StudyQA — PhD: Physics — California Institute of Technology

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Description Contents Requirements Funding

An advanced degree in physics at Caltech is contingent upon an extensive research achievement. Students in the program are expected to join a research group, carry out independent research, write publications for peer-reviewed journals as well as a thesis. The thesis work is then presented and evaluated by a Caltech thesis committee in a public defense. Initially, students are required to consolidate their knowledge by taking advanced courses in at least six subfields of physics. Students must also pass a written candidacy exam in both classical physics and quantum mechanics in order to progress into the research phase of the degree.

Graduates of our program are expected to have extensive experience with modern research methods, a broad knowledge of contemporary physics, and the ability to perform as independent researchers at the highest intellectual and technical levels.

The Advanced Physics Requirement is really a breadth requirement; it's purpose is to make sure students graduating from Caltech leave with a fairly broad knowledge of physics. At the same time, students can choose what courses they take to satisfy this requirement, following their personal interests.

Course Substitutions for the Advanced Physics Requirement
--What counts for what...

The Advanced Physics categories:
Students need to take a minimum of a one-quarter course in six of the following eight categories:

Elementary Particle Physics (EP)
Nuclear Physics (NP)
Atomic/Molecular/Optical Physics (AMO)
Condensed Matter Physics (CMP)
Gravitational Physics (GR)
Astrophysics (AP)
Mathematical Physics (MP)
Interdisciplinary Physics (ID)

Acceptable courses for the Advanced Physics requirement:

Ph101/Order-of-magnitude -- counts for ID or AP
Ph102b/Physics of the Interstellar Medium -- counts for counts for AMO, AP or ID
Ph103/Neuroscience -- counts for ID
Ph103/Electrons in Nanostructures -- counts for CMP
Ph103b/Spectroscopy -- counts for AMO, AP or ID
Ph105/Topics in Classical Physics -- counts for ID
Ph118/Low Noise Measurement AB, Physics of Measurement C -- any term counts for ID
Ph127/Statistical Physics -- two terms counts for CMP or ID
Ph129/Mathematical Methods of Physics -- any term counts for MP
Ph130 -- any term counts for CMP
Ph135/Applications of Quantum Mechanics -- individual terms count for AMO, CMP, NP, or EP, depending on content
Ph135b/String Theory -- individual terms count for MP or EP
Ph136a/Applications of Classical Physics (Stat Mech, Optics) -- counts for AMO or ID
Ph136b/Applications of Classical Physics (Elasticity, Fluid Dynamics) -- counts for AP or ID
Ph136c/Applications of Classical Physics (Plasma, GR) -- counts for GR
Ph161 -- any term counts for MP or ID
All physics courses numbering 200 count for something, depending on content
Ph205/Relativistic Quantum Field Theory -- Ph205a counts for ID, or Ph205ab counts for Math; Ph205c counts for EP
Ph210 -- any term counts for EP
Ph217/Introduction to the Standard Model -- any term counts for EP

Ph219/Quantum Computation -- any term counts for ID or MP
Ph223/Advanced Condensed Matter Physics -- any term counts for CMP
Ph229/Advanced Mathematical Methods of Physics -- any term counts for MP
Ph230/Elementary Particle Theory -- any term counts for EP
Ph231 -- any term counts for EP
Ph232 -- any term counts for MP
Ph235 -- any term counts for MP or EP
Ph236/Relativity -- Ph236a counts for Gravitational; Ph236bc counts for Astrophysics
Ph237/Gravitational Waves -- any term counts for GR
Ph250/Introduction to String Theory -- any term counts for MP
Ay121 -- counts for AP or AMO
APh114 -- any term counts for CMP

Requirements

Master's degree in the related area
Statement of Purpose
Include payment of the application fee or submit a fee waiver request.
Three letters of recommendation from individuals familiar with your academic and/or work performance are required for all applicants.
Transcripts from all colleges or universities attended are required. Transcripts may be sent directly from the Registrar of the institution you attended or transcripts issued directly to the applicant, and so marked, are acceptable, and can be submitted online following the electronic submission process. If you attended Caltech as an undergraduate, you must request an official transcript from the Office of the Registrar. We cannot obtain one on your behalf.
Attach a CV or resume
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