APLPH-PHD - Applied Physics (PhD)
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Program Overview
The Department of Applied Physics offers qualified students with backgrounds in physics or engineering the opportunity to do graduate coursework and research in the physics relevant to technical applications and natural phenomena. These areas include accelerator physics, biophysics, condensed matter physics, nanostructured materials, quantum electronics and photonics, quantum optics and quantum information, space science and astrophysics, synchrotron radiation, and applications.
Faculty members and various members of other departments such as Biology, Chemistry, Electrical Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering, Physics, the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, and faculty of the Medical School engaged in related research fields supervise student research.
Research activities are carried out in laboratories including the Geballe Laboratory for Advanced Materials (GLAM), the Edward L. Ginzton Laboratory (GINZTON), the Hansen Experimental Physics Laboratory (HEPL), the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, the Center for Probing the Nanoscale, and the Stanford Institute for Materials and Energy Science (SIMES).
Admissions Information
Information on how to apply for graduate study at Stanford is available on the university’s Graduate Admissions website. Application information specific to the Applied Physics Graduate Program can be found on our website.
Minimum Units in the Program
Minimum University Units
The program leading to a PhD in Applied Physics consists of coursework, research, qualifying for PhD candidacy, a research progress report, a university oral examination, and a dissertation.
Courses in Physics and Mathematics to overcome deficiencies, if any, in undergraduate preparation
Basic graduate courses: These requirements may be totally or partly satisfied with equivalent courses taken elsewhere, pending the approval of the graduate study committee; Letter grades are required for all courses
A final average overall grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 (B) is required for courses used to fulfill degree requirements
Students are expected to complete the specified course requirements by the end of their third year of graduate study
Coursework
PhD candidates must complete a minimum of 135 units. These courses must be numbered 100+. PhD candidates who received their MS from Stanford may count up to 45 units toward the 135 total.
Out of the 135 units, a student must complete a minimum of 18 units of approved courses in advanced study in engineering and science. These courses must be numbered 200+ and must be taken for a letter grade.
Additional units of courses as needed to meet the minimum residency requirement of 135 units. Research units, directed study, seminars, and curricular practical training included.
Milestones
Third-Year Progress Meeting: this is to discuss informally the progress toward the formulation of thesis research and completion of the other degree requirements. This is not an examination and there is no recorded evaluation. It must occur by the end of spring quarter of the third year. The third-year progress committee consists of the student’s research advisor and one additional faculty member. This second member of the committee can be the academic advisor or another Applied Physics faculty member of the student’s choosing.
Fourth-Year Progress Report: this is normally completed before the end of winter quarter of the fourth year of enrollment in graduate study at Stanford. The Progress Report should not be viewed as an exam; rather, it is an informational discussion between students and the group that will be their Dissertation Reading Committee. Students share research results to date and get input on future research plans leading to degree conferral. The student arranges to give an oral research progress report presentation should not take more than 45 minutes, with an additional 15 minutes for questions.
Students who took APPPHYS 304 or APPPHYS 305 in previous years may also count these courses towards this requirement.
At least one science/engineering-based course in each of two areas other than the student’s research specialization is required. Only three units at the 300 or above level may be taken on a satisfactory/no-credit basis. Units from course, course, and any 1-unit courses do not count towards this requirement.
May be conducted in a science/engineering field under the supervision of a member of the Applied Physics faculty or appropriate faculty from other departments. If the primary advisor is from a department other than Applied Physics and has no academic affiliation with the department*, a co-advisor who is a regular Applied Physics department faculty member must be chosen by the student and confirmed by the Grad Studies Committee.
*For example, a courtesy appointment or other closely affiliated faculty; discuss with the graduate studies committee chair for approval.
Satisfactory progress in academic and research work, together with passing the PhD candidacy qualifying examination, qualifies the student to apply for PhD candidacy and must be completed before the third year of graduate registration. The examination consists of a seminar on a suitable subject delivered by the student before a committee composed of the chair (who is from the graduate studies committee), a faculty member associated with the department who is chosen by the student (courtesy appointment is acceptable), and a third member from the AP faculty who is selected by the department.
University PhD Oral Examination consists of a public seminar in defense of the dissertation, followed by private questioning of the candidate by the university examining committee. Students consult with their dissertation advisor and reading committee members on the timing of the defense.
The dissertation must be approved and signed by the PhD reading committee. Students are expected to submit the dissertation by the end of their sixth year in the program.