Thus the fundamental requirement for the Ph.D. is a dissertation which presents original and significant physics. Students are admitted to candidacy for a Ph.D. only after they have demonstrated a thorough knowledge of basic physics. This is tested through six comprehensive examinations in basic and advanced classical physics, basic and advanced quantum mechanics, statistical physics and modern physics. Different sections of the examination may be completed at different times, but five out of six parts must be completed by the beginning of the sixth semester. Graduate students in physics come to the University at Albany with a wide variety of educational backgrounds, so our formal course requirements are flexible.
Some students quickly pass their exams and proceed directly to research.
Others enroll in a sequence of graduate 'core' courses which cover the foundations of basic physics and help students prepare for the examinations. Some students may have to take advanced undergraduate courses to make up deficiencies before taking the core courses. Course requirements for a Ph.D. are not extensive because credit is given for research work. However, all students are required to take a course in experimental methods. This serves as an introduction to Physics Department facilities.