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Frequently Asked Questions
Academics and Registration
> How is my Academic Advisor assigned?
> I am currently offsite-do I have to register
each semester? How do I register without being on campus?
> What is the difference between 8.391, 8.392
and 8.THG? What should I register for?
> How do I cross-register for a class at
Harvard?
> Who should I contact to substitute a course
for one of my breadth requirements?
> Who should I contact to substitute a course
for one of my specialty requirements?
> I am not sure that I want to continue in
the Ph.D. program-can I receive a Master's Degree instead?
> I need a verification letter for a VISA/Housing/Other-who
should I contact?
General Exams
> When are the General Exams?
> How do I register for the General Exams?
> Are there copies of previous General Exams
and solutions available?
> How do I obtain an Oral Exam committee?
> How do I find a room for my Oral Exam or
Thesis Defense?
> When do I have to pass each section of the
General Exam?
> Can I review a graded General Exam?
Research and Funding
> How do I change supervisors/research groups?
> I am experiencing conflict with my research
supervisor, to whom can I contact to facilitate a resolution?
> How can I get a TA?
> Am I allowed to be an RA and a TA simultaneously?
Thesis
> How do I submit a Thesis Proposal? When is
it due?
> How do I find a room for my Oral Exam or
Thesis Defense?
> I am going to graduate soon-what do I have
to do in terms of paperwork etc.?
> How do I get on/off the Degree List?
> When is my thesis due? Can I get an extension?
> When I submit my thesis to Academic Programs, 4-315, what do I need to bring?
Academics and Registration
How is my Academic Advisor assigned?
Upon entering the Department, every student is assigned an academic
advisor. Under most circumstances, this faculty member will continue
to advise the student until graduation. Later, when the student
joins a research group, another faculty member will become his or
her research advisor. Thus, for most of their time in the Department,
students have two separate faculty members to whom they can turn
for help and advice.
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I am currently offsite--do I have to register
each semester? How do I register without being on campus?
ALL active students MUST register each semester regardless of the
location of research. Students who are not on campus on Registration
Day must coordinate the submission of their Registration Form with
their Academic Advisor. Please note that Academic Programs
cannot facilitate these registrations given the multitude of activities
on that day. Students should contact their academic advisors directly
regarding registration.
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What is the difference between 8.391, 8.392
and 8.THG? What should I register for?
Physics graduate students can receive credit for their research
by registering for units in 8.391, 8.392 or 8.THG. 8.391 and 8.392
are called "Special Problems" and should be used by students
who have NOT submitted Thesis Proposal Forms (generally the first
three years of study). There is no difference between the two subject
numbers. Generally, 8.391 is used in the Fall term and 8.392 in
the Spring term.
Beginning in the semester during which a Thesis Proposal Form is
submitted, students should begin registering for 8.THG, Physics
Graduate Thesis. Students should subsequently register for this
credit every semester until they complete the thesis.
In all three subjects, students can register for any number of
units. The sum of all courses/teaching credit/research credit should
equal AT LEAST 36 units each semester. This is particularly poignant
for students with VISAs and outside financial aid.
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How do I cross-register for a class at
Harvard?
Please refer to the Registrar's
Office regarding cross-registration procedures for Harvard.
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Who should I contact to substitute a course
for one of my breadth requirements?
The Graduate General Exam and Requirements Coordinator approves
breadth requirement substitutions. Currently, Prof.
Tom Greytak serves this function. The request is made by writing
a letter (e-mail is acceptable) to the academic advisor who will
forward the request, along with his or her comments to the General
Examination and Requirements Coordinator who will send notification
of the decision.
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Who should I contact to substitute a course
for one of my specialty requirements?
Substituting for specialty subjects requires a request in writing
(or e-mail) to the appropriate Division Head. After commenting,
the Division Head will forward the request to the General Examination
and Requirements Coordinator who will send notification of the decision.
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I am not sure that I want to continue in
the Ph.D. program--can I receive a Master's Degree instead?
The Department of Physics does offer the option of a Master's Degree.
Students who would like to switch to Master's Status should send
an e-mail to the Academic Programs requesting the change in status. The Registrar's Office
will be notified and your terminal degree will be changed.
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I need a verification letter for a VISA/Housing/Other-who
should I contact?
In many cases, students are asked to provide enrollment and/or financial
verification letters. These letters can be obtained by contacting
Academic Programs, 4-315.
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General Exams
When are the General Exams?
The written portions of the General Exam are offered during the
week prior to the start of each semester. The Oral portion of the
General Exam can be scheduled during the Fall or Spring semester.
Visit the General Exam Schedule for
the next exam offerings. Please note that current students should
register for each part of the General Exams. Incoming students will
automatically be registered.
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How do I register for the General Exams?
Applications for Part I and Part II must be submitted to Academic Programs
one week prior to taking the exam. Applications can be submitted
online.
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Are there copies of previous General Exams
and solutions available?
Copies of Parts I and II from the three most recent years can be
obtained in the Academic Programs, 4-315. In addition, copies of Parts I and II from
previous years, and their solutions, are available for reference
in the Physics Reading Room, 4-332. Some exams are available
online in PDF format. Additional resources
and strategies for General Exam preparation are provided by Women
in Physics.
