# Catalog

**Source**: https://catalog.gatech.edu/programs/physics-phd/
**Parent**: https://catalog.gatech.edu/colleges/cos/

# Doctor of Philosophy with a Major in Physics

[Physics: Graduate Information](http://www.physics.gatech.edu/graduate-program)

All PhD programs must incorporate a standard set of [Requirements for the Doctoral Degree](https://catalog.gatech.edu/academics/graduate/doctoral-degree-info/).

The PhD degree in physics requires:

1. Successful completion of a set of core physics courses;
2. Successfully passing a Comprehensive Exam (consisting of a written Thesis Proposal and an oral Proposal Exam);
3. Successful completion of a minimum of 2 lecture type physics graduate courses (numbered 6000-level or higher; not including the core courses);
4. Successful completion of set of courses in a `minor’ subject;
5. a written PhD thesis

Students are admitted to candidacy when they have completed the first two steps above.

The core physics courses required by the School are as follows:

Course List

     | Code | Title | Credit Hours |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Core Physics Courses | |  |
| [PHYS 6103](https://catalog.gatech.edu/search/?P=PHYS%206103 "PHYS 6103") | Electromagnetism | 3 |
| [PHYS 6105](https://catalog.gatech.edu/search/?P=PHYS%206105 "PHYS 6105") | Quantum Mechanics I | 3 |
| [PHYS 6107](https://catalog.gatech.edu/search/?P=PHYS%206107 "PHYS 6107") | Statistical Mechanics I | 3 |
| [PHYS 6106](https://catalog.gatech.edu/search/?P=PHYS%206106 "PHYS 6106") | Quantum Mechanics II | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours | | 12 |

In some cases, courses taken to complete the Physics elective requirement (#3 above) may be used to satisfy the Institute requirement that every doctoral student earn 6 credit hours in a minor course of study in a scientific subfield different from the subfield of their PhD thesis research. Alternatively, these credit hours are earned in a school other than physics. Finally, each student must prepare a written dissertation that summarizes the PhD research and present a public, oral defense of the dissertation to a Thesis Exam Committee.