Introduction
The Ph.D. program in physics at UC Santa Cruz is a leader in outstanding physics research programs. We provide intellectually rich, vibrant, and challenging courses to prepare students for careers in experimental and theoretical astrophysics, biophysics, condensed matter physics and materials science, cosmology, particle physics theory, and particle physics experiments. Aligning a student's research interests and those of the department are particularly important; each doctoral student is assigned a faculty advisor who helps design a research project suited to both.
Admission Process
We are committed to providing an excellent education to a diverse population of graduate students, and encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply. While taking into consideration a candidate's undergraduate grade point average (GPA), letters of recommendation, student statements, and Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) scores (if provided), applicants are not disqualified based on any single factor. We employ a holistic process to assess candidates’ knowledge and passion for physics, as well as whether or not they have the perseverance and tenacity required to complete the doctoral program. In particular, the department recognizes the documented limitations of the GRE as an equitable predictor of success in graduate studies and research.
More information on the admission process can be found on the Physics Department’s admissions page.
Advancement to Candidacy
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To Advance to Candidacy (ATC), students must:
- complete all course requirements;
- have no Incomplete (I) grades;
- pass all five sections of the Written Qualifying Exams;
- nominate an Oral Qualifying Exam Committee and pass the Oral Qualifying Exam;
- nominate a Dissertation Reading Committee;
- pay the ATC fee.
Course Requirements
The exact number of courses required to complete the degree will depend on a student’s preparation for graduate study and on their progress toward the degree as evaluated by the department.
Core courses
In the first year of study, Ph.D. students are expected to take two core graduate-level courses per quarter from the following list of courses required for the Ph.D. degree:
| PHYS 210 | Classical Mechanics and Thermal Physics | 5 |
| PHYS 212 | Electromagnetism I | 5 |
| PHYS 214 | Electromagnetism II | 5 |
| PHYS 215 | Introduction to Non-Relativistic Quantum Mechanics | 5 |
| PHYS 216 | Advanced Topics in Non-Relativistic Quantum Mechanics | 5 |
| PHYS 219 | Statistical Physics | 5 |
Waiving Course Requirements
Entering the program with a M.S. does not automatically waive course requirements.
Students may petition the Graduate Committee to waive specific course requirements if:
- the course was taken and passed at a previous institution;
- a transcript of the course grade is submitted to Graduate Committee for review;
- a syllabus of the course is submitted to Graduate Committee for review;
- the student passes the associated Written Qualifying Exam.
Additional first-year courses
First-year students are also required to take the following two courses:
| PHYS 205 | Introduction to Research in Physics | 2 |
| PHYS 202 | Introduction to Teaching in Physics | 1 |
Additional course first and second years
First- and second-year students are required to take the following course every quarter:
Elective courses
An additional requirement are two graduate-level electives chosen in consultation with the student’s faculty adviser. Students are allowed to take more than two electives.
The table below is for informational purposes only. A student's plan may vary depending on prior coursework, research opportunity, and individual circumstance.
Sample Planner
Written Qualifying Exams
All Ph.D. students must pass a qualifying examination consisting of five written tests in the areas of:
- electricity and magnetism
Once a student passes an examination in any one of the five areas they do not need to take an exam in that area again.
Students have a first opportunity to take these five tests at the beginning of their first year. If necessary, students have a second opportunity to pass the written tests at the beginning of the second year. Students with at most one or two failed tests have a third opportunity to pass their remaining tests at the beginning of the winter quarter of their second year.
Students who fail any of the remaining tests at this third and last attempt, and students who have not passed three or more of the five written tests after two attempts can either transfer to the terminal M.S. program, or appeal to the Graduate Committee to continue on the Ph.D. route. In the latter case, the Graduate Committee considers whether there is evidence of likely success in the Ph.D. program. The committee evaluates and reviews the student’s progress toward candidacy, including performance in courses and progress in research, and may require possible remedial coursework or an oral examination, or may require that the student transfer to the terminal M.S. route.
Qualifying Examination
Undertaking and passing the Qualifying Exam is the next step.
1) Student submits the Committee Nomination of Doctoral Qualifying Examination
After identifying an appropriate research project with their faculty advisor, students form an Oral Qualifying Examination Committee:
- At least four examiners, one of whom is not a member of the student’s department;
- The Committee Chair, a tenured ladder-rank UCSC faculty member (the Physics Department allows the student’s faculty advisor);
- A ladder-rank UCSC faculty member (may be the advisor), typically but not necessarily from the Physics Department.
- A ladder-rank faculty member (may be the advisor), typically but not necessarily from the Physics Department.
