graduate handbook physics

8/12/2019 Graduate Handbook physics

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1 Introduction........................................................................................................................ 51.1 Exceptions to Rules ......................................................................................................... 51.2 Guiding Principles ........................................................................................................... 5

1.3 Eberly College of Science Code of Mutual Respect and Cooperation ........................... 6

1.4

Aims ................................................................................................................................ 6

2 New Student Information................................................................................................ 62.1 Before You Arrive ........................................................................................................... 6

2.1.1 How to Contact the Physics Department ......................................................................... 72.1.2 Advising and Mentoring .................................................................................................. 7

2.1.3 Who's who ....................................................................................................................... 7

2.2 Summary of Campus Services Addresses ....................................................................... 8

2.3 Graduate Degree Program Information ........................................................................... 82.4 Campus Services Information ......................................................................................... 8

2.5 After You Arrive ............................................................................................................. 8

2.5.1 Keys/ID Cards ................................................................................................................. 9

2.5.2

Housing ........................................................................................................................... 9

2.5.3 Student Health Insurance ................................................................................................ 9

2.5.4 On-campus Health/Emergency Services ......................................................................... 92.6 International Students ...................................................................................................... 9

2.6.1 Evaluation of English Competency ................................................................................. 9

2.6.2 Guidelines on F-1 Visas ................................................................................................ 10

2.7 Assistantships and Support ............................................................................................ 102.7.1 Teaching Assistantships (TAs") .................................................................................. 10

2.7.2 Research Assistantships ................................................................................................ 11

2.7.3 Fellowships and Awards ............................................................................................... 112.7.4 Fellowships from External Agencies ............................................................................ 11

2.7.5 Physics Department Awards ......................................................................................... 11

2.8

Physics Graduate Association (PGA) ........................................................................... 12

2.9 Coffee Facilities and Informal Interaction .................................................................... 12

3 Degree Requirements.................................................................................................... 123.1 Common Requirements ................................................................................................. 123.1.1 Grades ............................................................................................................................ 12

3.1.2 English Proficiency ....................................................................................................... 12

3.1.3 Residence Requirements ............................................................................................... 13

3.1.4 Continuous Registration ................................................................................................ 133.2 Ph.D. .............................................................................................................................. 13

3.2.1 Summary of Typical Ph.D. ............................................................................................ 13

3.2.2 Core Courses ................................................................................................................. 143.2.3

Recommendations for advanced courses ...................................................................... 15

3.2.4 Courses Outside of the Physics Department ................................................................. 15

3.2.5 Sample Course Plan ...................................................................................................... 163.2.6 Admission to Ph.D. Candidacy ..................................................................................... 16

3.2.6.1 Candidacy Requirements ............................................................................................... 16

3.2.6.2 Procedures, etc. ............................................................................................................. 17

Sample Tables: ............................................................................................................................ 18


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3.2.6.3 Candidacy Examination ................................................................................................ 19

3.2.6.4 Delay of Candidacy Exam ............................................................................................. 19

3.2.7 Research ........................................................................................................................ 193.2.7.1 Finding an adviser ......................................................................................................... 19

3.2.7.2 Adviser outside the department ..................................................................................... 19

3.2.7.3

Change of adviser .......................................................................................................... 19

3.2.8 Thesis Committee .......................................................................................................... 20

3.2.9 Comprehensive Examination ........................................................................................ 20

3.2.10 After the Comprehensive Exam .................................................................................... 20

3.2.11 Thesis for Ph.D. ............................................................................................................. 203.3 M.S. Program ................................................................................................................ 21

3.3.1 Summary of Typical M.S. ............................................................................................. 21

3.3.2 Courses for Standard M.S. ............................................................................................ 213.3.3 Research ........................................................................................................................ 21

3.3.4 Paper .............................................................................................................................. 21

3.3.5 Thesis for M.S. .............................................................................................................. 21

3.4

M.Ed. Program .............................................................................................................. 21

3.5 Policy on Exemptions from Course Work and Examinations ....................................... 22

3.5.1 Exemption from course requirements ........................................................................... 22

3.5.2 Candidacy and previous work ....................................................................................... 22

4 Course Descriptions...................................................................................................... 224.1 Graduate Physics Course Descriptions ......................................................................... 22

4.2 Physics-related courses in other Departments ............................................................... 274.3 Relevant 400-Level Physics Courses ............................................................................ 27

4.4 English Courses relevant to Thesis Preparation ............................................................ 27

5 Course Administration Procedures.......................................................................... 275.1 Course Registration ....................................................................................................... 27

5.2 Examination Procedures ................................................................................................ 28

5.3

Posting of Grades .......................................................................................................... 28

5.4 Evaluations of Teaching Effectiveness ......................................................................... 28

5.5 Student Ratings of Teaching Effectiveness ................................................................... 28

5.6 Final Exams ................................................................................................................... 285.7 Grading .......................................................................................................................... 28

5.8 Deferred Grades ............................................................................................................ 29

5.9 Grade Changes .............................................................................................................. 29

6 Addi tional Guidelines for Teaching Assistants..................................................... 296.1 General Guidelines for All TAs .................................................................................... 29

6.1.1 Specific Duties of TAs .................................................................................................. 30

6.1.2 Other duties that may be assigned to you during the term are: ..................................... 306.1.3

Matters to be brought to the attention of the course or laboratory supervisor include: 30

6.1.4 Materials needed for the TAs teaching assignment ..................................................... 30

6.2 Particular Guidelines for Laboratory TAs ..................................................................... 306.2.1 Laboratory Duties .......................................................................................................... 30

6.2.2 Rules for Students in the Labs Taught by TAs ............................................................. 31

6.3 Particular Guidelines for Recitation TAs ...................................................................... 31

6.4 Termination of Assistantship due to Inadequate Performance ...................................... 31


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6.5 Relationships between TAs and Students ..................................................................... 32

7 Miscellaneous.................................................................................................................. 327.1 Colloquia and Seminars ................................................................................................ 327.2 Graduate Research Exhibition ....................................................................................... 32

7.3 Intellectual Property, Publications, etc. ......................................................................... 33

8

Facilities............................................................................................................................ 33

8.1 Computer Facilities ....................................................................................................... 33

8.1.1 Overview of Computing Facilities ................................................................................ 33

8.1.2 E-mail ............................................................................................................................ 338.2 Copy Machines .............................................................................................................. 34

8.3 FAX and Telephones ..................................................................................................... 34

8.4 Libraries ........................................................................................................................ 34

8.5 Machine Shop and Technical Facilities ........................................................................ 348.6 Departmental and University Facility Use Policies ...................................................... 34

8.6.1 Student Use of Facilities ............................................................................................... 34

8.6.2 Student Use of Shop Facilities and Services ................................................................. 35

8.6.3

Use of University Vehicles ........................................................................................... 35

8.6.4 Building Management ................................................................................................... 35

8.6.5 Purchasing ..................................................................................................................... 358.6.6 Keys/ID Cards ............................................................................................................... 36

8.6.7 Recycling ....................................................................................................................... 36

8.6.8 Smoking Policy ............................................................................................................. 36

8.6.9 University Police and Public Safety .............................................................................. 36

Appendices .................................................................................................................................. 37A Copies of Relevant University Policies ......................................................................... 37

A.1 Sexual Harassment ........................................................................................................ 37A.2 Intellectual Property ...................................................................................................... 37

A.2.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................... 37

A.2.2

Rights in Inventions ...................................................................................................... 38

A.2.3 Patent Practice and Procedures ..................................................................................... 38

A.2.4 Copyright Practice and Procedures ............................................................................... 39

A.2.5 Related Issues ................................................................................................................ 39A.2.6 Intellectual Property Office Functions .......................................................................... 40

A.2.7 Revenue Distribution ..................................................................................................... 40

A.3 Coauthorship ................................................................................................................. 41

B Ph.D. Student English Competency Policies ................................................................ 41B.1 English Speaking Competency: Assessment ................................................................. 42

B.2 English Writing Competency: Assessment ................................................................... 42


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as part of the student's academic plan.Resolution of these issues early in the graduateprogram is often the best way to avoid laterdisputes.

Opportunities for evaluation. Evaluation,reflection, and feedback are integral parts of the

academic process. These items should be aregular part of every graduate program. Early,frequent, and constructive feedback helps toprevent small differences from becoming seriousproblems.

