Degree Requirements
The graduate program in physics at William & Mary rests on three pillars: coursework, teaching, and research.
CourseworkAll candidates for graduate degrees must successfully complete a program of core plus elective courses that is approved by the department. For the Ph.D. degree, there are no explicit credit requirements. However, students who enter the program without a Master's degree must complete 32 credit hours of coursework, thereby completing requirements for an M.S. degree, before they can begin work on their dissertation. Most students meet this requirement by following our typical course of study, though this can be modified depending on the background of the student. A few students with incomplete preparation, but otherwise promising records, begin their program with some advanced undergraduate courses. The Qualifying exam tests whether or not the student has a Ph.D. level of understanding in the major areas of physics covered in the Master’s and undergraduate coursework. After completing the Master's course requirements and passing the qualifying exams, the candidate should take at least two specialty courses, which the department recommends include at least one elective course outside the student's dissertation research area and one specialty course inside the student's dissertation research area. The choice of elective and specialty courses should be made in consultation with the student's research advisor. |
TeachingTeaching is an integral part of the educational process for those who seek an advanced degree, and therefore the following regulations have been adopted for resident students: Degree candidates will be assigned teaching duties for at least two semesters and are expected to register for at least two semesters of Physics 651/652 Teaching Physics in conjunction with their teaching assignment. There will be an evaluation upon completion of the assignment, and the grade for this course is based on their performance of their teaching duties. |
ResearchThe Department carries out experimental and theoretical research in many subfields, and the results are communicated in refereed journals, in conferences and seminars, and in books. Graduate students learn to conduct original scientific research in physics. |
Graduate students are also expected to participate in the Department's public service efforts.
Students applying with an undergraduate degree must satisfactorily complete the M.S. requirements before working towards the Ph.D. We do not admit students who are seeking a terminal Master's degree, though one may be awarded if a student must leave the program after completing all requirements for the M.S.