The PhD program is intended to produce competent independent researchers who are able to make original contributions to physical sciences. The program prepares students for careers in research, teaching, or industry and thus provides qualified scientists for Lebanon and the region. It serves the AUB mission of promoting research and participating in the advancement of knowledge.
After admission into the program, a graduate student is assigned an academic adviser who evaluates his/her academic background, designs a curriculum to meet the student's research interests and career goals, and advises if undergraduate courses are needed to rectify deficiencies.
All of the duties of the academic adviser will be transferred to the thesis adviser chosen by the student and approved by the department.
The thesis adviser must be chosen within 3 semesters from the admission to the program.
Students may choose one of the two tracks: Regular or Accelerated.
Courses:
Regular Track | Accelerated Track |
For students with an MS degree in Physics
| For students with a BS degree in Physics
|
- A minimum of 18 credit divided into:
- PHYS 306 and 307 (6 credits)
- At least 12 credits beyond the core program, out of which one course must be in the field of the PhD thesis (A maximum of three credit hours may be a tutorial course).
Students may take relevant courses outside the department provided they secure departmental approval.
- A minimum of 24 credit hours of thesis work.
| - At least 39 credit hours in graduate level course work divided as follow:
- The required courses are: PHYS 301, 302, 303, 305, 306 and 307 (18 credits)
- At least 21 credits of electives beyond the core program, out of which one course must be in the field of the PhD (a maximum of three credit hours may be a tutorial course).
Students may take relevant courses outside the department provided they secure departmental approval.
- A minimum of 30 credit hours of thesis work.
|
PhD Qualification Exam Part I & II
- Upon completion of a minimum of 15 credits of graduate course work (including PHYS 301, 302, 303, & 305) with a cumulative average of 85 or above in the core courses, the students may sit for PhD Qualification Exam Part I (written comprehensive exam).
- After choosing a thesis adviser, the student should pass the PhD Qualification Exam Part II: the student must formulate, submit and defend a thesis research proposal.
Candidacy
Students are admitted to candidacy at least two semesters before obtaining their PhD degree. Students enter degree candidacy upon passing the qualifying exams and while in good standing. (For more info., refer to p. 65 of the Graduate Catalogue 2016-2017.)
Thesis Committee
PhD thesis committee should be composed of at least five members, two of whom should be from outside the University. The thesis adviser and at least three of the thesis committee members must be of professorial rank. All members of the thesis committee must hold a doctoral degree in a relevant field. The chair of the thesis committee must be a full professor who is not the PhD thesis adviser. (For more info., refer to p. 66 of the Graduate Catalogue 2016-2017.)
Important Dates
Requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy must be completed within five years of starting graduate work for the regular track or six years for the accelerated track.
Below is the table of deadlines:
| For PhD candidates Graduation in | Spring 2017-2018 | Summer 2017-2018 | Fall 2018-2019 | Spring 2018-2019 |
Deadline for approval of thesis topic and committee
| September 6, 2017 | January 8, 2018
| May 10, 2018
| September 6, 2018
|
Deadline for thesis defense
| May 3, 2018
| September 6, 2018
| January 28, 2019
| May 6, 2019
|
Deadline for thesis deposit at library
| May 14, 2018
| September 17, 2018
| February 7, 2019
| May 16, 2019 |
PhD Degree Graduation Requirements
A student can graduate at the end of any academic semester provided the student has satisfied the following requirements:
- Attained a minimum cumulative course average of 85 excluding courses taken prior to admission to the program.
- Passed the Doctoral Qualifying Exam Parts I and II (Comprehensive and thesis proposal defense Examinations) as set by the department.
- Met program specific requirements for publication of thesis work by the time of graduation. Please refer to the catalogue section pertaining to the program. The minimum requirement is two publications according to the one of the following options: (1) in two internationally refereed journals, or (2) in two international conferences, or (3) in one internationally refereed journal and one international conference. Program specific requirements may be more stringent.
- Successfully defended a thesis of original scholarly work.
- Met the residence requirements and all pertinent AUB regulations.
Useful Links: Graduate Council; AUB Graduate Catalogue
Courses