While these six guiding principles are not exhaustive, theydo reflect a spirit that can make the graduate educationprocess at Penn State more rewarding and productive foreveryone.

1.3 Eberly College of Science Code ofMutual Respect and Cooperation

The Eberly College of Science has adopted a Code ofMutual Respect and Cooperation designed to embodythe values that we hope our faculty, staff, and studentspossess, consistent with the aspirational goals expressedin the Penn State Principles. The University is stronglycommitted to freedom of expression, and consequently,the Code does not constitute University or College policy,and is not intended to interfere in any way with anindividuals academic or personal freedoms. We hope,however, that individuals will voluntarily endorse the 12principles set forth in the Code, thereby helping us makethe Eberly College of Science a place where everyindividual feels respected and valued, as well aschallenged and rewarded.

The 12 Princip les of the Code are:

1. Treat everyone equally and with respect2. Be courteous3. Be ready to communicate4. Encourage others and share your expertise with

them5. Give and accept constructive criticism6. Be receptive to change7. Be a team player8. Get involved9. Have a positive attitude10. Be honest and accept responsibility11. Recognize other peoples priorities

12. Strive to do your best

1.4 Aims

The principal goals of the Penn State Physics Departmentare

effective and conscientious education of studentsat all levels;

performance of creative, high quality research atthe frontiers of physics;

provision of resources to the community,government, university, and industry in areasrelevant to physics.

Our programs and rules are designed to achieve theseaims, but the ultimate success depends on energetic,imaginative, and cooperative efforts of our students,faculty, and staff.

Specific goals of the graduate students in physics include:learning physics, developing research skills, andbecoming prepared for future employment. The facultyand staff are devoted to helping students in all the manyways appropriate to these goals. Students should feel freeto discuss these informally at any time.

Virtually all students are here because they aspire tocareers involving physics in some way. Hence it isimportant to understand various facts concerning

employment in such careers. The first fact is that onlyabout 20% of Penn State Ph.D. recipients end up inacademic careers; most of the rest work in the industrialsector. A rather higher proportion starts out in temporarypostdoctoral positions. Frequently, the ultimate careerdoes not directly involve the research area of the Ph.D.but does use the skills acquired during the graduateeducation.

What are the skills sought by these various employers?There is an emphasis, of course, on scientific ability. Veryimportant also is the ability to communicate clearly. It isimportant for students in the job market to possess thesecapabilities. It is prudent for students to develop suchskills by presenting seminars, which are critically

assessed, by writing reports and papers, and bydiscussing science with colleagues.

It should be noted that employers regard publicationsfavorably. However, the specific number of papers tendsnot to be a critical variable. (This is true for colleges anduniversities as well as industrial employers.) Much moreimportant, in general, are the assessments in referenceletters of the individual's contributions to research in theirsub field.

2 New Student Information

2.1 Before You Arrive

Most of your questions about the graduate program inPhysics at Penn State will be answered in this handbook.Prospectivegraduate students are advised to write to theDepartment of Physics, 104 Davey Laboratory, ThePennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802or call (814) 863-0118 for assistantship applications,semesterschedules and other information beyond what isfound in this Handbook. Up-to-date descriptions oftheresearch programs of the current faculty in Physics at


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comprehensive examination, the research adviser maycontinue as thesis adviser.

2.2 Summary of Campus ServicesAddresses

Main Penn State phone number

+1 (814) 865-4700

Physics Department Address:Physics DepartmentPenn State104 Davey LaboratoryUniversity Park, PA 16802U.S.A.Phone: +1 (814) 865-7533Fax: +1 (814) 865-3604E-mail:[email protected]:http://www.phys.psu.edu/

Thesis Office: 115 Kern Bldg., 865-5448.http://gradsch.psu.edu/current/thesis.html

Student Affairs: 206 Old Main, 865-0909http://studentaffairs.psu.edu/

Graduate School Enrollment Services114 Kern Bldg., 865-1795http://gradsch.psu.edu/

Graduate Student Association Office312 HUB-Robeson Center, 865-4211http://gsa.psu.edu/

Office of Graduate Educational Equity303 Kern Bldg., 863-1663http://www.gradsch.psu.edu/diversity/

International Student Services410 Boucke Bldg., 865-6348 or 863-7681http://www.international.psu.edu/

University Health ServicesStudent Health Center See Section 2.5.4.http://www.sa.psu.edu/uhs/index.cfm

University Health Services Student Insurance Office302 Student Health Center, 865-7467http://www.sa.psu.edu/uhs/basics/insurance.cfm

Center for Counseling and Psychological Services501 Student Health Center, 863-0395http://www.sa.psu.edu/caps/

Affirmative Action Office328 Boucke Building 863-0471http://www.psu.edu/dept/aaoffice/

Office of Human ResourcesJames M. Elliott Building 4thFloor, 865-8216http://www.ohr.psu.edu/

2.3 Graduate Degree ProgramInformation

The university publishes a Graduate Degree ProgramsBulletin, which can be found on-line at:http://www.psu.edu/bulletins/whitebook/.The bulletincontains comprehensive information on the graduateprograms at Penn State and should be consulted as theprimary source of information on university guidelines andregulations for the graduate program. In addition, there isan online booklet General Polices, Rules, and Procedures(http://www.sa.psu.edu/ja/procedures.shtml,click on thelink Student Guide to General University Policies andRules) published by the Office of Judicial Affairs, (814)863-0342. This is a compendium of university rules andregulations.

Every semester, the university publishes a Schedule ofCourses for the next semester which is available online athttp://schedule.psu.edu. Final examination times andplaces are sent to each student and faculty member via e-lion (http://www.elion.psu.edu).

Upon arrival on campus, you will be able to access theon-line information above on any of the public-useterminals available on campus, as in the Libraries and theStudent Center (Hetzel Union Building (HUB)). Youshould also obtain a computer account as soon aspossible (see Section 8.1), which will enable you to use aweb browser, such as Firefox or Internet Explorer, toaccess on-line information.

2.4 Campus Services Information

Much information is available by the World-Wide-Web.Notable addresses are: Penn State's home page athttp://www.psu.edu/,and the Physics Department's home

page at http://www.phys.psu.edu/. General Academicinformation for Penn State is accessible on the WWW athttp://www.psu.edu/ur/academic.html.

2.5 After You Arr ive

Upon arrival on campus, incoming students should makeevery effort to introduce themselves to their mentoringcommittee members, as available, and to the graduatecoordinator. The graduate coordinator can be found in themain Physics Office (104 Davey). You may need to stayat a local motel for the first few days until you findhousing.

Upon arrival, you will also want to find out about various

orientation schedules. Information on orientationschedules is always available from the graduatecoordinator. Upon arrival on campus, other resources willbe available to you. International students will need tocontact the Office of International Students, 410 BouckeBldg. The Graduate Student Association Office at 312HUB-Robeson Center, (814) 865-4211, open 9 am to 5pm, is another resource on issues related to graduatestudent life. The Graduate Commons, located in the KernBuilding, also provides a good introduction to theprograms and services available on campus. The Office of
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.phys.psu.edu/http://www.phys.psu.edu/http://www.phys.psu.edu/http://gradsch.psu.edu/current/thesis.htmlhttp://gradsch.psu.edu/current/thesis.htmlhttp://studentaffairs.psu.edu/http://studentaffairs.psu.edu/http://gradsch.psu.edu/http://gradsch.psu.edu/http://gsa.psu.edu/http://gsa.psu.edu/http://www.gradsch.psu.edu/diversity/http://www.gradsch.psu.edu/diversity/http://www.international.psu.edu/http://www.international.psu.edu/http://www.sa.psu.edu/uhs/index.cfmhttp://www.sa.psu.edu/uhs/index.cfmhttp://www.sa.psu.edu/uhs/basics/insurance.cfmhttp://www.sa.psu.edu/uhs/basics/insurance.cfmhttp://www.sa.psu.edu/caps/http://www.sa.psu.edu/caps/http://www.psu.edu/dept/aaoffice/http://www.psu.edu/dept/aaoffice/http://www.ohr.psu.edu/http://www.ohr.psu.edu/http://www.psu.edu/bulletins/whitebook/http://www.psu.edu/bulletins/whitebook/http://www.sa.psu.edu/ja/procedures.shtmlhttp://www.sa.psu.edu/ja/procedures.shtmlhttp://www.sa.psu.edu/ja/procedures.shtmlhttp://schedule.psu.edu/http://schedule.psu.edu/http://www.elion.psu.edu/http://www.elion.psu.edu/http://www.elion.psu.edu/http://www.psu.edu/http://www.psu.edu/http://www.phys.psu.edu/http://www.phys.psu.edu/http://www.psu.edu/ur/academic.htmlhttp://www.psu.edu/ur/academic.htmlhttp://www.psu.edu/ur/academic.htmlhttp://www.phys.psu.edu/http://www.psu.edu/http://www.elion.psu.edu/http://schedule.psu.edu/http://www.sa.psu.edu/ja/procedures.shtmlhttp://www.psu.edu/bulletins/whitebook/http://www.ohr.psu.edu/http://www.psu.edu/dept/aaoffice/http://www.sa.psu.edu/caps/http://www.sa.psu.edu/uhs/basics/insurance.cfmhttp://www.sa.psu.edu/uhs/index.cfmhttp://www.international.psu.edu/http://www.gradsch.psu.edu/diversity/http://gsa.psu.edu/http://gradsch.psu.edu/http://studentaffairs.psu.edu/http://gradsch.psu.edu/current/thesis.htmlhttp://www.phys.psu.edu/mailto:[email protected]


