Every attempt is made to insure that a student can pass the qualifying exam and complete the degree, though ultimately the student is responsible for his or her own advancement. Even after PhD candidacy, students continue to take courses in special topics and attend seminars. An important aspect of the educational process is the departmental colloquium, held weekly, featuring invited speakers on general topics. In addition, the graduate students themselves have often organized an active seminar series, with speakers taken from their own ranks, to remain up to date on each others work. Graduate students in the Department of Physics and Atmospheric Science are a diverse group.
Students come from Europe, Asia, and the Americas.
While the majority of students are single, some are married, some have children and a few get married during their graduate student years. Some have just finished their undergraduate degree, while others have had more experience before coming to Drexel. This variety provides a stimulating environment for learning and for making lifelong contacts. After receiving the Ph.D., our graduates continue their diversity in a variety of jobs.