Doctoral Program in Physics
Doctoral students conduct exciting and cutting-edge research with faculty who are leaders in the field. Ph.D. students must pass a qualifying examination, which consists of two oral examinations. The first oral examination tests mastery of a set of core physics topics (based on core courses PEP 538, 542, 554, 555) while the second oral examination tests the student’s ability to discuss physics problems and current research topics with an examining committee of three faculty members. Candidates have two opportunities to pass each examination. The first attempt must be made within the first two years of study at Stevens. Upon successful completion of both examinations, the student becomes a qualified Ph.D. candidate.
Within six weeks after passing the qualification examination a Ph.D. advisory committee shall be formed for each Ph.D. student, consisting of a major advisor on the physics department faculty, an additional physics department faculty member, and a third Stevens faculty member from any department other than Physics. Additional committee members from Stevens or elsewhere may also be included.
Ph.D. candidates are required to have competency in using computer-based methods of calculation and analysis. Students lacking this competency are encouraged to take PEP 520 Computational Physics, or equivalent.
In addition to PEP 642, PEP 643, PEP 554, and PEP 555 or their equivalents that are required for the Master of Science in Physics, completion of the following coursework will be required for the Ph. D:
• PEP 667 Statistical Mechanics
• Two 700-level courses chosen in consultation with an academic advisor
• Three Ph.D. signature credits (can be in one or multiple approved courses)
Program Requirements
Required
| PEP 667 | Statistical Mechanics | 3 |
| | Two 700-level courses chosen in consultation with an academic advisor | |
| | Three Ph.D. signature credits | |
Three Ph.D. signature credits: Can be in one or multiple approved courses
The student will carry out an original research program under the supervision of the major advisor and advisory committee. The results of the research will be presented in a written dissertation. Upon approval of the advisory committee, the written dissertation will be defended by the student in an oral defense. A minimum of 84 credits beyond the baccalaureate degree is required for the Ph.D. degree. Required coursework represents at least 18 credits. At least 12 of the remaining 66 credits must be for the Ph.D. research (PEP 960).
Applications are welcome from students who have already earned a master’s degree elsewhere. Applicants with the equivalent of the Stevens Master of Science in physics degree are eligible to take the qualifying exam immediately and become candidates without additional course requirements. Nevertheless, they have to fulfill all described requirements including doctoral coursework, research, any core courses of the Stevens Master of Science in physics which they have not taken in the course of their previous Masters degree, and a total of 54 credits beyond the master’s degree.
Applicants with a non-physics master’s degree may be required to complete sufficient coursework to meet the requirements for a physics degree in addition to the remaining doctoral requirements outlined above. The details of the makeup work are determined by the department’s Graduate Academic Standards and Curriculum committee.