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Graduate Educational Equity, 111J Kern Bldg., UniversityPark, PA 16802, (814) 863-1663 is an important resourcefor minority students.

2.5.1 Keys/ID Cards

Information on these matters is available from thegraduate coordinator in the main physics office, 104Davey. Keys are issued for the building and laboratoriesetc. as needed, with the approval of a faculty member. A$10.00 deposit is required for each key. Key requests areelectronically processed in the Physics Department Office(104 Davey). You will be notified by email when therequest has been approved. You will then return to thePhysics Department Office with your deposit and a photoID. Keys are not to be lent to anyone. It is unlawful toduplicate these keys.

All keys must be returned before a student leaves theUniversity; at that time the deposits are refunded. Failureto return keys will result in forfeiture of any deposit andmay result in a charge to the student's account until the

keys are returned or until the cost of rekeying the facility isrecovered.

2.5.2 Housing

An important need will be housing. For Off-CampusLiving, http://www.sa.psu.edu/ocl/ or 234 HUB RobesonCenter (814)-865-2346. For on-campus housing, contactThe Assignment Office for Campus Residence, 201Johnston Commons, (814) 865-7501 or email [email protected] information Desk at HUBis another source of information, (814) 865-2000 (for off-hours call).

2.5.3 Student Health Insurance

Injury and sickness insurance is available to graduatestudents, their spouses and eligible children. Informationis available at:http://www.sa.psu.edu/uhs/basics/insurance.cfm.Graduate Assistant and Graduate Fellows will have theoption of declining to enroll in the Penn State GraduateAssistant and Graduate Fellow Health Insurance Planunless the Graduate Assistant and Graduate Fellow isrequired to have insurance as a result of their status as aninternational student. If the Graduate Assistant andGraduate Fellow wishes to decline enrollment in thehealth insurance plan, they must sign the declinationagreement online at:University Health Services | myUHS

2.5.4 On-campus Health /Emergency Services

University Health Serviceshttp://www.sa.psu.edu/uhs/

University Health Services (UHS) offers a convenientcampus location in the Student Health Center which isadjacent to the Eisenhower Parking Deck and the Bank ofAmerica Career Services Building off Bigler Road. TheCampus Loop stops on Bigler just south of the Student

Health Center. See the Penn State Core Campus Map(Location: STH Student Health Center B6).

For more parking information please see the UniversityHealth Services website athttp://www.sa.psu.edu/uhs/.

In situations of extreme emergency, such as an accident

or life threatening situation, the closest major hospital withfull facilities is the Mount Nittany Medical Center, (814)231-7000.

Health Services Phone NumbersUniversity Health Services (Student Affairs)

Ambulance/Emergency Calls 911University Police 863-1111

Medical ServicesAppointments General Medicine 863-0774Appointments Womens Health 863-2633Appointments Physical Therapy 863-0774Advice Nurse General Medicine 863-4463Alcohol Intervention Program 863-0461Health Services Assistance 865-6556Pharmacy 865-9321

2.6 International Students

The graduate coordinator and/or International StudentServices will already have been in touch with youregarding immigration and naturalization matters.Additional information can be found on-line athttp://www.international.psu.edu/. Upon arrival,international students will need to apply for a SocialSecurity Number. They will also need to fill out aWithholding form and open a bank account in order toreceive a paycheck. Information on such matters can

always be obtained from the graduate coordinator. At thewebsite above, on-line information can also be found onboth on-campus and off-campus housing. Internationalstudents are strongly encouraged to gain fullproficiency with the English language at the earliestpossible opportunity. This should be given highpriority in the first year of graduate school. On-lineinformation on the Intensive English CommunicationProgram can be found at the website above. See alsoSection 2.6.1 on physics department requirements, and3.1.2 for university policy guidelines on Englishproficiency.

2.6.1 Evaluation of English Competency

Upon arrival on campus, every incoming student mustmeet with members of their mentoring committee assoon as possible for a preliminary evaluation of thestudent's competency in spoken English. This evaluationmay simply be made on the basis of informal oraldiscussion and a copy of the evaluation filed with thestudent's record. International students who are to beTeaching Assistants (TAs) are also required to pre-register for a test of oral English proficiency administered by the Department of Applied Linguistics,305 Sparks Bldg, 814-865-7365. This must be taken upon
http://www.sa.psu.edu/ocl/http://www.sa.psu.edu/ocl/mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.sa.psu.edu/uhs/basics/insurance.cfmhttp://www.sa.psu.edu/uhs/basics/insurance.cfmhttp://studentaffairs.psu.edu/health/myUHShttp://studentaffairs.psu.edu/health/myUHShttp://www.sa.psu.edu/uhs/http://www.sa.psu.edu/uhs/http://www.sa.psu.edu/uhs/http://www.sa.psu.edu/uhs/http://www.sa.psu.edu/uhs/http://www.international.psu.edu/http://www.international.psu.edu/http://www.international.psu.edu/http://www.sa.psu.edu/uhs/http://www.sa.psu.edu/uhs/http://studentaffairs.psu.edu/health/myUHShttp://www.sa.psu.edu/uhs/basics/insurance.cfmmailto:[email protected]://www.sa.psu.edu/ocl/


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arrival on campus. International students whose nativelanguage is English may be granted an exemption fromactually taking the test, but pre-registration is required.Information on the ESL requirement is available from thegraduate coordinator. Students who are judged by therespective Graduate Student Mentoring Committee(s) tohave no deficiencies in their English speaking ability and

have passed, or been exempt from, the ESL exam willhave completed their spoken English proficiencyrequirement.

International students whose speaking ability is judgedinadequate by the mentoring committee and/or whoreceive a low score on the ESL test will be required toformally enroll in ESL 115G, American Oral English forITAS I, (3 credits). Upon receiving a passing grade in ESL115G, they will be required to enroll in ESL 117G,

American Oral English for ITAS II (3 credits), and 118GAmerican Oral English for ITAS III(3 credits). A grade ofA in these courses will qualify these students as havingcompleted the spoken English proficiency requirement.

2.6.2 Guideli nes on F-1 VisasThe Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) hasregulations that pertain to international students with F-1visas. Each student is responsible for learning about andabiding by these regulations. Students or faculty whohave questions regarding these regulations shouldcontact the Penn State International Student Services(814)865-6348.

INS views students holding assistantships as having on-campus employment. On-campus employment ispermitted as long as the student is pursuing his/herprogram of study full time. Once the student completesthe program of study and has no plans to continue, the

student must stop working.

An F-1 student who is unable to complete a full course ofstudy in a timely manner must apply, in a 30-day periodbefore the completion date on the Form I-20 A-B, to thePenn State International Student Services office. An F-1student who is unable to meet the program completiondate on the Form I-20 A-B may be granted a programextension by Penn State if the Foreign Student Advisercertifies on a Form I-538 that the student has continuallymaintained regular student status and that the delays arecaused by compelling academic or medical reasons, suchas changes of major or research topics, unexpectedresearch problems, or documented illnesses. Delayscaused by academic probation or suspension are not

acceptable reasons for program extension.

