Doctor of Philosophy

The program leading to a PhD in Applied Physics consists of coursework, research, qualifying for PhD candidacy, a research progress report, a university oral examination, and a dissertation.

• Courses in Physics and Mathematics to overcome deficiencies, if any, in undergraduate preparation

• Basic graduate courses: These requirements may be totally or partly satisfied with equivalent courses taken elsewhere, pending the approval of the graduate study committee; Letter grades are required for all courses

• Students are expected to complete the specified course requirements by the end of their third year of graduate study

Coursework
PhD candidates must complete a minimum of 135 units. These courses must be numbered 100+.

Out of the 135 units, a student must complete a minimum of 30 units of approved courses in engineering and science. Core Course requirements outlined below make up 12-15 of these 30 units and must be taken for a letter grade. 18 of these 30 units must be advanced course work numbered 200+ to fit the particular interests of the individual student and must also be taken for a letter grade.

Additional units of courses as needed to meet the minimum residency requirement of 135 units. Research units, directed study, seminars, and curricular practical training included.

Core Course Requirements

All PhD students must complete at least one approved graduate course (for a letter grade) in each of any four of the following five areas:

1. Quantum Mechanics

2. Statistical and Condensed Matter Physics

3. Classical Physics

4. Methods

5. Biophysics

A course that appears in multiple categories may be used to satisfy only one core requirement. The flagship course, offered every year by the Applied Physics department in each area is listed in each area. Students unfamiliar with a topic area are strongly encouraged to begin with the flagship course, or another more introductory course as needed. Discussions with the academic advisor will help students determine their appropriate curriculum. Students with prior background may choose any approved course in that category.

Total coursework: Students must complete a minimum of 18 units of courses numbered 200 or above in science or engineering, including the four core courses above.

Letter grade: All courses used to satisfy program requirements must be taken for a letter grade.

Double-counting: A course that appears in multiple categories may be used to satisfy only one core requirement.

Units to Reach PhD University Minimum: An additional 105 units are needed to meet the University minimum residency requirement of 135 units of completed course work. This requirement is typically fulfilled primarily by directed study and research units, as well as 1-unit seminar courses.

Waiver and Substitution Policy

Students with equivalent prior coursework may petition the Graduate Studies Committee for a substitution (not a waiver). Under a substitution, the student takes a different advanced course in a related area rather than skipping the requirement; the total number of required courses remains the same. Students considering a substitution should consult with their academic advisor to assess their preparation and identify an appropriate alternative course.

Petitions should include the syllabus and transcript from the prior course. The committee chair reviews for equivalency.

Outright waivers (reducing the number of courses) are granted only in rare circumstances.

Milestones

Third-Year Progress Meeting: this is to discuss the progress toward the formulation of thesis research and completion of the other degree requirements. This is not an examination and there is no recorded evaluation. It must occur by the end of spring quarter of the third year. The third-year progress committee consists of the student’s research advisor and one additional faculty member. This second member of the committee can be the academic advisor or another Applied Physics faculty member of the student’s choosing.

Fourth-Year Progress Report: this is normally completed before the end of winter quarter of the fourth year of enrollment in graduate study at Stanford. The Progress Report should not be viewed as an exam; rather, it is an informational discussion between students and the group that will be their Dissertation Reading Committee. Students share research results to date and get input on future research plans leading to degree conferral. The student arranges to give an oral research progress report presentation should not take more than 45 minutes, with an additional 15 minutes for questions.

At least one science/engineering-based course in each of two areas other than the student’s research specialization is required.

Units from APPPHYS 290, APPPHYS 390, and any 1-unit courses do not count towards this requirement.

Applied Physics offers a rotation program for research assistantships for 1st-year graduate students. The purpose of the rotation program is to acquaint first-year students with research opportunities before they make a final selection of a research group. Each rotation lasts for one quarter. It is not required that students rotate to a different group each quarter, and indeed students often find their research group in their first quarter, without rotating into any subsequent group. Students are expected to coordinate their first rotation prior to the start of their first Autumn quarter (i.e., during the Summer prior to matriculation in the program). 

Students are expected to have found a research group (often referred to as a “home lab” or “research home”) for their Ph.D. research by the end of the Spring quarter of their first year. If a student hasn’t found their research home by the end of Summer quarter of their first year, their academic progress may be delayed. One of the requirements of moving to candidacy is having a clear direction for the research that will be the focus of the student’s post-candidacy work towards their Ph.D. This makes finding a home lab by the end of a student’s first academic year a key component of making satisfactory academic progress. (Candidacy is discussed in more detail below.)

Finding a rotation position: Rotations in your first year may be supervised by any member of the Applied Physics faculty, or with faculty in any other science or engineering department at Stanford, including SLAC. Rotation positions are secured by the students through mutual agreement with the rotation supervisor (aka PI aka Research Advisor; these terms are used interchangeably). This is best finalized no later than three weeks before the end of the preceding quarter. (For example, you should secure your Winter quarter rotation 3 weeks before Autumn quarter ends.) 

Admission to candidacy is a prospective judgement by the faculty of a student's potential to successfully complete the requirements of the degree program. In the Department of Applied Physics, students are reviewed for candidacy by the Graduate Studies and Curriculum (GSC) Committee in the spring quarter of their second-year. The committee’s assessment is based on the student’s performance on the qualifying exam, the student’s research progress as documented by a letter from their advisor, and the student’s performance in coursework. 

The GSC will recommend or deny admission to candidacy for each second-year student, noting any unmet course requirements. Although students have until the end of their 3^rd year to complete course requirements, it is expected that the vast majority of required courses will be completed by the end of a student’s second year. In a case where admission to candidacy is not recommended,  the reason will be stated in writing. Students are able to appeal the committee’s decision to the Director of Graduate Studies. 

Failure to advance to candidacy will result in dismissal from the doctoral program.

 University PhD Oral Examination consists of a public seminar in defense of the dissertation, followed by private questioning of the candidate by the university examining committee. Students consult with their dissertation advisor and reading committee members on the timing of the defense.

The dissertation must be approved and signed by the PhD reading committee. Students are expected to submit the dissertation by the end of their sixth year in the program.