Doctor of Philosophy in Physics
The Ph.D. in Physics is a challenging program designed to provide an in-depth look at the foundational areas of modern Physics as a basis for the selection of an area of research specialization which becomes the focus of a Ph.D. thesis. For students meeting the qualifications upon entering the program, the first two years are structured around classroom and lab instruction, supplemented by research projects and regular interaction with multiple research groups within the Department. Department colloquia and research seminars give students an opportunity to connect with researchers and professionals in their own field, or to present their own work. Once a student has met the requirements for Ph.D. candidacy and has been selected to work with a Ph.D. advisor, the emphasis shifts to full-time research with the expectation of the completion and defense of a Ph.D. thesis. The courses and laboratory/research experiences in the department’s doctor of philosophy program are aimed at shaping and training students to be professional scientists capable of carrying out important scientific research and/or teaching at the highest levels of educational institutions. The program more specifically prepares students for a wide variety of professions, including at academic institutions, in industry, or at government laboratories. Graduates of this degree program can be found in key positions regionally, nationally, and internationally.
Admission to Graduate Studies
Admission Requirements
- All applicants must meet the requirements outlined in the Admission to Graduate Study policy.
- Bachelor’s degree: A copy of official transcripts showing proof of a bachelor's degree (and any post-bachelor’s coursework or degrees) from a regionally accredited institution, or a foreign university with equivalent bachelor's degree requirements is required.
- English proficiency: Proof of English proficiency for non-native or non-native-like English speakers is required. There are two bands of English proficiency, including Admission and Full proficiency. For applicants to online programs, Full proficiency is required.
Admission to the Physics and Astronomy Ph.D. Program
In addition to all University requirements for admission to graduate studies, the following materials are required and must be submitted before the application deadline in order for the application to be considered:
- Statement of Purpose: A single document also including: academic interests and professional goals.
- Resume or Curriculum Vitae
- Recommendations: You will be asked for the names and email addresses of three people who can write a recommendation letter describing your qualifications for graduate school in physics and astronomy. Once you submit the application, an email will be sent to each recommender requesting a letter and electronic survey from each person that you name.
These are the admissions requirements in place at the time this catalog content was published.
Prerequisite Coursework for the Physics & Astronomy Ph.D. Program
Most admitted students have an undergraduate grade-point average of at least a B (3.0 on a 4.0 scale), overall and in the major. A baccalaureate degree with a major in physics is desirable but not required. Recommended preparation consists of courses in mechanics, electromagnetic theory, thermal physics, introductory quantum mechanics, advanced laboratory, and at least one course in mathematics beyond differential equations. Working knowledge of computers and of an advanced programming language is helpful. A student with less than the recommended preparation may enroll in these courses for graduate credit if taken at the graduate level.
For additional information regarding the admission process, please see the Physics & Astronomy Graduate Admissions page.
The General and Subject GRE are not required for admission to the Physics and Astronomy graduate program. Submit your graduate application online.
The University of Kansas
Department of Physics and Astronomy
Malott Hall
1251 Wescoe Hall Dr., Room 1082
Lawrence, KS 66045
Ph.D. Degree Requirements
Preparatory Coursework
A candidate for the Ph.D. who has not taken the equivalent of 6 credit hours of advanced undergraduate laboratory course work (Junior/Senior level) is required to achieve at least a B grade in one of the three advanced laboratory courses offered in the department:
- PHSX 536 Electronic Circuit Measurement and Design
- PHSX 601 Design of Physical and Electronic Systems
- PHSX 616 Physical Measurements
As fulfillment of this requirement is considered preparatory training, completion of one or more of the above lab courses will not count toward the degree requirements described below.
