NDSU

Guidelines for Graduate Work in Physics at NDSU

 The doctoral program at NDSU is a four-year program encompassing course work (which will stretch over two years, since courses are offered on a bi-annual basis) and three years of overlapping research work.

Graduate Requirements for Ph.D. Students at NDSU

 1. Course requirements consist of 90 graduate credits, numbered 600-799, of which:
  1. 27 or more credits are numbered 600-689 and 700-789;
  2. 21 credits are in the required physics courses:
    • Phys 752: Mathematical Methods I
    • Phys 755: Classical Mechanics I
    • Phys 758: Statistical Physics
    • Phys 761: Electromagnetism I
    • Phys 771: Quantum Physics I
    • Phys 772: Quantum Physics II
    • Phys 781: Solid State Physics I;
  3. at most 4 credits are numbered 600-689;
  4. at most 12 credits are non-physics courses. Recommended non-physics courses are:
    • Chem 734: Instrumentation Electronics for Experimentalists
    • Math 688: Numerical Analysis I
    • Math 689: Numerical Analysis II.

Any credits used to satisfy the requirements for the M.S. degree may also be used to satisfy the Ph.D. requirements.

2. By the end of the first year the student must have a graduate advisor and a thesis topic. At this point the student must submit a plan of study. The student and advisor must nominate two additional members for the Ph.D. Committee. One additional member will be appointed by the Graduate School. One person on the Committee must be from outside the College of Science and Mathematics.

3. Comprehensive examination: in the second half of their second year students
  1. hand in a report that summarizes their research results so far and details a research plan for the rest of their research work;
  2. give a talk about their research topic;
  3. after their talk, an oral examination by their thesis committee has to be passed to confirm their doctoral status. This confirmation is a prerequisite for graduation.

    If the student fails the comprehensive examination, she/he will be given the opportunity to repeat the examination in the next semester. Alternatively, the student may elect to work for a master's degree instead.

4. Students should submit their doctoral thesis for examination at the end of their fourth year.

Graduate students no longer require a master's degree to obtain a doctorate.
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Published by North Dakota State University
Last Updated: 06 May 05