* Students must complete two out of these three courses. Students must pass all required courses with a grade of B- or higher before being admitted to candidacy. Exceptions can be made only if a student demonstrates proficiency in the subject matter of a particular course and receives prior approval of the Graduate Program Director. Individual research groups may impose further requirements on their students. Two qualifying exams to be admitted to candidacy. The general written exam is given every year in late August. The special oral exam is given every year in early January. Students must take these exams during their second year (first year with prior approval). If a qualifying exam is not passed on the first attempt it may be taken a second time the following year. a. General Written Exam This written exam covers the material in the required graduate courses plus classical mechanics. b. Special Oral Exam This oral exam tests the ability to learn, talk about, and answer questions on some specific topic announced several weeks before the exam. As an example, the topic for a recent exam was supernovae. 4. Policy on Academic Performance Students must maintain a satisfactory academic record to continue in the graduate program. One example of unsatisfactory performance is having less than a 3.0 grade point average in each of two consecutive semesters. It is expected that students will find a thesis research supervisor no later than two semesters after they have passed both of the Qualifying Exams for the PhD. 5. Annual Research Reviews. After the student passes into candidacy and begins thesis research, a committee of faculty, which will evolve into the student's thesis committee, conducts annual reviews of the students research progress. 6. Thesis Research and Defense. 7. Teaching Requirement To receive the Ph.D., all students are required to do classroom teaching for at least one semester by the end of their second year. You will benefit from practice gained by explaining complex physics in an understandable way and by responding to questions. If your native language is not English you should note that certification of proficiency in spoken English, as described in the next section, is necessary before you will be allowed to do the required classroom teaching. 8. Language Requirement a. There is no foreign language requirement for the Ph.D. b. In order to teach in the classroom all graduate students must demonstrate their ability to communicate effectively in spoken English. To obtain certification, non-native English speakers must pass an International Teaching Assistant (ITA) Test administered by the Intercultural Communication Center. A variety of support facilities are available to improve your command of the language, including English language records, tutoring, books, and the CMU Teaching Center.
The Ph.D. in Applied PhysicsBesides the conventional Ph.D. program, Carnegie Mellon offers a degree in applied physics. Ph.D. thesis research that may appropriately be characterized as applied physics can be carried out either within the Physics Department or in conjunction with other branches of the university such as the Robotics Institute, the Data Storage Systems Center, the Materials Science and Engineering Department, the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department. Students in the applied physics program may find it necessary to prepare themselves in a technical area through courses in another department or through independent study. The Ph.D. Qualifying Examination and the program of basic graduate courses in physics are flexible enough to accommodate the various options in applied physics.
The M.S. in PhysicsThe M.S. degree in Physics is awarded to those who have demonstrated a mastery of advanced topics in physics beyond the B.S. degree level. Within the limitations of the requirements given below, wide latitude exists for individuals to tailor their programs to help them best achieve their professional goals. While it is possible to complete the requirements for the M.S. degree in one academic year, most students find it necessary to spend three semesters completing the requirements for this degree. Candidates for the degree of M.S. in Physics must pass the general qualifying examination and satisfactorily complete at least 96 units of courses with a B average (3.0) or better including the following: 1. At least 48 units of courses at the graduate level (700 level courses) in the Department of Physics. 2. At least 24 units (in addition to Item 1) of graduate or advanced undergraduate courses in physics or closely allied fields. 3. Ten to 12 units (at the level of 33-340, Modern Physics Laboratory, or 33-775, 776) of advanced physics laboratory or equivalent. 4. One year of residence as a full-time student is required. 5. Students applying for the M.S. degree program in physics do not ordinarily receive financial support. There are no research or language requirements for the M.S. degree.
General Requirements for Advanced DegreesThe service performed as a teaching or research assistant (see the section on Financial Assistance) is part of the graduate training. Such service, or its equivalent, is required of all candidates for graduate degrees whether or not they receive stipends.
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