Welcome to the Department of Physics at Colorado State University Physics, the most fundamental of sciences, is the study of motion, matter and energy at scales ranging from the cosmological to subatomic. At CSU, you will receive a practical, hands-on, and individualized education at a leading research institution.<br>Doctor of Philosophy<br>The primary requirement is a dissertation covering research performed by the student under the supervision of a research advisor. A minimum of 72 semester credits including course work and research is required. These must include the seven core courses: PH571 (Mathematical Methods for Physics I), PH621 (Classical Mechanics), PH641 and 642 (Electromagnetism I and II), PH651 and 652 (Quantum Mechanics I and II), and PH671 (Statistical Mechanics).<br><br>A minimum grade point average of 3.0 must be achieved for these seven core courses. In addition, a student is required to complete four credits of PH692 (Seminar), 6 credit hours of electives from physics classroom courses at the 500 level or above, and an additional 3 credit hours of physics classroom course(s) at the 600 level or above. Neither PH517 nor PH572 can be used to fulfill the elective requirements and at least 3 credits must be on a subject that is outside the student's primary area of research.<br><br>Students who entered the graduate program prior to FA18 can use either the original or revised curricula to satisfy their degree requirements. The original requirements have the same credit hour requirements but specified that students must complete the seven core courses listed plus PH572 with a minimum grade point of 3.0 for these eight courses, plus 6 credit hours of elective physics classroom courses at the 500 level or higher, 3 credits of which must be from outside the student's primary area of research, and four credits of PH692 (Seminar).<br><br>Requests for course substitutes, waivers, or transfer credits should be made in writing to the department Graduate Advisory Committee. The oral preliminary examination includes a formal presentation of the student's proposal for dissertation research, followed by an oral examination administered by the student's graduate thesis committee. The student must pass the Ph.D. preliminary examination. The thesis defense cannot occur earlier than the second term following the preliminary exam. Term is defined as the period of time beginning on the first day of classes and ending on the day before the first day of class of the subsequent term. (e.g.: any preliminary given during winter break is considered to be part of the preceding, fall term). The final examination for the Ph.D. degree is the dissertation defense. In addition to these department requirements concerning the timing of the preliminary examination, there are also graduate school requirements. Both sets of requirements will need to be satisfied.