginning of their third semester. Most students take PH 693 (Current Topics in Physics Research) under the supervision of their MS research advisor and use this course to prepare for their MS defense and the supervisor for PH 693 must be determined prior to registration. Students continuing for the PhD are required to have an official PhD research advisor at the start of their third year. Students entering with a MS degree are required to complete any needed core coursework during their first year and to have an official PhD research advisor by the end of that year.

Students who do not meet these requirements or do not have “Good Standing” with the Graduate School for one or more semesters will be subject to dismissal. Students must also meet the requirements for normal progress to be eligible for departmental financial support.

Any requests for waivers to the above requirements should be discussed with the graduate advising committee.