Graduate Education: Program Overview
A typical graduate student seeking a Ph.D. in Physics or in Physics and Astronomy would follow a path like this:
- Learn about the fundamentals of physics and astronomy in formal courses, and about current research activities in seminars and colloquia and through personal contact with faculty
- Learn to teach physics and/or astronomy by serving as a teaching assistant
- Demonstrate proficiency in the fundamentals of physics in the preliminary examination
- Join a research group
- Demonstrate proficiency in a specialty area, and a capability for performing research, by passing the qualifying examination
- Conduct research, write and publish articles describing the work, and identify as soon as possible a specific thesis subject that would require independent and original work that could be included in a dissertation
- Write and defend a dissertation, a substantial and original contribution to knowledge in physics or astronomy
It usually takes 4-6 years to travel this path. Along the way, one gradually masters a research specialty, and develops into a professional scientist: an independent and critical thinker, capable both of conceiving and conducting innovative research programs that advance the frontiers of physics or astronomy, and of disseminating the resulting knowledge widely and effectively.
You have been admitted to the University of Rochester Physics and Astronomy Ph.D. program because you have demonstrated the potential to develop into a scientist of high caliber. The Department will provide many research opportunities, and will do its best to maintain an environment in which you can realize your potential. Please keep in mind, however, that the factors most important for success in this endeavor are your own initiative, intelligence, creativity, and capacity for hard work.