In addition, students are required to pass a qualifying examination based on the department's five introductory courses, a comprehensive examination covering all of the required courses, and a final examination covering the students' research areas. Students must select approved electives from physics, mathematics and statistics, or other departments with the consent of their advisors. Research tools Research courses may count as electives. Although publication is not required, the dissertation project must be worthy of publication. PHYS 730 Doctoral Dissertation - 15 hrs.
Doctoral fellowships are available to academically gifted students.
Research assistantships are also available. Applications for assistantship financial aid may be obtained from the department or from the internet and are due March 1 for the fall semester. Information about other assistantships and fellowships, as well as about special assistance for minority graduate students, tuition grants, and research funds may be obtained from The Graduate College. Information about student loans and other federal, state, and University need-based financial aid programs may be obtained from the Office of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships. The application deadline for most WMU fellowships, doctoral associateships, Thurgood Marshall assistantships, professional tuition grants, and other financial assistance is February 15 .