2008–2009 - Florida Institute of Technology

Doctor of Philosophy Degree Program
Physics _________________________________
The doctoral degree is conferred primarily to recognize the
individual who has demonstrated a satisfactory breadth and level
of scientific accomplishment and has the ability to investigate
scientific problems independently. It is also expected that the
successful candidate for the degree will have advanced or played
a significant part in the advancement of fundamental knowledge
in physics.
Admission Requirements
General admission requirements and the process for applying are
presented in the Academic Overview section of this catalog. The
GRE scores from both the general and subject test in physics are
recommended but not required.
Degree Requirements
Each candidate for the doctoral degree must prepare and carry
out a program of study approved by the major adviser and the
department head, pass a departmental qualifying examination,
pass a written doctoral comprehensive examination, submit a
dissertation proposal that gains the approval of the student’s
Doctoral Committee, complete a program of significant original
research, and write and successfully defend a dissertation based
on the program of research. Students with master’s degrees in
physics or appropriate related fields may opt to omit the qualifying
exam if they take and pass the comprehensive exam within 13
months of starting the program. The dissertation research must
be of publishable quality, according to the standards of peerreviewed
national and international journals. The dissertation
research, or a significant portion thereof, must be submitted for
publication in a major, refereed journal before the degree can be
awarded.
The Doctor of Philosophy in Physics is by nature a research
degree. Per university requirement, at least 81 credit hours
beyond the bachelor’s degree (or 48 beyond the master’s) are
required, including credits for individual study, research and
dissertation. At least 24 of these credit hours must be formal
classroom courses that may include courses listed for the master’s
degree and must include at least 18 credit hours taken at Florida
Tech. The student must pass a written comprehensive examination
emphasizing the student’s major area of concentration and
an acceptable dissertation proposal must be submitted before the
student is formally admitted to candidacy. An applicant without
a master’s degree is normally required to spend some time in
residence at Florida Tech, preferably by obtaining the master’s
degree, before being accepted into the doctoral program in
physics.
The department does not require candidates for the doctorate
to present evidence of competence in a foreign language, but
because of the importance of communications with foreign
scientists, it is strongly recommended that candidates for the
doctorate acquire reading competency in at least one language in
addition to English.
142 Florida Tech
Space Sciences _____________________________
The space sciences comprise an interdisciplinary field that
includes astronomy, astrophysics, space physics, planetary and
solar studies, and physics of lightning. By nature a broad subject,
graduate study in the space sciences can be narrowly focused
within one of these specializations. Florida Tech’s doctoral degree
in space sciences provides training with the breadth and depth
consistent with the highest-level degree. Such training produces
qualified professionals for teaching and research in academic
institutions and for research and related work in government and
industry.
Admission Requirements
General admission requirements and the process for applying
are presented in the Academic Overview section of this catalog.
GRE scores from both the general and subject test in physics are
recommended but not required.
Degree Requirements
Each candidate for the doctoral degree must prepare and carry
out a program of study approved by the major adviser and the
department head, pass a departmental qualifying examination,
pass a written doctoral comprehensive examination, submit a
dissertation proposal that gains the approval of the student’s
Doctoral Committee, complete a program of significant original
research, and write and successfully defend a dissertation based
on the program of research. Students with master’s degrees in
space sciences, physics or appropriate related fields may opt to
omit the qualifying exam if they take and pass the comprehensive
exam within 13 months of starting the program. The dissertation
research must be of publishable quality, according to the standards
of peer-reviewed national and international journals. The
dissertation research, or a significant portion thereof, must be
submitted for publication in a major, refereed journal before the
degree can be awarded.
The Doctor of Philosophy in Space Sciences is by nature a
research degree. Per university requirement, at least 81 credit
hours beyond the bachelor’s degree (or 48 beyond the master’s)
are required, including credits for individual study, research and
dissertation. At least 24 of these credit hours must be formal
classroom courses that may include courses listed for the master’s
degree, and must include at least 18 credit hours taken at Florida
Tech. The student must pass a written comprehensive examination
emphasizing the student’s major area of concentration and
an acceptable dissertation proposal must be submitted before the
student is formally admitted to candidacy. An applicant without
a master’s degree is normally required to spend some time in
residence at Florida Tech, preferably by obtaining the master’s
degree, before being accepted into the doctoral program in space
sciences.
The department does not require candidates for the doctorate
to present evidence of competence in a foreign language, but
because of the importance of communications with foreign
scientists, it is strongly urged that candidates for the doctorate
acquire reading competency in at least one language in addition
to English.