The Ph.D. degree is awarded for the demonstration of advanced and critical knowledge of physics, the completion of an original research project, and the satisfactory defense of a thesis reporting and interpreting this work. The Ph.D. is typically earned in a period of four to six years of graduate study. Advanced standing may be granted to students admitted to the Ph.D. program who hold a master's degree in physics or an appropriate discipline.
Most students participate in the departmental teaching program during their first year.
This is viewed as an important component of the student's professional training. The University is committed to help non-native English speaking students improve their communications skills, and has formalized several programs to achieve this goal. With the help of a faculty advisor, students choose a curriculum of course work from among a large array of offerings in physics and related science and engineering departments. The University requires a total of 36 hours of course work for students entering with a bachelor's degree, or 18 hours of course work for those students entering with a master's degree. Most students normally complete their course work with a reduced course load during their second and third years.