The Foreign Student Adviser must notify the INS within 30days of any approved program extensions by forwardingto the INS Data Processing Center a certification on FormI-538 and the top page of a new Form I-20 A-B showing anew program completion date. Because of the requiredpaperwork, students who need to apply for an extensionof stay should begin the application process 45 to 60 daysbefore the completion date. Students should submit thefollowing documents: (1) a letter from the academic

adviser explaining the delay in completion of the programand giving a new completion date, and (2) a financialguarantee. F-1 students who have not maintained regularstudent status and who will not finish the program by thecompletion date must apply for reinstatement.

2.7 Assistantships and Support

The primary source of information on university guidelineson graduate assistantships is:http://www.gradsch.psu.edu/prospective/assistantships.html.Information on the terms of your appointment canalways be obtained from the graduate coordinator, andfrom your mentoring committee. The Department ofPhysics awards fellowships as well as research andteaching assistantships. In addition, the Graduate Schoolprovides a limited number of fellowships, tuition grants-in-aid and several loan programs. Normally, students whomaintain regular academic status and who makeadequate progress toward completing their degrees canexpect continued support.

2.7.1 Teaching Assistantsh ips ( TAs")The Department of Physics awards 10 to 20 teachingassistantships to incoming graduate students each year.

Students supported by teaching assistantships work 15 to20 hours per week teaching physics recitations andlaboratory classes, grading problems and exams forinstructors, etc. Two recent anonymous surveys ofteaching assistants have shown that the load is 15 2hours per week.

For the summer, students are encouraged to seekalternative sources of funding. For example, a number offaculty have graduate researcher positions available.When such summer support is not available, somestudents for the first two years are supported as graduateteaching assistants. Beyond that, some departmentalsummer support may be available.

Summer support is conditional on a student beingassociated with a research group or adviser. This will notnecessarily mean that the student has started on his/herthesis research, or that the thesis research will be on thesame topic. However, it is important that a student start togain research experience as soon as possible.

In addition to providing support for graduate students,teaching assistantships help students to enhance theirclassroom skill. To assist in this development, all incoming

graduate students are required to participate in a TAtraining session at the beginning of Fall semester.

* Note that teaching assistants must report to thedepartment a week before the semester begins . Thisis to allow for effective organization fo r large courses,etc. Teaching assistants must remain available untilthe end of the final exam period.

After the first year or two that a student is in thedepartment, adequate progress in research is a
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2.8 Physics Graduate Association (PGA)

The Physics Graduate Association (PGA) is an importantdepartmental resource drawing together graduatestudents in different sub fields for informal social andphysics interaction. PGA activities in the past haveincluded fielding a softball team, pizza lunches, providingorientation and tips for new students, meetings with the

physics faculty and administration, sponsoring talks (onemployment in physics, etc.), practice talks for meetings,and the maintenance of refrigerators, copy machines, etc.for student use. Women and minority graduate students inphysics have also had informal groups that meetregularly, providing opportunities for peer support. Sincethe graduate student associations are designed by thecurrent graduate student body, activities will vary fromyear-to-year.

2.9 Coffee Facilit ies and InformalInteraction

Canned soda and snacks are available from vendingmachines located next to room 310 Davey Lab and in thelobby of Osmond Lab. Sodas, and an informal interactionarea maintained by the Physics Graduate Association(see above), are also available in the Undergraduate andGraduate Student Lounge, room 219 Osmond Lab. Agood venue to mingle with a broad spectrum of faculty,post docs, and graduate students is the weekly coffeebreak, Thursdays 3:304:00 p.m. supplied by thePhysics Department. It is held on the 2nd floor bridgeconnecting Davey and Osmond, just prior to the PhysicsColloquium.

3 Degree Requirements

This section explains the requirements for the graduatedegrees offered by the physics department: the Ph.D.,M.S., and M.Ed. degrees. It is a combination of generaluniversity rules and the specific requirements of thePhysics Department. In certain cases, exceptions to therules may be granted --- see Section 1.1.

More detailed information and the precise rules on theuniversitys requirements can be found in Penn StatesGraduate Degree Programs Bulletin, which is availableelectronically athttp://www.psu.edu/bulletins/whitebook/.

3.1 Common Requirements

The requirements of the different degrees are acombination of a thesis (for the doctoral degrees, andoptionally for the masters degrees), course work anddepartmental examinations. Each course counts for acertain number of credits. There are requirements on thenumber of credits that a student registers for in order tomaintain his/her status as a full-time student. A unit of acredit corresponds to a class hour, i.e., 50 minutes, perweek of lectures in a standard course.

Graduate courses are numbered from 500 599. Inaddition, there are course numbers 600, 601, 610 and611. These do not represent actual courses. Instead, theyare used by students working on research for a thesis. Astudent registers for a number of credits under one ofthese numbers when doing research.

A student should register for Phys 600 for thesis researchwhen the research is on-campus, and he/she also wishesto register for regular courses. Phys 601 is used whenhe/she does not register for regular courses. Phys 610 isused for off-campus research and Phys 611 for part-timestudents. Note that if a student is doing thesis researchbut is taking no courses, then it is advantageous toregister for 601 instead of 600, because tuition fees arethen lower. (601 and 611 have a credit hour value of zero,in contrast to 600 and 610.)

Undergraduate courses are numbered from 001 499.Those in the range 001 399 are strictly undergraduatecourses. Graduate students take them only to fill in gapsor remedy deficiencies in previous education; credit for

such courses cannot be applied to requirements forgraduate degrees.

Undergraduate courses in the range 400 499 can betaken for a very limited number of credits in a graduateprogram, in general according to the requirements foreach degree. In the Physics Department, graduatestudents take undergraduate courses in physics onlywhen necessary to fill gaps in their previous education.

The responsibility for being properly registered for coursesand maintaining full-time status rests with the student.This should be done in consultation with the student'sadviser or mentoring committee.

3.1.1 Grades

See Section 5.7 for the detailed university policy oncourses and their grading.

A graduate student must maintain a minimum gradepoint average (GPA) of 3.00. This is a universityrequirement for graduate degrees. (Here A=4.00, A-=3.67,B+=3.33, B=3.00, B-=2.67, C+=2.33, C=2.00, D=1.00, F(fail)=0.00.) Although this minimum need not bemaintained semester-by-semester, a Ph.D. student mustmeet the 3.00 minimum to pass candidacy, for admissionto the comprehensive examination, the final oralexamination, and for graduation. For a Master's degree,the 3.00 minimum applies for graduation. See also Penn

State's Graduate Degree Programs Bulletin.

In addition, there are Physics Department requirementson admission to Ph.D. candidacy that involve a minimumcourse grade in the first-year courses---see Section3.2.6.1.

3.1.2 English Proficiency

It is University policy that a candidate for the degree ofDoctor of Philosophy demonstrate high-level competence
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in the use of the English language, including reading,writing, and speaking as part of the language andcommunications requirements for the Ph.D. Programs areexpected to establish mechanisms for assessing andimproving competence of both domestic and internationalstudents. Assessment should include pieces of originalwriting. Competence must be formally attested by the

program before the Doctoral Comprehensive Examinationmay be scheduled. To allow students to demonstratecompetency, some courses have assignments in writingand of making oral presentations. In particular, these arepart of the requirements for the courses Phys. 559(Graduate Laboratory) and 590 (Current Research), whichare taken by first-year graduate students in physics.International students should note that the passage of theminimal TOEFL requirements does not demonstrate thelevel of competence expected of a Ph.D. graduate fromPenn State. See Sec. 2.6.1.

Students supported on teaching assistantships arerequired to demonstrate English competency and topossibly take English training courses as detailed in

Appendix B.

3.1.3 Residence Requirements

The University policy is that over some twelve-monthperiod during the interval between admission to the Ph.D.program and completion of the Ph.D. program, thecandidate must spend at least two semesters as aregistered full-time student engaged in academic work atthe University Park Campus, The Milton S. HersheyMedical Center, or Penn State Harrisburg.

3.1.4 Continuous Registration

All graduate students should be registered at a credit levelappropriate to their level of activity. After a Ph.D.candidate has passed the comprehensive examinationand met the residency requirement (Section 3.1.3), thestudent must continue to register for every Fall and Springsemester until the Ph.D. thesis is accepted and approved.

Post-comprehensive Ph.D. students who are mainlyengaged in research are encouraged to meet thecontinuous registration requirement by registering forPhys. 601 (see Section 3.1). Ph.D. candidates registeredfor Phys. 601 who have both passedthe comprehensiveexamination , and also met the two-semester full-timeresidency requirement, become eligible for reducedtuition. They may take up to three additional credits eachsemester with the payment of an additional flat fee and

adviser approval.

