Typical Time Line for Academic Requirements

Year 1:

• First semester
  • Required core courses (PHYS 500a; PHYS 508a; PHYS 506a)
• Second semester
  • Required core courses (PHYS 502b; PHYS 512b; PHYS 608b)
  • Advanced laboratory course (PHYS 504Lb) or experimental Special Investigation (PHYS 990a,b)
• Summer
  • Summer internship -- Appointment as Assistant in Research
  • For international students -- English language training to prepare for SPEAK test

Year 2:

• First semester
  • Qualifying Exam at beginning of first semester given on the first Friday of the semester
  • Continue with required course requirements (PHYS 609a or PHYS 610a/b or PHYS 628b); and one or two electives
• Second semester
  • Complete courses (one or two additional electives)
  • Finalize thesis advisor
  • Start dissertation research
• Summer
  • Work as an Assistant in Research with advisor

Year 3:

• Establish ``Core Thesis Committee'' of 3 faculty including the thesis advisor
• Admission to Candidacy, including written Thesis Prospectus and oral defense of thesis prospectus to core thesis committee
• For international students -- must pass SPEAK test
• Dissertation research

Year 4-5:

• Continue dissertation research
• Annual Oral presentation of research
• Annual meeting with core committee to review progress towards disseration
• Yearly Dissertation Progress Report due by May 1

Years 5-6:

• Continue dissertation research and prepare dissertation draft
• Thesis Defense and oral examination by committee of five
• Submission of written dissertation
• Reader's reports due after submission
• Award of degree