Degrees

Normally students admitted to a degree program are expected to be in continuous, full-time residence until the degree has been received.

Since individual departmental degree requirements may change, students should always contact their department for current degree requirements and regulations.

MASTER OF SCIENCE

Each department offers a Master of Science program; however, most students enter graduate study with the objective of obtaining a Ph.D. degree.

There are, however, several special masters programs in the division for students who want to specialize in specific areas in the physical sciences without getting a Ph.D. The Department of Mathematics offers a program, Master of Science in Financial Math, which focuses on mathematics in finance. The Department of Computer Science offers a professional Master’s Program to students who seek employment in the computer industry. The interdisciplinary Master’s Program in the Physical Sciences is aimed at students who wish to broaden or deepen their knowledge of a specific area in the physical sciences. Finally, the Division, together with the Harris School, offers a Masters degree in Environmental Science and Policy.

Master of Science students are required to register full-time in the division for a minimum of three quarters, during which time they must satisfactorily complete a minimum of nine individual courses.

DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY

The degree of Doctor of Philosophy is conferred in recognition of high accomplishment and ability in the candidate’s chosen field. It is understood that the completion of a specified number of courses and a given period of residence do not ensure the granting of this degree. The requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy are as follows:

1. Completion of the University’s Residence Requirements.
2. Admission to candidacy for the degree. Admission to advanced work in the division does not necessarily imply admission to candidacy for a degree, which is contingent upon the recommendation of the department in which the student is working. At the appropriate time departments will submit to the dean of students in the division, on behalf of each student, an application requesting approval of admission to candidacy. Approval of the application certifies that (1) the candidate has begun investigation for a dissertation; (2) the candidate’s department recommends admission to candidacy (following satisfactory completion of individual examination requirements); and (3) the candidate has satisfied any foreign language requirement of his or her department.
   
3. The passing of final examination(s) in accordance with one of the following plans: (1) a basic examination in the major fields of interest in the department or departments of specialization and a final oral examination in the field covered by the dissertation, or (2) in the absence of a preliminary or basic examination, passing comprehensive examinations covering major fields of interest in the department of specialization, including the field of the dissertation.
   
4. Acceptance by the department and the Dissertation Office of a dissertation submitted for the degree.

This text was last revised on 9/02/2003.