Applied Physics / Applied Physics, PhD / Overview of the PhD Program

AP PhD Qualifying Exam

This document sets forth guidelines for the structure of the qualifying examination for students in Applied Physics, supplementing the description of the exam in the ​Policies of the Committee on Higher Degrees​.​ It is intended for students preparing for the exam as well as for members of the student’s examination committee.  Students should make themselves familiar with both this document and the school-wide policies for the exam.

Aim of the exam

  • Verify that the student is prepared to perform research at the doctoral level and complete a dissertation.

Specific aspects of the preparation to be checked

  • Ability to formulate and motivate a scientific or engineering problem.
  • Demonstration of mastery of the fundamentals of the supporting areas of science and engineering.

Composition of the committee

  • Four members, chaired by the Dean's nominee (not the advisor).

Format of the exam

  • The student gives a presentation (rehearsed length maximum 40 minutes, 25 slides) of the proposed dissertation topic, the scientific background, the experimental/theoretical state of the art, and a research plan toward answering the thesis question of the dissertation.
  • The student should demonstrate familiarity with the experimental or computational aspects of the work, but no specific results are required.
  • The committee asks questions of clarification and elaboration throughout the presentation.
  • The committee then probes the student's knowledge of the supporting fundamentals.
  • The advisor's participation should be limited to questions and, only if needed to let the exam proceed, small clarifications.
  • The exam should not take more than two hours.

Possible outcomes and recommendations

  • The student passes, with possible suggestions for sharpening the topic and the plan, for improving his or her presentation technique, and/or for firming up his or her knowledge in certain areas.
  • The student passes, subject to the student satisfying specific conditions set by the committee, e.g., by taking a certain course, or improving part of the presentation and re-presenting it at a later date, etc.
  • The exam is inconclusive. In a second exam, the student may need to present a new or sharper research topic and plan, or need to demonstrate firmer knowledge of the supporting fundamentals. More course work may also be required.
  • The committee decides that the student has not demonstrated ability to complete the Ph.D. program successfully and will be required to withdraw.

In any of the above, the student may receive some suggestions for improving his or her presentation technique.