Sample Timeline for a Physics PhD Student
The following is a sample timeline for a PhD student pursuing the Standard concentration. For guidance on the Engineering Physics concentration, please contact Prof. Chi Yang.
The timeline assumes that the student works as a Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA) in years 1-2 and works full-time on research in years 3-6.
This is for illustrative purposes only. Your particular program will be tailored to your specific situation and interests.
| Fall | credits | Spring | credits | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | PHYS 684 (QM I) | 3 | PHYS 685 (EM I) | 3 |
| PHYS 705 (CM) | 3 | PHYS 711 (SM) | 3 | |
| (Take the QM and CM Qualifying Exams) | (Take the EM and SM Qualifying Exams) | |||
| Year 2 | PHYS 785 (EM II) | 3 | PHYS 784 (QM II) | 3 |
| PHYS 703 (Seminar) | 1 | PHYS 703 (Seminar) | 1 | |
| PHYS 796 (Prelim Res) | 2 | PHYS 796 (Prelim Res) | 2 | |
| (Consider potential research advisors) | ||||
| Year 3 | PHYS 701 (Theo Phys) | 3 | PHYS 613 (Comp Phys) | 3 |
| PHYS 703 (Seminar) | 1 | PHYS 796 (Prelim Res) | 6 | |
| PHYS 796 (Prelim Res) | 5 | |||
| (Form your Dissertation Committee) | ||||
| Year 4 | PHYS 512 (Solid State) | 3 | PHYS 780 (Spec Topic) | 3 |
| PHYS 796 (Prelim Res) | 3 | PHYS 798 (Res Project) | 3 | |
| GRA (FT) | GRA (FT) | |||
| (Apply to Advance to Candidacy) | ||||
| Year 5 | PHYS 998 (Dissertation Proposal) | 6 | PHYS 999 (Dissertation) | 6 |
| GRA (FT) | GRA (FT) | |||
| Year 6 | PHYS 999 (Dissertation) | 6 | PHYS 999 (Dissertation) | 6 |
| GRA (FT) | GRA (FT) |