Students who are supported by an assistantship for bothfall and spring semesters are eligible to apply to theSummer Tuition Assistance Program. With adviserapproval, students are able to register for up to 9 creditsduring the summer and the University pays the tuition.

3.2 Ph.D.

3.2.1 Summary of Typical Ph.D.

First the student will either take, or be exemptedfrom (see Section 3.5), the required corecourses, which cover the main areas of physics.

This typically takes one year. During this time,the student will be under the guidance of amentoring committee. Students are encouragedto meet regularly with their mentoring committeeto plan course work, learn of opportunities forresearch/financial support, and discuss withthem any other concerns they may haveregarding their progress in the graduateprogram. If a student wishes to change thecomposition of the mentoring committee, he orshe should contact the Director of GraduateStudies.

All students must take the fall candidacyexamination. If this exam is not passed, the

student must take the candidacy exam given inthe spring. At the end of the spring semester ofthe first year, the student's academic record isevaluated for admission to Ph.D. candidacy (seeSection 3.2.6.1).

Although research does not normally start untilafter the student has passed the candidacyexamination, students are encouraged to startlooking for a research adviser during the firstyear. This will be a faculty member who willadvise them after the first year and may continueas thesis adviser through the completion ofrequirements for the Ph.D. degree.

In order to get support during the first summer,students are encouraged to become associatedwith a research group or a faculty member.

After admission to Ph.D. candidacy, the studentshould make a concerted effort to select aresearch adviser and begin research. In somesubjects, especially for students with researchinterests in theoretical physics, this stage may bedelayed until after the student has takenadvanced courses (like 563/4). Students areencouraged to consult with their mentoringcommittee on finding a research adviser.

A Ph.D. candidate will either take, or beexempted from (see Section 3.6), four physicsgraduate courses other than the core coursesafter consultation with their mentoring committee.They may in addition take courses outside of thedepartment with the written approval of theiradviser or mentoring committee (see Section3.2.4). Graduate courses from other departmentsmay be substituted for some of the four if they


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are directly relevant to the students thesis andwith the written approval of the thesis adviser.The sample four year course plan given inTables 2 and 3 should be treated as guidance indeveloping the students own course plan.

The student, in consultation with his/her researchadviser, will select at least three additionalfaculty members to serve on the studentsdoctoral committee, prior to taking thecomprehensive examination. At least onemember of this committee needs to be fromoutside the physics department. Thecomprehensive exam is normally taken a yearafter the candidacy examination. Passing thisexamination is necessary to proceed to a Ph.D.degree.

Following the comprehensive examination, thestudent will engage in research under theguidance of the thesis adviser towards

completion of the Ph.D. degree. Students areencouraged to maintain regular contact with themembers of the doctoral committee. During thefinal year of research, the student will write upthe results of his/her research program in athesis.

The student will present the results contained inthe thesis at a final oral examination before thedoctoral committee. If the thesis is approved, thestudent will be awarded a Ph.D.

It is required by Penn State that a doctoral student mustcomplete the program, including acceptance of the

doctoral thesis, within 8 years

from the date ofacceptance as a candidate. However, the graduate deanin appropriate circumstances may grant extensions.Moreover, a graduate student must maintain a minimumof a 3.00 grade point average (equivalent to a B grade).Although this minimum need not be maintained semester-by-semester, a Ph.D. student must meet the 3.00 GPAminimumfor admission to candidacy, the comprehensiveexamination, the final oral examination for the Ph.D.defense, and for graduation.

Subject to the approval of the adviser and the head of thedepartment, a student may register for research to bedone away from the University Park campus. In thePhysics Department, this frequently happens for students

in elementary particle experiments who are working on anexperiment at a laboratory in another city or country.

There is no departmental foreign language requirement,although a reading knowledge of one foreign languagemay be needed in some areas of research. Generally,physics research results reported in journals and atconferences are presented in English.

3.2.2 Core Courses

In order to proceed to candidacy, it is necessary to pass,or be exempted from (see Section 3.5), all of the corecourses listed below:

First semester (fall):

PHYS 525 (Methods of Theoretical Physics)

PHYS 530 (Theoretical Mechanics)

PHYS 561 (Quantum Mechanics 1)

PHYS 559 (Graduate Laboratory)

PHYS 590 (Current Research)

Second semester (spring):

PHYS 517 (Statistical Mechanics)

PHYS 557 (Electrodynamics I)

PHYS 562 (Quantum Mechanics 2)

PHYS 559 (Graduate Laboratory), if not taken inthe fall semester

PHYS 590 (Current Research)

See Section 4.1 for detailed descriptions of the courses.Students are strongly advised to fulfill this requirement assoon as possible to avoid delaying progress in the Ph.D.program. An overall course plan for the first year shouldbe developed in consultation with the mentoringcommittee, keeping in mind the requirements for

admission to candidacy for the Ph.D. degree given inSection 3.2.6.1.

The Graduate Laboratory, PHYS 559, is offered in bothsemesters but the capacity of the facilities is such thatonly half of the incoming class can sign up eachsemester; students should therefore register at the firstavailable opportunity. Appropriate courses a student hastaken at another university may be used to gainexemption from most of the required courses---seeSection 3.5. The exception is the PHYS 590 course oncurrent faculty research.

Occasionally, an incoming student will have inadequatepreparation in a particular area: for example, the lack of

an undergraduate quantum mechanics course which is aprerequisite for one of the core courses, Phys. 561(Quantum Mechanics I). In such cases, the student'smentoring committee may recommend that the studenttake certain undergraduate courses in their first year,which can delay completion of the Ph.D. degree. It shouldbe noted that such a student must nevertheless take theCandidacy Examination on the same schedule as therest of the incoming class, i.e., in the spring semester ofthe student's first year (see Section 3.2.6).


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3.2.3 Recommendations for advanced courses

Ph. D. candidates will either take, or be exempted from(see Section 3.5), at least four additional 3-credit, 500-level physics courses. (Graduate courses from otherdepartments may be substituted for some of the four ifthey are directly relevant to the students thesis and withthe written approval of the thesis adviser. Students should

consult with their mentoring committee in selecting thesecourses. They are strongly encouraged to take one ormore courses in a sub field of physics that is not their areaof specialization. Information on research areas ofpotential overlap with the student's sub field can beobtained from the mentoring committee, the Phys. 590course on current faculty research, and through informalinteraction with faculty, post docs, and graduate studentswho are already engaged in research. The weekly physicscolloquium (see Section 7.1) and department seminarsare a valuable source of information on current researchachievements of significance that span the breadth ofphysics. These are listed on the physics department webpage.

Although there are no official requirements on the choiceof advanced courses to be taken in the standard option,the student, in consultation with the mentoring committee,should ensure that course work directly relevant to his/herplanned thesis research has been covered. It should benoted that not all of the relevant advanced courses mightbe available to the student every calendar year, due todepartmental scheduling constraints. Modifications in anoptimal course plan may therefore be necessary, andshould be made in consultation with the studentsmentoring committee. In appropriate cases, a course ofrigorous independent study under the supervision of afaculty member may be used in place of an advancedcourse. Course scheduling information can be found on

the departmental web page.

Courses that are helpful for particular sub fields are:

Atomic Physics: 571 (Modern atomic physics),572 (Laser physics and quantum optics), 518(Critical Phenomena and Field Theory). 563(Quantum Field Theory I) and additional out-of-department courses may be helpful.

Condensed Matter Experiment: 512 and 513(Quantum theory of solids), 514 (Physics ofsurfaces, interfaces and thin films), 518 (CriticalPhenomena and Field Theory). 571 (Atomic,molecular and optical physics), 572 (Laser

physics and quantum electronics) may behelpful.

Condensed Matter Theory: 512 and 513(Quantum theory of solids), 518 (CriticalPhenomena and Field Theory), 527(Computational Physics), 563 (Quantum FieldTheory I). 564 (Quantum Field Theory II) and510 (General Relativity) may be helpful.

Elementary Particle Experiment: 541 (elementaryparticle phenomenology), 563 and 564 (Quantumfield theory I and II), 542 (Standard model ofelementary particle physics). 518 (CriticalPhenomena and Statistical Field Theory) and510 (General Relativity) may be helpful.

