Physics, PhD

Program Overview

The Physics PhD program at George Mason University provides two research concentrations: Standard Physics, focused on traditional physics areas, or Engineering Physics, which combines physics, math, and engineering. Students advance to candidacy after passing qualifying exams, forming a dissertation committee, and having their research proposal approved. The dissertation represents a substantial contribution to the field and is publicly defended before the committee.

Program Outline

• Standard Concentration: This concentration focuses on traditional physics areas like Astrophysics, Condensed Matter Theory, Dynamical Systems/Biological Physics, High Energy Physics, Materials Physics, and Space Sciences.
Students can specialize in an emphasis area within this concentration, such as Atomic Molecular and Optical Physics, Condensed Matter Experiment, or others based on their interests.
• Engineering Physics Concentration: This concentration combines physics, mathematics, and engineering.
Students can specialize in Applied Mechanics (Fluids and Solids) or other applied and engineering physics areas.

Assessment:

• Qualifying Examination: Students must pass a four-section qualifying examination by the end of their third year.
The sections depend on the chosen concentration.
• Engineering Physics Concentration: Students can choose sections from PHYS 690 Engineering Thermodynamics or PHYS 711 Statistical Mechanics, PHYS 620 Continuum Mechanics or PHYS 705 Classical Mechanics, PHYS 694 Applied Mechanics of Solids or PHYS 695 Applied Fluid Mechanics, and both PHYS 510 Computational Physics I and PHYS 613 Computational Physics II.
• The exam is offered twice a year, and students can take one or more sections at a time.
Each section is graded pass/fail, and students can retake sections as needed within the three-year time limit.
• Students can waive the requirement to take a particular core or specialty science course if they pass the corresponding qualifying exam section.
• Dissertation: After advancing to candidacy, students work with their dissertation committee to develop their research into a doctoral dissertation.
The dissertation should represent a significant contribution to its scientific field and be publishable in a refereed scientific journal. The dissertation must be defended publicly before the dissertation committee and other faculty.

Other:

• Dissertation Committee: Students form a dissertation committee upon successful completion of the qualifying examinations.
The committee must include one member from outside the Department of Physics and Astronomy.
• Program of Study: Students work with their committee to select specialty courses and electives that form a cohesive program of study.
The program of study must be approved by the associate dean for undergraduate and graduate student affairs before advancement to candidacy.
• Advancement to Candidacy: To advance to candidacy, students must complete all required coursework, pass the qualifying examination, have their program of study and dissertation proposal approved by the dean, and be recommended by the dissertation committee.
• Dissertation Research: Students can take up to 24 combined credits from PHYS 998 Doctoral Dissertation Proposal/ASTR 998 Doctoral Dissertation Proposal and PHYS 999 Doctoral Dissertation/ASTR 999 Doctoral Dissertation, with no more than 21 credits from PHYS 998 Doctoral Dissertation Proposal/ASTR 998 Doctoral Dissertation Proposal.