Pre-Candidacy Course Requirements:
The following courses must be completed by the end of the semester in which the oral comprehensive exam is completed. Additional requirements for the degree, including enrollment in dissertation hours for doctoral candidacy, are described below the grid.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses | ||
| PHSX 711 | Quantum Mechanics I | 3 |
| PHSX 811 | Quantum Mechanics II | 3 |
| PHSX 821 | Classical Mechanics | 3 |
| PHSX 831 | Electrodynamics I | 3 |
| Other Required Courses | ||
| PHSX 717 | Graduate Seminar (Fulfills Responsible Scholarship requirement) | 1 |
| PHSX 815 | Computational Methods in Physical Sciences (Default option to fulfill the Reseach Skills Requirement) | 3 |
| PHSX 871 | Statistical Physics I | 3 |
| Three additional 3 credit hour lecture courses. At least one must be a PHSX/ASTR course numbered 700 or above. Students who wish to pursue a more multidisciplinary plan of study, please see the multidisciplinary plan description below. | 9 | |
| Interiors and Atmospheres | ||
or PHSX 794 | Interiors and Atmospheres | |
| Space Plasma Physics | ||
| Radiation and the Interstellar Medium | ||
or PHSX 796 | Radiation and the Interstellar Medium | |
| Galaxies | ||
or PHSX 797 | Galaxies | |
| High Energy Astrophysics | ||
or PHSX 798 | High Energy Astrophysics | |
| Mathematical Methods in Physical Sciences | ||
| Chaotic Dynamics | ||
| Advanced Geophysics: _____ | ||
| Nuclear Physics I | ||
| Elementary Particles I | ||
| Solid State Physics I | ||
| Physical Cosmology | ||
| Advanced Topics | ||
| Nuclear Physics II | ||
| Advanced Optics | ||
| Elementary Particles II | ||
| Solid State Physics II | ||
| Materials Modeling | ||
| Materials Characterization | ||
| Plasma Physics | ||
| Quantum Mechanics III | ||
| Quantum Field Theory | ||
| Relativity | ||
| Electrodynamics II | ||
| Advanced Statistical Mechanics | ||
| Total Hours | 28 | |
Multidisciplinary Study Option
The courses listed above comprise the department course requirements common to all students except those pursuing a multidisciplinary plan of study, which is described below. Subsequent work, consisting of advanced courses in appropriate fields and seminars, will be selected by the student and the advisor on the basis of the student's need and intended research interest. The student's dissertation committee will determine the adequacy of the student's courses and seminars and will specify the total course requirements.
Students who wish to pursue a more multidisciplinary plan of study may incorporate coursework from up to two other natural science, engineering, or mathematics (SEM) departments at KU by substituting non EPHX/PHSX/ASTR courses at the 600 level and above from these other disciplines for the three additional electives. The research advisor, or in the absence of one, the Departmental Graduate Advisor (who is the default advisor for all students without a research advisor), shall approve all such outside course choices and provide documentation for the student file on the approved courses and their rationale.
Students who wish to take courses in the social sciences, humanities, or professional schools must submit a detailed plan of study that must be approved by the Physics and Astronomy Graduate Committee. Please note that while these unique plans involving non-STEM fields will be considered, there is no guarantee that the plan of study will be approved.
Other Degree Requirements
Colloquium Requirement:
All Ph.D. students are required to attend at least 75% of the regularly scheduled colloquia during their first six semesters. See Department website for details and schedule.
Oral Presentation Requirement:
All graduate students, after their first semester, will deliver at least one oral presentation per semester. Presentations must cover a topic in physics or astronomy and typically relate to the student's research. See the Communication Skills explanation for procedures.
Pedagogical Instruction:
Every student who receives a GTA appointment will be required to complete PHSX 702 at the first offering of the course starting with the semester of the student's initial GTA appointment. Failure to complete this class at the first opportunity may affect consideration for subsequent GTA appointments.
Preliminary Candidacy
To be admitted to preliminary candidacy, each graduate student must satisfy the following department requirements:
-
Within 12 months of entering the program the student must fulfill the requirements of the individualized plan of study for all graduate degrees to certify an undergraduate knowledge of Physics. To develop the individualized plan of study, students will be required to attend an advising session with the Departmental Graduate Advisor. This session will include a discussion of the student's transcripts, potential course enrollment, and administration of a diagnostic exam. Results of this exam will help determine a suggested course schedule. Following the development of the individualized plan, the advising process will continue through regular check-ins and reviews of student progress. These reviews will include looking at student grades, research progress, and general progress toward meeting departmental milestones.