Elementary Particle Theory: 563 and 564(Quantum field theory), 541 (Elementary ParticlePhenomenology), 542 (Standard model ofelementary particle physics), and 510 (GeneralRelativity). 518 (Critical Phenomena andStatistical Field Theory) and 526 (Methods oftheoretical physics II) may be helpful.

Gravitational Physics: 510 and 511 (GeneralRelativity), 563 and 564 (Quantum field theory),565 (Interface of general relativity and quantumphysics), 545 (Cosmology), or 526 (Methods ofTheoretical Physics II). 518 (Critical Phenomenaand Statistical Field Theory) may be helpful.

PHYS 527 (Computational Physics) will be useful to manystudents irrespective of sub field.

Sample plans are given on page 18 and in Section 3.2.5and should be used in consultation with the studentsmentoring committee.

There is no actual minimum on the number of creditsneeded for a Ph.D. degree, as opposed to requirementson courses taken, as described above. Mostappointments in the department are designated half-timegraduate assistants. A half-time graduate assistant atPenn State can take a minimum of 9 and a maximum of12 credits per semester. Quarter-time assistants can takeup to 14 credits per semester. Students must consult with

the Director of Graduate Studies if the number of creditsthey are taking in a given semester is not consistent withthese guidelines.

3.2.4 Courses Outside of the PhysicsDepartment

The graduate programs at Penn State span a wide rangeof different specialties, and even students who choose thestandard option may need to take one or more out-of-department courses (see Section 4.2). Information onsuch courses may be obtained from mentoringcommittees, research advisers, the Graduate DegreePrograms Bulletin, or other departmental web pages. TheGraduate Research Exhibition and the Science Seminars

(see Section 7.2) are additional sources of information onout-of-department research specialties. Out-of-departmentcourses are also an opportunity to acquaint the studentwith a faculty member outside of physics who may laterserve on the students doctoral committee.

While courses outside the Physics Department can forman important component of a students graduateeducation, it is extremely important that a student consultswith his or her mentoring committee or research adviser


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before taking courses outside the department. Thisconsultation will insure that the schedule remainscompatible with departmental course requirements and isfurthering progress toward a physics degree. Students arerequired to notify their adviser (or mentoring committee) ifthey intend to take courses outside the PhysicsDepartment. Notification will be made by presenting the

adviser with a completed registration adjustment(drop/add) form (available from the department office),which the adviser must sign to acknowledge that he orshe has been notified. The form must then besubmittedto the graduate coordinator. The adviser will beresponsible for informing the student if such courses areinterfering with progress toward the Ph.D. If they dointerfere with progress toward the Ph.D., taking suchcourses may be considered grounds for losing support.

3.2.5 Sample Course Plan

The information in this section should be taken asguidance in planning the student's course works inconsultation with the student's mentoring committee. Up-

to-date information on the scheduling of courses can befound on the department's web page. Since the number ofstudents requiring an advanced graduate course islimited, not all of them can be offered every year. Coursesoffered every year are:

Core graduate courses (fall only): 525, 530, 561;

Core graduate courses (spring only): 517, 557,562;

Core graduate courses offered both fall andspring: 559 and 590;

Intermediate graduate courses: Condensed

Matter: 512--513; Elementary Particles: 563--564; Gravity: 510.

Computational Physics: 527.

The courses that may only be available once every twoyears:

Condensed Matter: 514, 518, 524.

Elementary Particle: 541, 542.

Gravity: 511, 565

Atomic, Molecular and Optical Physics: 571, 572.

Mathematical Physics: 526 (Methods ofTheoretical Physics II).

Special Topics: 597

In the case that any of the courses is not offered (forexample, because of too low an enrollment), there may bethe possibility of taking a rigorous independent studiescourse on the same material as a replacement.

Advanced courses that can only be offered in alternateyears may, for example, be scheduled as shown in Table1. The hypothetical four-semester sequence has beendesignated (even, odd), beginning in the Fall of an evenyear. For a student who is unable to obtain anyexemptions due to prior work and has taken the fullsequence of core courses, the four-semester advanced

course sequence will be taken in the third and fourthyears in their Ph.D. program. The student will take the up-to-date course scheduling information from the physicsdepartment web page.

Appropriate course plans for the graduate student, giventhe four-semester course schedule listed above, are givenin Tables 2 and 3. They apply to a graduate studententering in the Fall of an even year who does not obtainany exemptions due to prior work. Due to the limitedcapacity of the graduate laboratory, only half the incomingclass can take 559 in the Fall semester. 590 must betaken both semesters of the first year. For studentsentering in the fall of the odd year, years 3 and 4 would bereversed. A student with no exemptions will typically take

the four-semester sequence of advanced courses in theirthird and fourth years in the Ph.D. program.Experimentalists will typically take fewer courses thantheorists in their third and fourth years. Elementaryparticle experimentalists are encouraged to complete 541and 563 in their second year, followed by 542 and 564 assoon as possible since they may need to be away fromcampus at their experiments. CM and AMOexperimentalists may find out-of-department coursesespecially helpful (see Section 4.2). These courses shouldbe chosen in consultation with their mentoring committeeor research adviser.

3.2.6 Admission to Ph.D. Candidacy

The departments candidacy committee evaluates eachstudents first year academic record at the end of theSpring semester of the first year, to determine whether thestudent should be officially admitted to Ph.D. candidacy.The candidacy committee (normally) consists of fivemembers of the department, at least two of whom areexperimentalists not in the same sub-field and two ofwhom are theorists not in the same sub-field. Exemptionsfrom the candidacy requirements are only offered inexceptional circumstances (see Section 3.5.2).

3.2.6.1 Candidacy Requirements

Admission to Ph.D. candidacy is granted to those

candidates that the candidacy committee considers tohave a knowledge of basic physics suitable for aprofessional physicist. Its evaluation is based on the entirefirst year record. This includes the candidacy examination(see Section 3.2.6.3), grades in all courses taken in thefirst year, performance in teaching and research, and anyother relevant information brought to the attention of thecandidacy committee.

Sufficient requirements for admission to Ph.D. candidacyare:


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Successful performance in the CandidacyExamination, of which details are given inSection 3.2.6.3.

A grade of B or better in all the core courses.Students who have taken equivalent coursework

at other universities may be exempted from thisrequirement for some or all of the core coursesas outlined in section 3.5.

Note that performance on the course work is asimportant as performance on the candidacy exam.

3.2.6.2 Procedures, etc.

When the spring candidacy exam has been graded,students will be advised of their performance in writing(about two weeks after the examination). Severaloutcomes are possible:

Admission to candidacy, contingent onsatisfactory completion of the requiredcoursework.

A student needs to retake the examination in thefall, or to address deficiencies in thecoursework, or both.

A student may be advised to consider leavingthe program. This would result from sufficientlypoor performance over the whole of the firstyear.

In borderline cases, the final decision on the exact actionto be taken may be deferred until spring semester grades

are available. Students will be advised in detail of theirsituation and are encouraged to discuss their situationwith their mentoring committee and the Director ofGraduate Studies.

In the case of poor course performance, it is theresponsibility of the student to meet with the relevantcourse instructor as soon as possible to decide whatremedial work will allow the student to meet the standardof a B grade in the relevant course, or whether a retakeof the course is needed. In the case that remedial worksuffices, the instructor will evaluate this work and notifythe Director of Graduate Studies in writing before the endof the first week of the following fall semester.

In the case of students who are given the opportunity toremedy deficiencies, the Candidacy Committee willreevaluate the students at the beginning of the Fallsemester. Note that a student who does not pass thecandidacy examination may still have the option ofworking towards a M.S degree---see Section 3.4 ---although this is not recommended in all cases.

It is the responsibility of every graduatestudent, in consultation with their mentoring

committee, to ensure that they satisfy therequirements for admission to Candidacy.


