Doctor of Philosophy in Physics

Syracuse University

The Ph.D. in Physics is a research-based degree in which students perform perform significant new research and submit a dissertation on a topic that advances our knowledge of physics.Our degree program is structured to quickly transition students from studying physics in the classroom to pursuing independent research under the guidance their faculty mentor.When students enter the program, they take a diagnostic quiz that allows us to assess their grounding in undergraduate physics. Students who perform satisfactorily in the quiz will spend one year taking a mixture of 600- and 700-level graduate classes in preparation to take a written qualifying exam at the start of their second year. If the diagnostic quiz uncovers areas where a student may not be prepared for these classes, students can take a mixture of 500-, 600-, and 700- level classes to prepare for the written qualifying exam at the start of their third year. In cases where a student enters the program with an M.S. in Physics, or has otherwise had classes on the material covered by the written qualifying exam, they may take this exam at the beginning of their first year of graduate studies. If they pass, they may request a waiver of the core graduate classes. If they fail, they will be asked to take the courses and retake the exam the following year.

College of Arts and Sciences