- The outside member must be a tenured ladder-rank UCSC faculty member from a department other than Physics; a tenured faculty member of the same or similar discipline from another academic institution; OR a recognized expert in the student's research area from outside academic with significant research experience equivalent to a tenured faculty member.
In the event that the outside member is not from UCSC, they must have credentials equivalent to a tenured faculty member as judged by the Graduate Committee and the Graduate Dean. The outside member's CV must be submitted along with the QE exam committee nomination form.
Additional members may be added to the committee above the minimum requirements. Students should consult their advisors about the membership of their committee.
A ladder rank faculty (Academic Senate member) holds the title of Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, or Professor. Associate Professors and Professors have tenure.
2) At the Oral Qualifying Examination, the student presents their research progress, outlines a path to successful completion of their dissertation work, and answers questions both about their research program and about the research area generally.
3) Committee Chair submits the outcome of the exam on the Report on Qualifying Examinations to the Graduate Coordinator, preferably within one week of the exam;
4) Student submits the Nominations for Dissertation Reading Committee to the Graduate Coordinator
Advancement to Candidacy takes effect on the first day of the quarter following the receipt of the Qualifying Examination Report, the Dissertation Reading Committee Form, Language Requirement form (if applicable), and the Advancement to Candidacy fee in the Graduate Division. Additionally, the student must be registered for at least one quarter between advancing to candidacy and the awarding of the degree.
Graduate Handbook - Degree Requirements and Completion
Additional Information
Full-Time Status
Full-time status is considered:
- at least 10 credits per quarter for graduate students not yet Advanced to Candidacy;
- at least 10 credits per quarter for graduate students who have Advanced to Candidacy;
- at least 10 or 12 credits per quarter for International student graduates depending on your visa. Please check with ISSS on course minimum requirements for your visa.
Registrar - Enrollment Information
ISSS - Maintaining a Full Time Course Load
Grade Requirements
All graduate students in graduate or undergraduate courses will be graded Satisfactory (S), Unsatisfactory (U), or Incomplete (I).
Graduate students also have the option of receiving a letter grade of A, B, C, D, or I in most courses. The grades of A or B shall be awarded for satisfactory work. Grades of C or D will not satisfy any course requirement for a graduate degree at UCSC.
Graduate Handbook - Degree Requirements and Completion
Dissertation
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Dissertation
Ph.D. candidates prepare and submit a dissertation based on original research under the supervision of their research advisor. When the student and advisor agree that the thesis is nearing completion or is complete, the thesis is examined by the student's Dissertation Reading Committee.
Dissertation and Thesis Checklist
Dissertation and Thesis Guidelines
Dissertation Reading Committee
The Dissertation Reading Committee must have a minimum of three readers, and at least half of the committee must be members of the Santa Cruz Division of the Academic Senate (typically composed of the same members as the Oral Qualifying Examination Committee). A change in membership of the committee must be approved by the Graduate Dean.
Nominations for a Dissertation Reading Committee to read and pass upon the dissertation, subject to the approval of the Graduate Dean, should be submitted to the Graduate Division with the report of the oral qualifying examination.
Dissertation Defense
A public dissertation defense is required. Students should work with their committee to confirm a defense date and time. The Physics Department can assist with providing a room for the defense and with publicizing the event. Students should have a final or nearly final draft of their dissertation and provide it to their committee prior to the defense. We suggest at least one month prior, but this is at the committee’s discretion. The graduate advisor and/or the Graduate Committee can provide guidance as to the procedures for selection of committee membership, the format of the examination, and required reporting.
Academic Progress
Annual evaluation ordinarily is the joint responsibility of the graduate coordinator and the assigned faculty advisor or the chair of the student's doctoral committee. An evaluation should include a brief review of the student's work to date, with particular attention to the period since the last report, describing the student's progress toward the degree, pointing out any areas in which improvement is recommended or required, and establishing academic objectives for the following period.
The results of annual reviews are committed to writing and signed by the supervisor and another faculty member. This is to ensure evaluation and consent by more than one individual faculty member, who may also be a principal source of financial and other support. Before a doctoral student has advanced to candidacy, the second signer may be the graduate coordinator; after advancement, a second thesis committee member must also sign. The annual evaluations are distributed to the student and kept in the student's file in the department office. They form the basis for decisions about continued financial support, academic probation and/or dismissal, extensions of financial aid beyond normative time, and other matters.
Normative time to degree for the program is six years.
Applying for Graduation
Additional Information
Ph.D. Residency Requirement
The minimum residence requirement for the Ph.D. degree is six terms, three of which must be spent in residence at the University of California, Santa Cruz campus. Residence is established by the satisfactory completion of one course per term.
See the Division of Graduate Studies for information on dissertation requirements and completion.
Exit Forms
Ph.D. graduates are asked to complete: