Physics Graduate Student Handbook

1. Pass Physics 519 (Experimental Techniques in Physics), and twelve credits of Survey Courses
2. Pass 5 out of 6 parts of the Comprehensive Field Examination by the beginning of the sixth semester. See rule on passing 3 sections by the beginning of the third semester in Exams
3. Choose a research advisor, a research committee, a research topic, and finally a dissertation committee. Maintain regular communications with your advisor and research committee.  You can start research before you have completed the Comprehensive Exam.
4. Pass an Oral Qualifying Exam to be judged by the research committee.
5. Obtain a "skills" certificate which attests to proficiency in a computer language, an appropriate foreign language, or some other special skill related to physics research.
6. Spend two semesters as a full-time student, completing at least 24 credit hours, OR spend two semesters as a Graduate Assistant/Fellow, completing at least 18 credit hours.  Full-time Graduate Assistants should not be employed outside the University.
7. Apply for "candidacy" as soon as steps 4, 5, and 6 are completed, and a satisfactory academic record is achieved. Candidacy should precede graduation by at least one semester.
8. Submit 60 graduate course credits with a 'B' average or better plus 1 credit of physics 899 (doctoral dissertation). At least half the Credits must be completed at the University at Albany, and Physics 519 cannot be transferred.
9. Write and defend in public a dissertation before a dissertation committee within 8 years of starting the Ph.D. Program.

Overview of M.S. Requirements

Master's students have a variety of different goals.  Two different sequences exist, for those students who choose to write a Master's thesis, or who wish to pass a portion of the exam in lieu of a thesis.  Some students begin their graduate study intending to stop at a Master's degree, and then decide they enjoy graduate study and continue to the doctoral program.  Some students begin the doctoral program, decide they don't enjoy graduate study, and opt for a Master's degree and a real paying job instead. 

1: Pass Physics 519 (Experimental Techniques in Physics) and physics 680 (Seminar in Physics).

2A: Pass 3 out of 6 parts of the Comprehensive Field Examination by the beginning of the sixth Semester.

              OR

2B: Write and defend in public a Master's thesis before a thesis committee within 6 years. This requires that a studen

i) Choose a research advisor, and research committee, a research topic, and finally a thesis committee. Maintain Communications with the research committee.

        ii) Take Master's Thesis in Physics (Physics 699) for 2 to 6 credits.

        iii) Make sure a "Master's Major Field Exam" certificate has been submitted by the Physics Department.

3: Submit 30 graduate course credits with a 'B' average or better, of which at least 18 credits must be in physics. The non-physics credits should be in science or math or computer science. Up to 6 credits may be transferred from other Universities. Physics 519 and 680 cannot be transferred. Students in the combined BS-MS program can apply up to 12 graduate credits to both degrees. You should clear your BS degree in the first semester that you exceed 120 credits.

4: Obtain a "skills" certificate that attests to proficiency in a computer language, an appropriate foreign language, or some other special skill related to physics research.

Exceptions

Some of the requirements described in this handbook are set in stone. Others are not. If you have a special problem, discuss it with your advisor, the Graduate Studies Committee, or the Department Chair. Someone may be able to help. Rules described in the Graduate Bulletin are generally Official University Policy which cannot be ignored.

Communication

It is really important to keep in touch. Department personnel are here to help, and informal discussions are encouraged.

A student's progress must be properly documented. You should inform the department when you choose your advisor, research topic, and research committee. The passing of exams, skill requirements, etc. should be promptly reported to the University. Make sure your records are accurate and up to date.

Research can isolate a student. Regular communications with your research committee can generate new ideas, avoid errors, and help you see a broader scope of physics. Graduate students learn a great deal by talking with each other. You are also encouraged to attend the Physics Department colloquia that are usually held on Friday.

Graduate Studies Committee

The Graduate Studies Committee oversees the graduate program. Its regular members are physics faculty and graduate students. Its responsibilities include:

i) Addressing graduate student problems and complaints.

ii) Monitoring the graduate curriculum.

iii) Granting transfer credits.

iv) Advising the Physics Department Chair on admissions,assistantships, fellowships, summer stipends, disputes, discipline, etc.

The Physics Department Chair has final authority on iv) above. The Chair is an ex- officio member of the Graduate Studies Committee.

Advisors

Each graduate student is initially assigned an "academic advisor". Later, the Ph.D. and Thesis-MS students work with a "research advisor". You and your prospective research advisor must agree that collaboration will be in your best interest. Students are encouraged to work on different research projects for short time periods before making final decisions about their research and advisor.

An academic advisor should be accessible, sympathetic, and helpful. A research advisor should possess these same virtues, and also offer the finest possible scientific guidance and support. If your advisor lacks any of these desirable qualities, or if you have changed your mind about your research interests, change advisors. The choice of research area and a style of advisement suited to your personality is more important than the risk of hurting an advisor's feelings.

Committees

Each student's research committee monitors the research and acts as the core of the dissertation or thesis committee for the final defense. For Ph.D. students, the research committee judges the Qualifying Exam. The dissertation or thesis committee consists of the research committee with additional members. It judges the final presentation for the Ph.D. or Thesis-MS degree. The committees are usually chaired by the research advisor. However, if the advisor is from outside the physics department, a physics department faculty member serves as chair. You and your research advisor choose the committee members. Questions about appropriate members for these committees should be referred to the Graduate Studies Committee.

For these committees, a member from physics means only regular faculty. Outside the physics department means anyone without a regular physics faculty appointment.

Exams

The Comprehensive Field Exam is comprised of six separate two-hour exams. They are given at the beginning of the spring and fall semesters. You may need to take some sections of the exam several times before you pass them. The six-semester deadline for passing applies whether or not you take the exam, and you can pass different sections of the exam at different times. For special cases, such as part-time or non-degree students, deadlines for passing the exam will be determined by the Graduate Studies Committee on a case-by-case basis.

The Oral Qualifying Exam is a public seminar followed by questions from the public and members of your research committee. This exam allows a student to demonstrate his ability to understand scientific literature and present it to a general audience. The topic of the Qualifying Exam, which is chosen in consultation with your research advisor, should not be closely related to your Ph.D. research area. Typically, a student should take no more than four weeks preparing for this exam.

Courses

Students without teaching assistantships should take at least 12 credits a semester (including undergraduate courses) to be considered full time students. (Students with teaching assistantships should take 9 credits per semester.) This is particularly important for International students to maintaint their student status. If there are any questions, international students should verify their status with the International Student Office.

CORE COURSES

Physics 899 (doctoral dissertation). Students who have advanced to doctoral candidacy are considered full time if they take one credit of this course. At least one credit is required the last semester before graduation.  It can be taken more than once.

Survey Courses

The successful completion of twelve graduate "survey course" credits is required for the Ph.D. The credits must satisfy the following conditions:

A total of 3 credits may be counted for courses given by the mathematics, computer science, or another science department at the University at Albany. These courses should have some relevance to physics. In particular, computer science courses must emphasize numerical analysis. Non-physics course choices must be approved by the Graduate Studies Committee.

Assistantships and Fellowships

Graduate Assistantships or Fellowships are awarded to students in the Ph.D. program. Students with Assistantships and Fellowships can obtain tuition waivers by submitting the appropriate forms. United States citizens must become New York State residents to be eligible for waivers on a continuing basis.

Students with Assistantships must satisfactorily complete 9 credits per semester in order to be considered full-time. The tuition waiver associated with a teaching assistantship will not cover more credits than this. The tuition waiver will not cover undergraduate courses. Graduate Assistantships can be either Teaching Assistantships (State funding), or Research Assistantships (External funding). In many cases, a student changes from a Teaching Assistant to a Research Assistant after becoming involved with a funded research project. Typically, teaching assistants will direct undergraduate labs, serve as tutors, help with the administering and grading of exams, or grade problem sets.

Graduate Assistantships are not a form of permanent employment. Teaching Assistantships will be terminated after four years.  Assistantships can be terminated for other reasons, like failing to perform the required teaching duties.  A Teaching Assistantship is expected to require approximately 20 hours per week, on average, throughout the semester.

Dissertation or Thesis

The final step to the Ph.D. or Thesis-M.S. is the submission of a written dissertation or thesis to the appropriate committee, followed by a public presentation and defense. The dissertation or thesis must be approved by the research advisor, a majority of the committee, a majority of the physics department members of the committee, the department chair, and the Dean of Graduate Studies.

A dissertation or thesis reports the results of a substantial research effort. The committee reading this work deserves at least two weeks to review its contents. The thesis or dissertation must satisfy University requirements regarding preparation and submission. This information is available at the Graduate Admissions office.Writing a good dissertation or thesis is more difficult and more time consuming than one ever imagines. Don't assume it can be done in a month.

Conflict of interest

Students with assistantships are expected not to have other jobs, even part time jobs, sales for commisions, etc. Students with jobs are expected to resign their assistantships. Small amounts of tutoring in physics (for money) is generally allowed. More details on conflict of interest are available from the University.

Non-degree students and leaves of absence

Students may be admitted into "non-degree" or degree. programs. Non-degree students who wish to work for a degree, and MS students who want to work for a Ph.D. must apply to the Office of Graduate Studies for admission into the appropriate program. Non-degree students can transfer no more than 12 credits to their degree program.

c.macdonald@albany.edu 

Please send questions or comments to: physics@albany.edu