项目介绍

2022年4月18日

Core Requirements – Written Exams/Classes

Students demonstrate knowledge in 4 four areas, Each of the Core Requirements can be satisfied either by:

• passing a written exam; or
• receiving a qualifying grade in a related class.

A B+ grade in the related subject satisfies the requirement in:

• Classical Mechanics (8.309)
• Electricity & Magnetism (8.311)
• Quantum Mechanics (8.321)
• Statistical Mechanics (8.333)

See the Written Examination section of the General Doctoral Examination page for more information.

Required Classes – Specialty & Breadth

In addition to the demonstrated proficiency in the 4 subject in the Written Exams, graduate students must take 4-5 additional subject classes in Physics Specialty and Breadth areas.

• The Specialty Area builds proficiency related to the student’s research area, with 2 subject classes required (3 in NUPAT) from the pre-approved Specialty Area chart.
• The Breadth Area extends the student’s knowledge beyond their research area with 2 subject classes in different areas of Physics. The pre-approved Breadth Area chart lists many options.

Oral Exam

• Oral Exams are given in each Research Areas
• Team of 3 faculty examiners

Research

• Pre-Thesis Research, subject 8.391 and 8.392
  • Selecting a Research Supervisor
    • Research Supervision Form
    • Research Co-Supervision Form
  • Starting research work with the Supervisor’s Group
• Thesis Research, subject 8.ThG
  • After completing the Oral Exam
  • Forming a Committee and Submitting a Thesis Proposal

Thesis Committee and Proposal

• Generally by the beginning of third year, after completing Oral Exam
• Thesis Committee
  • Submitting a Thesis Committee Proposal
  • Completing the Committee
  • Holding the first meeting
  • Submitting a formal Thesis Proposal
    • Thesis Proposal Cover Sheet
    • PHD Thesis Proposal Form
    • SM Thesis Proposal Form

Preparing to Complete the Degree – Final Year

• Checking with APO that all course subject requirements are completed.
  • Submitting any necessary requests for any subject substitutions, if needed.
• Consulting with Thesis Supervisor about scheduling the Thesis Defense
• International Students – Consulting International Students Office with post-completion plans
• Writing up Research in final Thesis document

Defense of Thesis Research

Student defends Thesis Research to Committee Members

Written Thesis

• Formatting Thesis

Thesis Submission and Degree Completion

• Submission of Written Thesis for MIT Archives
• Fill out the Degree Application through the student section of WebSIS. Petitioning to be on the degree list for a particular commencement is required. Note that it is easier to be removed from the degree list to be added, so students are encouraged to apply for the degree list if there is any reasonable chance they will complete the PhD in the coming term.