Program of Study

The graduate physics program at Notre Dame offers students a broad range of choice of research areas for a Ph.D. degree. Almost all areas of study in physics are represented within the department, including astrophysics, biophysics, atomic, condensed-matter, high-energy, nuclear, and statistical physics. The program combines course work and research, preparing the student for a career in university, industrial, or governmental research or in college or university teaching. Students take a sequence of basic courses in the fundamental areas of physics. In addition, the student will take advanced courses and seminars in specialized areas. Students join in a physics research program of the department within the first year.

The graduate program is primarily a doctoral program, leading to the degree of doctor of philosophy. The department ordinarily will not accept students who plan to complete only the master’s degree. However, a program leading to the degree of master of science is available; it involves satisfactory completion of graduate course work and a master’s comprehensive examination. There is no thesis requirement for the master’s degree.

Requirements for the Ph.D. include 36 credit hours in courses and research. The following is the schedule for most physics graduate students for the first two years of graduate study:

Three physics electives are required, typically chosen among the set consisting of astrophysics, atomic physics, condensed matter physics, elementary particle physics, and nuclear physics (PHYS 70201, 80301, 80501, 80601, 80701, respectively). Students who enter with advanced standing will follow a modified schedule and generally will take at least three 3-credit classes per semester until the core curriculum requirements are met.

Bulletin descriptions of the required courses is available at: http://graduateschool.nd.edu/pdf/bulletin.0708.pdf

Required Examinations

In addition to course work, there are three examinations to be passed for a Ph.D., a written qualifying examination on undergraduate physics, a written and oral Ph.D. candidacy examination, and an oral Ph.D. dissertation defense. Students first take the qualifying examination in the fall of their first year, and must pass it by the end of the second year. The candidacy examination is typically taken in the third year, after course work is complete. In this exam, the candidate must present a research proposal, demonstrate the ability to perform the proposed research, and show a broad understanding of physics. The post-candidacy student then concentrates on research, and generally writes a doctoral dissertation within three years of the candidacy examination. A dissertation is required and must be approved by the student’s doctoral committee and defended orally by the student at the final examination, the Ph.D. defense.

Good Standing

To remain in good standing, students are required to maintain a 3.0 grade point average, to pass the qualifying examination by the end of the second year, to pass the candidacy examination by the end of the fourth year, and to complete the Ph.D. degree program by the end of the eighth year. The minimum residence requirement for the Ph.D. degree is four consecutive semesters and may include summer session.

Financial Assistance

Doctoral students typically receive tuition and stipend support. Many hold academic-year teaching assistantships, averaging 15 hours of time per week. Graduate students are not required to teach in the classroom. During the summer, most students hold research assistantships.

A variety of fellowships are available to first-year physics graduate students on a competitive basis. Schmitt fellowships cover years one and four; University fellowships typically cover year one, but also have been awarded to students in recent years as a dissertation-year fellowship. The Schmitt fellowships provide twelve months of support, and the University fellowships provide nine. All fellowship holders have no teaching duties in the department.

Research assistantships also provide eleven months of support with no teaching duties and are awarded as funds are available from external research contracts.

Admission

Applicants who have the ability and intention to become candidates for the Ph.D. degree are considered for admission. At present, there are about ninety graduate students in physics. Entering graduate students are selected based on their academic record, their scores on the Graduate Record Examination (both the General Test and the Subject Test) and the recommendations of scientists who are acquainted with their undergraduate work. All incoming graduate students are interviewed to determine their preparation for graduate physics work and to assist in planning their course work.

Apply Online

Completed applications must be submitted by February 1 for the fall semester, or November 1 for the spring semester. Applicants are encouraged complete and submit the online application for graduate admission, available at: http://graduateschool.nd.edu/html/admissions/index.html

Prospective students will find more information here.