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Achieve a minimum core course grade point average of 3.2. The core course GPA is computed from the following equally weighted elements:
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Students may repeat any of the core courses (PHSX 711, PHSX 811, PHSX 821, and PHSX 831) once for the purpose of improving the core GPA. In calculating the core GPA, the Department will use only the better of the two grades.
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The two elective courses must be taken at KU, but students entering with graduate credit from other institutions may petition the Graduate Committee for a waiver for any of the 4 named core courses. For the purposes of the core GPA, grades (of "B+" or better) from the previous institution may be used for at most 3 of the 4 named courses.
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Graduate students are normally expected to complete all core courses by the end of their second year of enrollment.
Once requirements for Preliminary Candidacy have been met, the Graduate Committee will decide whether or not to admit the student to Preliminary Candidacy. Once confirmed by the Graduate Committee, the Graduate Committee Chair will report this result to the Graduate Faculty.
Research Skills and Responsible Scholarship
Before being able to schedule the comprehensive exam, the student must complete the Research Skills and Responsible Scholarship requirements. The University requires that every doctoral student receive training in responsible scholarship pertinent to the field of research and obtain research skills pertinent to the doctoral level of research in their field(s). These requirements must be completed by the end of the semester that the student takes the oral comprehensive exam. For students in the Physics Ph.D. program, the Research Skills requirement can be satisfied with a B or better grade in a non-core, physics or astronomy graduate course, that covers material (i.e., skills) appropriate for the research specialty of the student. The course shall be chosen in consultation with the student’s advisor, who will inform the graduate coordinator. The course will typically be an elective course. The default option for satisfying this requirement will be PHSX 815, unless the student elects to use another eligible course in its place. The Responsible Scholarship requirement is filled via completion of the PHSX 717 Graduate Seminar.
Oral Comprehensive Examination
After completing a major portion of the required course work and satisfying the Research Skills and Responsible Scholarship requirement, the student must pass the comprehensive examination. It is expected that the comprehensive exam be completed within 3.5 years of entering the program.
As a written component of the exam, the student will write a 2,000 to 4,000 word paper on a topic in their field of research that is relevant to their thesis work. There is also an oral component of the exam in which the student makes an oral research presentation to a committee of faculty, which should meet the requirements outlined in the Doctoral Student Oral Exam Committee Composition policy. This committee then asks the student questions both on their presentation and on general physics and astronomy knowledge.
Enrollment Requirements Post-Comprehensive Exam
Upon passing the comprehensive examination, the student becomes a candidate for the Ph.D. degree. Each candidate must complete a research project that has been approved by the dissertation committee. The committee establishes the candidate's course requirements and directs the research.
At least once each year after passing the comprehensive examination, the student must schedule a meeting with their dissertation committee to discuss progress toward the completion of the dissertation and any other concerns. Starting the semester following successful completion of the oral comprehensive exam, students must enroll in accordance with the Office of Graduate Studies' Doctoral Candidacy Policy. This enrollment includes, but is not limited to, at least 1 dissertation hour every semester until graduation. See the Doctoral Candidacy Policy for more information about this University level requirement.
Dissertation and Final Oral Defense
The dissertation must be an original work of research that advances the field of physics or astronomy and complies with the Office of Graduate Studies’ Doctoral Dissertation policy. Upon approval by the student's committee that the student’s dissertation research and written document is complete, the student must defend the dissertation before all committee members in the “final oral examination,” or dissertation defense. The final dissertation defense includes a public presentation of the dissertation research by the candidate and concludes with a period of questioning by the committee, faculty, and public
in attendance. Possible outcomes of the final exam include Honors, Satisfactory, and Unsatisfactory.
Please consult the departmental web page for additional information and to access the Graduate Student Handbook.
Please visit the Graduate Studies section of the University Policy Library for information regarding additional requirements that may apply.
At the completion of this program, students will be able to:
- Display knowledge of graduate level physics and astronomy.
- Display successful (oral and written) communication of scientific results.
- Display acquisition of discipline specific research skill.
- Display ability of independent research in physics and astronomy.