All graduate students in physics are encouraged to participate in research at the earliest opportunity. To introduce new students to ongoing research activities, the Physics Department organizes a weekly series of mini-colloquia during each fall and winter term. These mini-colloquia serve as an occasion for new students to meet each other and faculty members.

The Physics Graduate Student Handbook covers all degree requirements in greater detail.  In addition to the department specific information listed here and in the Physics handbook, see the Master's Degrees and Doctoral Degrees sections of Rackham Graduate School's Graduate Student Handbook.

Master of Science (M.S.)

There is not an official Master of Science program. However, students can fulfill the M.S. requirements and obtain a degree while pursuing the Ph.D. Click here for a degree requirement checklist.

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

Click here for a progress to candidacy checklist

Admission: While no minimum undergraduate GPA or course requirements are specified, a sufficient undergraduate physics curriculum--emphasizing classical mechanics, electricity and magnetism, thermal and statistical physics, quantum physics, and modern physics--is expected, to provide the necessary grounding for graduate-level work. Applicants should have completed at least the equivalent of a full undergraduate physics major: that is, a one-year general physics course, 18 hours of intermediate-level and advanced-level physics, and a course in differential equations. The GRE general test is required; the GRE subject test is highly recommended.

Specific Course Requirements: Although no absolutes govern the selection of the nine 500-level physics courses needed for candidacy, students are expected to demonstrate proficiency in the material of Physics 505/506, 511/512, and 507; these courses, in addition to Physics 510 and 513, are considered the "suggested core." The graduate advisor in physics will determine whether a student can use previous work to demonstrate proficiency in these areas. 

*If you wish to petition the department for waiver or modification of course work or other degree requirements, you should complete the Modification/Change form and return it to Christina Zigulis.

Students must also pass a two-part qualifying exam, participate in supervised non-thesis research (Physics 515/715) or an equivalent endeavor, form a Dissertation Committee, write a prospectus, and pass a preliminary exam. In addition to achieving candidacy, students must successfully complete 68 Rackham fee hours of courses, pass one 600-level course (two credit hours or more, with a B (5.0) or better), and submit and defend a dissertation on original research.

So, You Want to be a Candidate?

Qualifying Examination: The student must pass a written Qualifying Examination based on material covered in standard advanced undergraduate physics courses. This requirement must be satisfied before the beginning of the third year. Contact the Physics Office of Student Services, 2464 Randall Lab for more information.

Preliminary Examination: Form a Preliminary Examination Committee comprised of three professors, with your research advisor as chair. Write a 2-3 page Research Abstract of your current research to distribute to members of the Preliminary Examination Committee and the Office of Student Services well in advance of your exam. Your exam will be a presentation of research-related material as determined by the chair of your prelim committee.

The 2-3 page "Research Abstract" is intended to show faculty members on the Prelim Committee that you are currently engaged in a research problem. That problem does not necessarily need to be part of your dissertation research, nor is it required to be part of the Prelim exam. You and the Chair of your Prelim Committee should meet well before your exam to discuss your presentation. You do not have to meet with other committee members before the exam; however, you should keep in mind that all committee members will expect you to have a thorough knowledge of the material you are presenting for your Prelim exam, and you will be questioned on it. 

Prior to your Preliminary Examination, print a Prelim Reporting Form and give it to your research advisor.  Each committee member should sign the form before it is returned to Student Services.

The Physics Department requires that all students pass the Preliminary Examination and advance to candidacy no later than Fall term of their third year.  Please refer to the Candidacy Deadlines page on the Rackham Graduate School website.

Dissertation Committee: The Dissertation Committee must be formed within one year of passing the Preliminary Examination.  Details on the composition of the committee are available at the link below.

Candidate Status: For information on the dissertation committee*, final oral examination*, and publication of dissertation*, see the Graduate Student Handbook.

Graduate Qualifying Examinations

The purpose of the Physics Department's graduate qualifying exams (GQE I and II) is to test your understanding of the topics normally covered in undergraduate physics and first-year graduate studies. Both parts of the exam are offered twice each year—January and May. You may take the exam as many times as necessary but you must complete both parts by the beginning of your third year.
The minimum passing grade for exams in the past has been approximately 50%; the overall score, however, is not the only criterion for passing. In order to pass, you must show some broad, basic understanding of each area covered. A collection of exams from previous years is available in Student Services. Exams do, however, change slightly in composition from year to year.

Qualifying Exam Archive