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How do I obtain an Oral Exam committee?
Students should complete an application.
Upon submission, a committee will be assigned based on parameters as written in the Doctoral Guidelines.
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How do I find a room for my Oral Exam or
Thesis Defense?
Many Divisions have conference and/or seminar rooms which can be
used for oral exams and defenses. Physics
Headquarters has limited rooms available for meetings and conferences
(because demand is heavy, these rooms are difficult to schedule).
Classrooms can be scheduled through the Registrar's
Office.
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When do I have to pass each section of the
General Exam?
Please reference the Timetable
for Progress as printed in the Doctoral Guidelines.
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Can I review a graded General Exam?
Students can view their personal graded General Exam(s) in Academic Programs, 4-315..
Research and Funding
How do I change supervisors/research groups?
Most students continue through from their first RA to a thesis in
the same group. Some, however, elect to change research groups.
An RA who does not wish to continue research in his or her group,
or who simply wishes to investigate other possibilities, should
not hesitate to talk to other professors about different opportunities.
However, students are responsible for notifying their current supervisor
of their intention to leave a group. Students are expected to work
in the research group as long as it is providing funding. In order
to facilitate the transition from one research group to another,
each student is guaranteed one semester of transitional funding
in the form of a TA. Once the decision has been made and approved
to switch groups, the student should notify Academic Programs, 4-315, and the Physics Fiscal Office, 4-304.
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I am experiencing conflict with my research
supervisor, to whom can I contact to facilitate a resolution?
The Associate Department Head for Education (currently Professor
Thomas Greytak) serves as the advisor for student concerns about
scientific misconduct issues including interactions with research
supervisors, data integrity, and authorship. In addition, Prof.
Barton Zwiebach and Dr. Sean Robinson serve as mediators in the Department and can be helpful
in dealing with sensitive issues.
At the Institute level, students can contact the Dean
of Graduate Students, the MIT
Ombuds Office, or Mediation@mit.
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How can I get a TA?
Students interested in a Teaching Assistantship should contact the
Graduate Appointments Coordinator (currently Prof.
Richard Yamamoto). Students are guaranteed one semester of TA
funding during their graduate career for the purpose of transitioning
between funding sources.
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Am I allowed to be an RA and a TA simultaneously?
In some cases, a Research Assistant might accept minimal TA duties
(i.e., a 10% TA) within a semester and register for 8.399 Graduate
Physics Teaching and a research subject (8.391, 8.392 and 8.THG)
simultaneously.
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Thesis
How do I submit a Thesis Proposal? When is
it due?
Students must register for thesis and be assigned a thesis committee
no later than the first term of their fourth year of graduate school.
It is strongly recommended that students register for thesis in
a term earlier than this final deadline. The first step is for the
student and research supervisor to agree on a thesis topic. An initial
Graduate Thesis Proposal Cover Sheet must be submitted to the Physics
Education Office by the second week of the term. The form requires
an initial thesis title, the name and signature of the research
supervisor, and the name of one reader for the thesis committee
agreed upon by the student and advisor. The student should register
for 8.THG (reminder: the minimum number of combined units for all
subjects in any particular semester should equal 36) beginning this
term. A third reader from the physics faculty, who is not in the
same research area, but whose interests, background, or special
knowledge make him or her an appropriate member of the committee,
will be assigned by the Graduate Student Coordinator. If there is
a co-supervisor (see above), the thesis committee will consist of
four people: research supervisor, co-supervisor, selected reader,
and assigned reader. After notification of the final reader, the
student will need to convene an initial thesis committee meeting
no later than four weeks before the last day of classes.
See the Doctoral Guidelines for
additional information.
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How do I find a room for my Oral Exam or
Thesis Defense?
Many Divisions have conference and/or seminar rooms which can be
used for oral exams and defenses. Physics
Headquarters has limited rooms available for meetings and conferences
(because demand is heavy, these rooms are difficult to schedule).
Classrooms can be scheduled through the Registrar's
Office.
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I am going to graduate soon--what do I have
to do in terms of paperwork etc.?
Please reference the Registrar's
Office Homepage and find the "Graduating Students"
link for a complete graduation checklist. Students should reference
this list at the START of the semester prior to graduation.
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How do I get on/off the Degree List?
Petitioning to be on the degree list for a particular commencement
is required. Note that it is EASIER TO BE REMOVED FROM THE DEGREE
LIST THAN TO BE ADDED. Thus, students are encouraged to petition
for the degree list if they have any aspiration of graduating. Removing
oneself from the degree list requires an e-mail to Academic Programs.
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When is my thesis due? Can I get an extension?
The Doctoral Thesis due dates can be found on the Institute's Academic
Calendar. The department can generally grant some extensions
beyond the Institute deadline. Students desiring extensions should
contact Academic Programs.
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When I submit my thesis to Academic Programs, 4-315, what do I need to bring?
Please refer to the Graduate Thesis Submission
Guidelines.
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