The Magical World of Grad
School
What to expect from grad school
&
What grad school expects from you
Overview
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Application Process – Debra Bomar
How to Choose
Timeline
Requirements
Funding (TA, GSR, Fellowships)
Snapshot of First-Year Grad Students
How to Choose
How to Choose
-Talk to faculty/students
-Visit
-Make sure you feel
comfortable interacting
with the faculty/students
-Look at research
being done at each
institution
-Make sure there is
research being done that
interests you (even if
you are undecided about
the area that interests
you most)
Typical PhD Timeline at UCSD
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2
Start
1st Year Fall
Coursework Research
Begins
2nd year Fall
Qualifying
Exam
3
4
5
Deadline for
Advancement
To Candidacy
6
7
8
Thesis Defense
Graduation
Deadline
To Graduate
Requirements
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Coursework
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1st Year – Core Requirements (Required 3.0+ Average)
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3 qtrs Quantum Mechanics
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2 qtrs Theoretical Mechanics
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2 qtrs Advanced Classical Electrodynamics
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1 qtr Mathematical Physics
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1 qtr Equilibrium Statistical Mechanics
2nd + Years
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Qualifying Exam (2nd Year)
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5 Upper Level Courses
Required C or higher in all 5 courses, 3.0 average in 4 out of 5
Given at beginning of Fall and Spring quarters, may retake the
exam once the next time offered
Teaching Requirement
Advancement to Candidacy
Thesis Defense
Funding
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Teaching Assistantships
Graduate Student Research
Fellowships
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Funded by department/university
Funded by government organizations/companies
Funding
Snapshot of First Year Students