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Sample Tables:

Table 1: Sample schedule for advanced physics coursesEven Year (Fall) Odd Year (Spring)

Quantum Gravity (565)Critical Phenomena (518)Particle Phenomenology (541)

Standard Model (542)Semiconductors and Devices (524Adv. Topics General Relativity (511)

Odd Year (Fall) Even Year (Spring)Atomic, Molecular and Optical Physics (571)Computational Physics (527)Surfaces, Interfaces, Thin Films (514)

Methods of Theoretical Physics (526)Laser physics & Quantum Electronics (572)

Table 2: Sample 4-semester course sequence for theoristsYear Fall Spring1 525, 530, 561, (559), 590 517, 557, 562, (559), 5902 3 of 510, 512, 563, 518/541 2-3 of 511, 513, 542, 5643 1-2 of 518/541, 565, other 1-2 of 511, 524, 542,564, other4 1-2 of 514, 527, 571, other 1 of 526, 533, 572, other

Table 3: Sample 4-semester course sequence for experimentalistsYear Fall Spring1 525, 530, 561, (559), 590 517, 557, 562, (559), 5902 2-3 of 510, 512, 518, 541, 563 1-3 of 511, 513, 542, 564, other3 1 of 514, 527, 571, other. 1 of 526, 533, 572, other.


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3.2.6.3 Candidacy Examination

The Candidacy Examination is given twice a year in thespring and fall semesters.

In each case, the examination takes place in two three-hour sessions (morning and afternoon), and is composedof a total of about eight questions covering the core areasof physics traditionally included in the undergraduatecurriculum.

Mechanics (including Special Relativity).

Quantum Mechanics.

Statistical Mechanics and Thermal Physics.

Electricity and Magnetism:

The exam tests fundamental understanding and masteryof basic physical concepts. The level of knowledgeneeded is primarily that of undergraduate physics at alllevels, but with a level of performance appropriate for a

graduate student. A detailed description of theexamination including sample questions and a list ofrepresentative textbooks is available from the Graduatecoordinator. Note carefully that passing this examinationforms only a subset of the requirements for Ph.D.candidacy---see Section 3.2.6.1.

All entering students are required to take the examinationwhen it is given in the fall semester. A student whoperforms exceptionally well on this examination will beconsidered to have satisfied the examination portion ofthe procedure for admission to candidacy. All other first-year students will need to take the examination in thespring semester; their performance on the firstexamination will be ignored in the candidacy decision.

Approximately two weeks after the spring examination,the candidacy committee will report its evaluation of thefirst-year students, as explained in Section 3.2.6.1. Thosestudents who are asked to retake the examination by theCandidacy Committee will need to do so at the beginningof the next fall semester.

3.2.6.4 Delay of Candidacy Exam

In general, students must complete the requirements forcandidacy by the end of their first year. However, uponthe recommendation of the student's mentoringcommittee, a student with inadequate undergraduate

preparation can petition the Director of Graduate Studiesto delay taking the candidacy exam for one year, to allowthe completion of remedial course work. The Director ofGraduate Studies will consult with the CandidacyCommittee before granting such a delay.

3.2.7 Research

3.2.7.1 Finding an adviser

It is a student's responsibility to find a research adviser.One aim of requiring students to take the 590 course is toensure that they become acquainted with currentresearch. Students should speak with faculty in whoseresearch they are interested and find out about thepossibilities of working with these faculty. Students arestrongly encouraged to find a research adviser by the endof the summer after the first year. This adviser will replacethe mentoring committee, and will be polled twice a yearby e-mail as to whether students are making satisfactoryprogress toward a degree. If a student has not yet foundan adviser by the beginning of the second year, theDirector of Graduate Studies will act as that studentsinterim adviser.

Second year students having difficulty finding a researchadviser should consult with the Director of GraduateStudies. The Director of Graduate Studies will assist such

students in finding a research area, with the goal thatevery student has a research adviser before the end ofthe spring semester of the second year.

3.2.7.2 Adviser outside the department

It is possible to obtain a Ph.D. in physics while doingresearch under the supervision of an adviser outside ofthe physics department. This has happened in the areasof materials science, chemistry, mathematics, andastronomy and astrophysics. Approval of research underan outside adviser is not automatic, but will depend onindividual circumstances. The research must still beclassifiable as physics. If a graduate student is interestedin working with a faculty member from outside the physicsdepartment towards a physics Ph.D. degree he/she has topetition the graduate program committee for approval todo so. If approved by the graduate program committee, itis expected that the adviser from outside the departmentwill provide support for the student; for such students, it isdepartmental policy not to provide support as a teachingassistant.

Note that assistantship support from the PhysicsDepartment and status as a physics graduate studentwill be terminated if the student is not workingtowards a physics degree.

3.2.7.3 Change of adviserSometimes a student will change advisers, for any of anumber of reasons, including a change of researchinterests.


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3.2.8 Thesis Commi ttee

With advice from his/her adviser, a Ph.D. student shouldlocate four or more Penn State faculty members who willbe willing to serve on the students doctoral committee.This committee is responsible for the general guidance ofa doctoral candidate. Normally, the students adviser isone of the committee members. The committee has tohave at least two members from within the student's majorfield (i.e., physics), and at least one member from outsidethe department. If the candidate has a minor field (e.g.,education), then the committee must have a member fromthat field

See the University's Graduate Degree Programs Bulletinfor more detailed rules.

The committee gives the comprehensive examination andthe thesis defense, and it is responsible for approving thethesis.

3.2.9 Comprehensive ExaminationThe comprehensive examination should normally betaken a year after the candidacy examination. It is an oralexam given before the students thesis committee. Thenormal format is that the student will present a seminar ofabout 30 minutes in duration on his/her current or futureresearch. This seminar should be pedagogically oriented,stressing the fundamentals and context of the generalarea of research. While the seminar may consist in part ofa summary of personal research results, thecomprehensive exam should not be delayed because ofthe absence of such results. For example, the seminarmay simply be a review of a certain area of research.Thus it is not necessary that a specific research programbe proposed.

After the seminar, there will be an oral examination on theresearch area and on related core areas in physics. Theaim of the examination is to establish that the student hasan appropriate level of expertise to continue with theresearch part of the Ph.D. program.

In addition, the student should prepare a written summaryof his/her current research and give a copy to each of themembers of the committee at least one week before theexamination. The summary should be about 1-2 pages inlength. If the student has not yet started research, thissummary should be of the material presented in theseminar part of the examination.

The committee will establish the general areas of thequestions for the oral part of the examination. The thesisadviser should communicate this decision to the student.Particular research groups may have a written policy onwhat subject matter a student should be proficient in atthe comprehensive examination. A student preparing forthe comprehensive examination should consult his/heradviser and the members of the committee on this issue.Three weeks' notice to the Graduate School is requiredfor scheduling the examination.

3.2.10 After the Comprehensive Exam

After passing the comprehensive exam, the student willsubmit to the Ph.D. committee on an annual basisa 1--2page report on his/her research progress over theintervening year. The research adviser will send a copy ofthis report, together with a brief assessment of theprogress, to the Graduate Program Director.

If a student is supported by the department as a teachingassistant (TA), adequate progress in research is aprerequisite for continued support. (Of course, a TAsperformance in teaching will also have to be satisfactory.)TA support beyond the fifth year in graduate school will begranted only with the approval of the Department Head.

3.2.11 Thesis for Ph.D.

A doctoral thesis is an account of a significant contributionto knowledge in the subject made by the candidate. Itshould be presented in a scholarly manner, document anability on the part of the candidate to do independentresearch of high quality, and show considerable

experience in using a variety of research techniques.

A Thesis Information is available and contains detailsabout format, paper, and other requirementshttp://www.gradsch.psu.edu/current/thesis.html. TheThesis Office is in 115 Kern Building, 865-5448. Inaddition, you may wish to consult with fellow graduatestudents. They may have useful tips on using wordprocessors and typesetting programs (e.g., TeX andLaTeX) to get one's thesis in the correct format. See alsohttp://www.esm.psu.edu/psuthesis/ for a package andtemplate for using LaTeX for a Penn State thesis.

In addition there are two courses that students may taketo assist them in the writing of their thesis --- see Section

4.4.

It is common in physics that much of the work in a Ph.D.thesis will have been published in research journals oraccepted for publication before the thesis is written. Thethesis might then be based on the published papers, butexpanded, for example. The papers need not have thestudent as the sole author.

When a complete draft of the thesis is available, thestudent should submit it to the Thesis Office for formatreview. After the students thesis committee approves thethesis, a final archival copy should be given to thedepartment. This will then reside in the library.

