Ph.D. Student Learning Outcomes
- Students will master the theoretical concepts in advanced mechanics, electromagnetism, quantum mechanics and statistical mechanics at the graduate level.
- Students will have an advanced understanding of the mathematical methods, both analytical and computational, required to solve complex physics problems at the graduate level.
- Students will be proficient in experimental physics.
- Students will develop and demonstrate proficiency in teaching at the undergraduate level.
- Students will have a specialized knowledge of their chosen field of advanced research in physics.
- Students will be able to present advanced scientific ideas effectively in both written and oral form.
- Students will be well prepared for postgraduate study in physics and related disciplines, as well as advanced careers in a multitude of fields ranging from scientific and technical to financial.
Ph.D. Competency Based Qualification
The motivation of employing a competency-based approach to our Physics PhD program is to acknowledge that a successful Ph.D. student will learn and practice a wide range of skills and competencies. Each student will maintain a portfolio of their academic and research work experiences, as well as other relevant material, e.g., teaching experience.
Diagnostic Homework
Complete diagnostic homework in the first week of classes. This homework will not be assigned an individual grade, but rather surveys incoming students’ skill level.
Time of Completion: Beginning of 1st year
Competencies
- Mastery of core academic material.
Evaluated on a per subject basis in the four areas corresponding to our four first year core courses: Mathematical Physics, Classical Mechanics, Quantum Mechanics, and Electromagnetism.
Take a qualifying exam on each core subject, following each core class.
Time of Completion: End of 1st year - Demonstrate appropriate teaching ability.
Requirement: Work with students as a TA, or work in the Help Center for 10 hours.
Time of Completion: End of 1st year - Mastery of laboratory skills.
Requirement: Pass PHYS 805 or demonstrate equivalent skillset via petition and approval by current PHYS 805 instructor.
Time of Completion: End of 2nd year. - Demonstrate appropriate writing ability.
Requirement: Develop a written proposal in PHYS 806, or submit a GRFP or equivalent proposal as a graduate student.
Pass the written portion of the proposal defense.
Time of Completion: End of 3rd year (early review end of 1st year). - Demonstrate appropriate presentation ability.
Requirement: Give presentations in courses, group meetings or pass the oral presentation part of the proposal defense.
Time of Completion: End of 3rd year (early review end of 1st year). - Demonstrate appropriate ability to develop a research question and strategy
Requirement: Pass the oral presentation part of the proposal defense.
Time of Completion: End of 3rd year (early review end of 1st year). - Demonstrate Ability to carry out independent research
Requirement: Pass the PhD Thesis Defense.
Time of Completion: End of 5th year.
Early Review
Throughout their career at UNH, PhD students maintain a portfolio of their work and experiences in an online folder. Students are responsible to add relevant materials:
- Samples of their class work (e.g., homework sets, projects, exams)
- Proposals developed
- Teaching experiences (e.g., reflections, evaluations)
- Samples of their writing
- Presentations given
- Research projects they have done / contributed to
- Conversations with faculty members about their research area
Students are responsible to adding material to their portfolio as it becomes available. The portfolio should be ready for initial review by the end of their 2nd semester. Over their first summer, students are expected to add a self-evaluation on their progress in the graduate program, guided by the competency categories above. More material can be added, e.g., a reflection on their first summer research experience or other summer activities, as appropriate. The portfolio, including the self-evaluation needs to be ready for review one week before Fall classes start.
Each students’ portfolio will be reviewed by a faculty committee in the beginning of the 2nd year. In addition to the materials provided by the student, the faculty committee will add additional information as available, e.g., transcript, results from core qualifying exams, input from research advisor.
Continuation in the Physics PhD program is contingent on demonstrating appropriate progress in acquiring competencies. In particular, competencies 1, 2, 4, 5 and 6 above will be evaluated.
Ph.D. Thesis Proposal and Oral Qualifying Exam
The Thesis Proposal / Oral Qualifying Exam is one of the requirements for the Ph.D. degree, and is typically taken after working with a research advisor for 6 months to one year. It is expected that during this period, the student will begin to become familiar with the relevant literature, gain an understanding of the mathematics and concepts related to their particular topic, and complete a substantial portion of a small independent project that is related to their thesis work. Before scheduling the Thesis Proposal, the Ph.D. Thesis Committee must be formed. The Thesis Proposal is to be announced to the department as a seminar presentation with title and abstract at least one week in advance.
Format of the Ph.D. Thesis Proposal / Oral Qualifying Exam
The presentation portion of the Oral Qualifying Exam is typically 45 minutes in length, open to the public, and is followed by questions from the general audience. The advisor and thesis committee may rule out any questions deemed inappropriate for this Exam. The Thesis Committee then meets with the student for more detailed questions and discussion. Next, the student is excused and the Committee makes an overall decision on the exam. The possibilities are:
- the student passes the exam;
- the student does not pass, but is invited to repeat the exam with the same thesis committee to demonstrate understanding that was found lacking;
- the student does not pass, and is recommended to either identify a different advisor and topic or possibly withdraw from the program.
After passing the exam, and completing the core course requirements, the student will advance to Candidacy.
Content of the Presentation
The Thesis Proposal presentation consists of a proposed thesis topic, background information on the topic and how it relates to larger questions in its subfield, and an outline of what the student will do to successfully complete a thesis on this topic. It is recognized that the topic may evolve or change substantially during progress towards the thesis, and this process will be monitored by the Thesis Committee. However, in the Oral Exam, the student is expected to present as thorough a plan as possible at that time, demonstrating the ability to work independently. The student will be questioned about the topic in some depth, to verify that this topic is appropriate for a Physics Ph.D. thesis, and to identify areas that the student needs to strengthen along the way.
Written Summary
The student must submit a written summary of the thesis proposal (typically 5 pages) to the Thesis Committee prior to the exam. The written summary is to focus on the student's plan and the availability of resources to accomplish the plan (ie., what is proposed to be done, and how it will be done).
After the thesis proposal / oral qualifying exam, you're all set for your main PhD research.
