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Admission to the Ph.D. program requires students to successfully complete both a written qualifying exam and a subsequent oral comprehensive exam. Candidates must take the qualifying examination within their initial five semesters as full-time graduate students, with only two attempts permitted. Beyond the coursework needed for the MS degree, students must master the content of PHYS 651 and 671. The program also mandates the completion of an original research dissertation, followed by a final oral defense. The Ph.D. represents a research-focused credential, showcasing the candidate's ability to conduct groundbreaking work in a specialized physics field. This achievement prepares graduates for academic careers in teaching and research or scientific roles in industrial and government research settings.