Experimental and Molecular Medicine

The Department of Physics and Astronomy at Dartmouth offers a unique graduate program leading to the PhD degree. Here the world-class Dartmouth faculty---among the top researchers in the world in the targeted subjects of quantum and condensed matter physics, plasma and fluids, space physics, and astronomy, astrophysics and cosmology---work side-by-side with students. 

The graduate program admits eight to ten new PhD students per year, with a total enrollment of approximately 50 students. The department has seventeen full-time faculty members and twelve research and adjunct faculty. Students also participate in the educational directives of the department as teaching assistants. All incoming graduate students receive interactive training in how to teach, how to run a course, and how to be a mentor. 

The life of the department centers around an active colloquium program and seminar series, featuring speakers from top universities and research centers. Seminar series in quantum and condensed matter physics, space and plasma physics, and astrophysics and cosmology augment the weekly meetings and journal clubs held by individual research groups. 

Entering Ph.D. students are expected to enroll in Physics 256 (Instruction in Teaching for Graduate Students) fall and winter term, which is taken in addition to three regular course credits.

A student will be admitted as a Ph.D. candidate upon:

Physics students:

1. Receiving credit for seven out of the following nine core courses: Physics 76 (Methods of Experimental Physics), Physics 90 (Intermediate Quantum Mechanics), Physics 100 (Mathematical Methods for Physicists), Physics 101 (Classical Mechanics), Physics 103-106 (Advanced Quantum Mechanics, Statistical Mechanics I, Electromagnetic Theory I, Electromagnetic Theory II), Physics 109 (Statistical Mechanics II).
2. Passing the departmental qualifying examination. 
3. Presenting a thesis proposal [Ph.D. Thesis Proposal Application] and successfully defending it before an appointed Ph.D. thesis committee, for certification.
4. Passing a departmental review of the student’s course record and preliminary research progress.
5. Receiving credit for at least two terms of Supervised Undergraduate Teaching (Physics 257) and Instruction in Teaching for Graduate Students (Physics 256).

Students must achieve thesis proposal certification by the end of the fall term of their fourth year, in order to remain in good standing. The Department will admit students who successfully complete these requirements to Ph.D. candidacy.

Astronomy students:

1. Receiving credit for Astronomy 74 (Astrophysics), Astronomy 115 (Advanced Stellar Astrophysics), Astronomy 116 (Galactic Systems), Astronomy 117 (Interstellar Astrophysics), Astronomy 118 (Observational Cosmology) and any one Physics course numbered 61 or above, and any other courses required by the student's advisory committee. Receiving credit for at least six terms of graduate research.
2. Passing a research exam at the end of their first and second years.
3. Presenting a thesis proposal [Ph.D. Thesis Proposal Application] and successfully defending it before an appointed Ph.D. committee for certification.
4. Passing a departmental review of the student's course record and preliminary research progress.
5. Receiving credit for at least two terms of Supervised Undergraduate Teaching (Physics 257) and Instruction in Teaching for Graduate Students (Physics 256).
6. Students must achieve thesis proposal certification by the end of the fall term of their fourth year, in order to remain in good standing. Students who successfully complete these requirements will be admitted to Ph.D. candidacy by the department.

7. Students are required to meet with their committee at least once per year between the time of their thesis proposal and their defense. The yearly progress report meeting can take whatever form the advisor deems appropriate (short presentation, informal discussion), but requires that the student, the advisor and the in-house members of the committee all be in attendance. It is the responsibility of the student to arrange each meeting and deliver a completed confirmation sheet within one week of the meeting. Confirmation sheets will be available from the department office.

   The candidate will receive the Ph.D. degree upon:

8. Receiving degree credit for at least twelve graduate courses, exclusive of teaching courses. Only two of the twelve courses may be Graduate Research, both of which must be completed no later than the second summer term in residence.
9. Receiving credit for at least two terms of Supervised Undergraduate Teaching (Physics 257).
10. Completing a dissertation of substantial significance and publishable quality.
11. Successfully defending the dissertation before the Ph.D. Thesis Committee in a public forum.

It is expected that all incoming students will have a solid foundation in physics at the B.A. or B.S. level. Exceptions may be made for individual students with the understanding that they remedy any deficiency within the first year. Admission to the program is based of the applicant's academic record, 3 letters of recommendation, GRE scores (general and advanced exams are required), and statement of goals. The minimum acceptable GRE score is 1200 (307), combined verbal plus quantitative sections. Foreign students must also demonstrate proficiency in written and spoken English. You may test with either ETS or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Minimum acceptable scores: ILELTS Band score of 7.0; TWE score of 4.5, and a TOEFL score of 600 [paper-based], 250 [computer-based], or 100 [internet-based]. Official test scores must be submitted by the testing agency. - 

Financial support is provided through twelve-month teaching and research assistantships which include a full tuition scholarship. Support is normally for a period of five years, by which time students are expected to have completed or nearly completed their course of study. Qualified students will be encouraged to apply to government and private foundations for prestigious fellowships. The department and the Dean of Graduate Studies will aid in this endeavor.