3.2.11.1 Thesis Defense (Final oralexamination)

When the thesis is complete, a thesis defense isarranged, before the students doctoral committee. Threeweeks' notice to the Office of Graduate Programs isneeded for the scheduling of the examination, and thestudent should give a copy of the thesis to each memberof the committee at least one week before the defense.
http://www.gradsch.psu.edu/current/thesis.htmlhttp://www.gradsch.psu.edu/current/thesis.htmlhttp://www.esm.psu.edu/psuthesis/http://www.esm.psu.edu/psuthesis/http://www.esm.psu.edu/psuthesis/http://www.gradsch.psu.edu/current/thesis.html


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The defense consists of an oral presentation of the thesis,followed by a period of questions and responses. Thequestions will mostly relate to the thesis but may cover thecandidate's whole program of study. The portion of theexamination in which the thesis is presented is open tothe public.

If a candidate fails, it is the responsibility of the doctoralcommittee to determine whether another examination maybe taken.

3.3 M.S. Program

There are two options for the Master of Science (M.S.)degree: (a) non-thesis option and (b) thesis option. Readthe requirements carefully to see which applies.

For all M.S. degrees, Penn State requires a minimum of30 graduate credits and 3.00 GPA. For this purpose,graduate credits may include certain courses withnumbers 400-499.

3.3.1 Summary of Typical M.S.It should be noted that the required courses and the firstpart of the program are very similar to that of the Ph.D.

First the student will take the required corecourses covering the main areas of physics. Thistypically takes one year. During this time thestudent will be under the guidance of amentoring committee' of 3 faculty members.

For the standard M.S., there are two options: towrite a thesis based on original research, or totake 6 credits of 500 level physics coursesbeyond the core ones and to write a paper.

Subject to the approval of the adviser and the head of thedepartment, a student may register for research to bedone away from the University Park campus. In thePhysics Department, this frequently happens for studentsin elementary particle experiments who are working on anexperiment at a national laboratory.

There is no departmental foreign language requirement,although a reading knowledge of one foreign languagemay be needed in some areas of research. (Generally,physics research reported in journals and at conferencesis given in English.)

3.3.2 Courses for Standard M.S.

For a Physics M.S., it is necessary to pass the followingcourses:

PHYS 530 (Theoretical Mechanics)

PHYS 557 (Electrodynamics I)

PHYS 559 (Graduate Laboratory)

Either PHYS 561 (Quantum Mechanics 1) orPHYS 410 (Quantum Mechanics) in theundergraduate curriculum.

For the non-thesis option, 6 credits of 500 levelphysics courses are required beyond the coreones listed above.

Appropriate courses a student has taken at anotheruniversity may be used to gain exemption from most ofthese required courses---see Section 3.5.

Normally, incoming students take the core courses for thePh.D. ---see Section 3.2.2.

3.3.3 Research

The information in Section 3.2.7, concerning researchdone for a Ph.D., is applicable with minor changes tostudents who are doing research for a thesis for an M.S.degree.

3.3.4 PaperThis is less formal than a thesis. It will be prepared underthe supervision of a faculty member. If a student does notwrite a thesis for the master's degree, a paper must bewritten.

The content of the paper should be either an account oforiginal research done by the student or a review of anarea of research. The research or the review will havebeen done under the supervision of a faculty member aspart of the M.S. program. A paper published in a regular

journal is acceptable. Otherwise the paper should bewritten in a similar style to a journal article; it shouldrepresent a substantial piece of work, which will normallyresult in a length of at least 15 pages (with normalspacing).

3.3.5 Thesis for M.S.

For those students whose M.S. program entails a thesis,the requirements differ from the Ph.D. thesis in that theMasters thesis is based on a smaller amount of researchwork. A full-blown oral defense and final examination isnot required. The thesis must be accepted by thestudents thesis committee in order for it to count to thedegree. You must follow the Masters Approval pagefound at the Graduate Schools Thesis Information Page.

3.4 M.Ed. Program

At least 18 credits in physics are required, of which up to6 credits may be for research, and 6 additional non-research science credits (which may be in physics). Thecandidate is required to earn 6 credits in education asdirected by the faculty of one of the approved graduateprograms in professional education. A thesis or termpaper must be submitted and accepted by thedepartment. The requirements of the Graduate Schoolregarding a thesis must be met. Follow the departmentrequirements regarding the masters paper, including


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Complex variables; complex-analytic functions;Laurent expansions; contour integration.

Finite and infinite dimensional vector spaces;Hermitian structures; Hilbert spaces.

Linear operators and their properties; self-adjointoperators; eigenvalues and eigen-vectors;unitary operators.

Calculus of variations and its application toclassical mechanics and classical field theory. Fourier series; Fourier integrals and their

properties; applications to differential equations;distributions; Green's functions.

Differential equations that occur commonly inphysics; special functions; orthonormality andcompleteness.

PHYS 526Methods of Theoretical Physics II (3 credits)Prerequisite: PHYS 525

Elements of general group theory; finite groups;subgroups; normal subgroups and quotients.

Lie algebras; examples of infinitesimal

symmetries in physics. Manifolds, vector fields and forms; Lie

derivatives; metrics. Lie groups; detailed treatment of SU(n); basic

representation theory. Applications to condensed matter and particle

physics.

PHYS 527Computational Physics (3 credits)

Introduction to computational methods;numerical methods; Monte-Carlo simulations andtheir applications to condensed matter and high-energy physics.

Applications to condensed matter physics:

statistical mechanical models, criticalphenomena; simulations of electronic propertiesof solids.

Hydrodynamics: problems in wave phenomena,applications to acoustics and astrophysics.

Gravitational physics: algebraic manipulations,solving Einstein's equations on a computer;applications to cosmology and black holephysics.

PHYS 530Theoretical Mechanics (3 credits)Prerequisite: PHYS 419 or equivalent

Newtonian mechanics; inertial and non-inertialsystems; central force problems; conservationlaws.

Lagrangians; action principle; equations ofmotion; symmetries and conservation laws;perturbations around solutions; small oscillations.

Legendre transform; phase space; Poissonbrackets, canonical transformations;Hamiltonians; generators of symmetries;Hamilton-Jacobi theory.

Elements of the modern theory of dynamicalsystems.

PHYS 533Theoretical Acoustics (3 credits)Prerequisite: PHYS 525 or equivalent.

Euler equations (no viscosity); acoustics for anideal Euler fluid (no thermal conductance).

Special problems; spherical and piston sources;

Helmholtz resonator. Navier-Stokes equations; viscous and thermal

penetration depths. Acoustics of a Navier-Stokes' fluid; bulk

attenuation, boundary attenuation; sphericalresonator.

Superfluids; acoustics of superfluids; first sound--fifth sound; Doppler shift.

Wave propagation in random media; fractals,long wavelength---Biot equation; shortwavelength---Anderson localization; acoustics ofPenrose tilings.

Acoustic imaging; medical imaging; non-destructive testing; geophysical survey; acousticmicroscopy; acoustic holography.

PHYS 541 Elementary Particle Phenomenology (3credits)Prerequisite: PHYS 562

Baryons and mesons; properties; isospinsymmetry; stability and decay channels;resonances.

Leptons and quarks; elementary properties; needfor color; baryons and mesons from quarks;three generations; experimental data.

Weak interactions; radioactive decays and theirproperties; qualitative treatment of the gaugeprinciple; unification of electromagnetic and weakinteractions.

Quantum chromodynamics; basic ideas;discussion of experimental results; qualitativetreatment of confinement and asymptoticfreedom.

Experimental techniques used in contemporaryhigh energy physics.

PHYS 542Standard Model of Elementary Particle Physics(3 credits)Prerequisite: PHYS 564

A detailed treatment of unification of the standard modelof elementary particles;

Yang-Mills theory for gauge groups SU(2) X U(1)and SU(3).

Spontaneous symmetry breaking phenomenon,Goldstone theorem, Higgs particles, gaugeinvariant mechanisms for generating particlemasses.

Quantum chromodynamics; phenomenology;ideas from lattice gauge theory; confinement andasymptotic freedom.

Grand unified theories: basic ideas andconfrontation with experiments; proton decay.


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Selected topics from modern theory.

PHYS 545 Cosmology (3 credits) cross-listed withASTRO 545Prerequisite: None

Cosmology is the scientific study of the universe as a

whole: its physical contents, principal physical processes,and evolution through time. Modern cosmology, whichbegan in the early 20th century, is undergoing arenaissance as a precision science as powerful ground-and space-based telescopes allow us to observe theformation of the first starts, galaxies and galaxy clusters;the echoes of the inflationary epoch as they areimpressed upon the cosmic microwave background; andevidence for and clues to the nature of the mysteriousdark energ

graduate handbook physics

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