David W. Oxtoby
Dean

Sidney Nagel
Associate Dean

Richard Hefley
Dean of Students

The Division of the Physical Sciences includes the departments of Astronomy & Astrophysics, Chemistry, Computer Sciences, Geophysical Sciences, Mathematics, Physics, and Statistics. It also includes the Enrico Fermi Institute and the James Franck Institute. Graduate degrees are awarded only by the departments, but students in physical sciences programs often conduct their research under the auspices of the research institutes.

Undergraduate programs in the physical sciences are administered by the College. Detailed descriptions of programs leading to the bachelorŽs degree may be found in the College's annual publication, Courses and Programs of Study.

 Admission to Graduate Programs in the Division

Applicants for admission to graduate studies in a particular branch of the Physical Sciences should refer to individual department entries for specific admissions requirements.

An applicant who has received a bachelor's degree or the master's degree from an accredited college or university may be admitted on the basis of his or her previous academic record.

An applicant who has completed at least two years of college work with superior standing in the basic courses of a special field and an adequate record of general studies but who does not have a four-year bachelor's degree may be admitted to the division to study toward a higher degree. However, failure to qualify for a higher degree leaves the student with no degree. Admission on this basis is recommended only for those with high aptitude for their major field and with not more than two deficiencies in general education covering the areas of English, modern foreign languages, humanities, social science, and biological science.

A person may be admitted as a Graduate Student-at-Large or as a Returning Scholar for the purpose of studying a definite subject or subjects for which he or she has an adequate background. Admission is considered upon the basis of an abbreviated application, such credentials as may be appropriate, and a clearly defined statement of objectives. Application is made to the Graham School of General Studies, Judd Hall, 5835 Kimbark Avenue, Chicago, IL 60637.

 Financial Aid

Most graduate students in the Division of the Physical Sciences receive some form of financial support. Almost all advanced students engaged in thesis research have research assistantships and receive stipends from the research sponsor's contract or grant. A merit tuition scholarship normally accompanies such assistantships. Since teaching experience is a requirement for the Ph.D. degree in all departments, many students, usually in their first and second years of graduate study, serve as teaching assistants in undergraduate courses offered by their departments. Other forms of support include fellowships provided by the National Science Foundation, the U.S. Department of Education, and various private foundations. The University provides a limited number of special scholarships and fellowships for outstanding students from its own student aid funds and from privately endowed funds.

 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, three 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. And 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.

 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 Office of Academic Publications of a dissertation submitted for the degree.