Go to the U of M home page
School of Physics & Astronomy
School of Physics and Astronomy Wiki

User Tools

Trace:
graduate_handbook:physics_graduate_policies

Differences

This shows you the differences between two versions of the page.

Link to this comparison view

Both sides previous revisionPrevious revision
Next revision		Previous revision
graduate_handbook:physics_graduate_policies [2024/12/28 15:01] – [Graduate Written Examination Policy] vinalsgraduate_handbook:physics_graduate_policies [2025/05/13 09:42] (current) – [Requirements for satisfactory progress in the graduate program] vinals
Line 33: Line 33:
   * In the third year and beyond, students must show progress toward their Ph.D. by making an annual presentation on their research in a format that may depend on their research area, for example by giving a talk in their group seminar.   * In the third year and beyond, students must show progress toward their Ph.D. by making an annual presentation on their research in a format that may depend on their research area, for example by giving a talk in their group seminar.
  
-**Additional requirements for TA support, or University wide time limits**:+**Additional requirements, and University wide time limits**:
  
 ^ Requirement ^ Comment ^ ^ Requirement ^ Comment ^
 | Report of progress by Oral Committee for TA appointment beyond Oral Exam | No Teaching Assistant appointment beyond the third academic year will be offered unless a positive statement of progress is made by the Oral Committee. This is an annual requirement before a student is eligible for TA support: Once one year has elapsed since the Oral Exam is passed, a student needs to convene the Oral committee at least once every twelve months prior to being eligible for a 50% TA appointment | | Report of progress by Oral Committee for TA appointment beyond Oral Exam | No Teaching Assistant appointment beyond the third academic year will be offered unless a positive statement of progress is made by the Oral Committee. This is an annual requirement before a student is eligible for TA support: Once one year has elapsed since the Oral Exam is passed, a student needs to convene the Oral committee at least once every twelve months prior to being eligible for a 50% TA appointment |
 +| Work under the supervision of a SPA graduate faculty member | Students are assigned an academic adviser upon arrival. They may transition to a research adviser at any time after that. However, (i) one adviser of record needs to be maintained at all times, and (ii) the adviser of record must be a member of the [[https://faculty-roles.umn.edu/institution/UMNTC/programs/067660207/responsibilities|Physics graduate faculty]] |
 | Degree completed in a maximum of 8 years | Petition before the University is possible for a one year extension. Follow University guidelines | | Degree completed in a maximum of 8 years | Petition before the University is possible for a one year extension. Follow University guidelines |
 ===== Financial Support Policy ===== ===== Financial Support Policy =====
Line 53: Line 54:
  
 7. The total of the TA, grading and RA appointments for any student may not exceed a 50 percent appointment, unless a higher limit is approved by the adviser, the DGS, and the Head of the School. (International students may not exceed the equivalent of a 50 percent appointment during the academic year.) 7. The total of the TA, grading and RA appointments for any student may not exceed a 50 percent appointment, unless a higher limit is approved by the adviser, the DGS, and the Head of the School. (International students may not exceed the equivalent of a 50 percent appointment during the academic year.)
 +
 +{{page>:graduate_handbook:transcluded_items#financial_support&nodate&noheader&nofooter}}
 +
  
 ===== Tuition ==== ===== Tuition ====
Line 73: Line 77:
  
 **Important**: If it is determined that you should take thesis credits in the Summer term, then the office must be informed sometime in May. The specific deadline changes year to year depending on the appointment calendar, but it is generally around the middle of May. Failure to do so, may result in you being responsible for the entire tuition bill. Retroactive summer registration (e.g., June, July, August) is NOT allowed as all tuition payments are tied to the type of payroll appointment a person has for the Summer, as entered into the system in May. **Important**: If it is determined that you should take thesis credits in the Summer term, then the office must be informed sometime in May. The specific deadline changes year to year depending on the appointment calendar, but it is generally around the middle of May. Failure to do so, may result in you being responsible for the entire tuition bill. Retroactive summer registration (e.g., June, July, August) is NOT allowed as all tuition payments are tied to the type of payroll appointment a person has for the Summer, as entered into the system in May.
 +
 +==== Special rules for fellowships holders ====
 +All summer fellowship recipients must take 1 credit of Directed Research, PHYS 5994, if they have not attained ABD status. This includes all first-year students who receive departmental fellowships, all recipients of NSF, NASA, and the named fellowships like the Burlaga, Goldman, Greiling, Larkin, Hoff Lu, Pepin, and Voloshin, and all NSF-NRT students.
 +
 +If a summer fellowship recipient has attained ABD status they must take 1 credit of Phys 8444. This includes all recipients of NSF, NASA, and the named fellowships like the Burlaga, Goldman, Greiling, Larkin, Hoff Lu, Pepin, and Voloshin.
 +
 +Registration is mandatory and failure to register for the 1 credit may result in your fellowship being terminated by the University.  If you have a fellowship that is awarded through another unit, e.g. the Medical School, Dentistry, etc, you must contact them about the registration issue and payment.
 +
  
 ==== Payroll Taxes ==== ==== Payroll Taxes ====
Line 99: Line 111:
 ===== Preliminary Oral Examination ===== ===== Preliminary Oral Examination =====
  
-The Preliminary Oral Examination is the last exam that needs to be passed before the student is formally admitted to Ph.D. candidacy. The exam must taken by all Ph.D. students before the end of the third year. The goal of the exam is to determine whether a student has acquired enough knowledge to begin productive thesis-level research. The exam includes an oral defense of a thesis prospectus, with demonstration that the student has a reasonable plan for the thesis, as well as general knowledge of physics principles pertinent to the chosen field of research.+The Preliminary Oral Examination is the last exam that needs to be passed before the student is formally admitted to Ph.D. candidacy. The exam must be taken by all Ph.D. students before the end of the third year. The goal of the exam is to determine whether a student has acquired enough knowledge to begin productive thesis-level research. The exam includes an oral defense of a thesis prospectus, with demonstration that the student has a reasonable plan for the thesis, as well as general knowledge of physics principles pertinent to the chosen field of research.
  
 ==== Timing ==== ==== Timing ====
Line 151: Line 163:
 ===== Grading Policy ===== ===== Grading Policy =====
  
-1. At least two-thirds of all credit hours in an M.Sc. or a Ph.D. program must be taken on an A-N basis.+1. At least two-thirds of all credit hours in an M.Sc. or a Ph.D. program must be taken on an A-F basis.
  
-2. There are no formal grading restrictions on 8000 level courses; however, an adviser may require a student to take at least one 8000 course in the student's sub-field on an A-N basis.+2. There are no formal grading restrictions on 8000 level courses; however, an adviser may require a student to take at least one 8000 course in the student's sub-field on an A-F basis.
  
-3. The required core courses PHYS 5001/2 and 5011/2, if they are used on an M.S. or a Ph.D. program, must be taken on an A-N basis.+3. The required core courses PHYS 5001/2 and 5011/2, if they are used on an M.S. or a Ph.D. program, must be taken on an A-F basis.
  
-4. Instructors must clarify to students during the first two weeks of classes the standards of performance required under both the A-N and S-N grading systems.+4. Instructors must clarify to students during the first two weeks of classes the standards of performance required under both the A-F and S-N grading systems.
  
 ===== Criteria for Registration Warnings and Holds ===== ===== Criteria for Registration Warnings and Holds =====
graduate_handbook/physics_graduate_policies.1735419663.txt.gz · Last modified: 2024/12/28 15:01 by vinals

Page Tools