The first year of your program focuses on the satisfactory completion of the Core courses. You must also pass a Qualifying Examination that reviews undergraduate Physics and ensures an appropriate level of understanding of basic Physics necessary to be successful in the Ph.D. program. In addition to coursework, students are expected to focus their scientific interests by seeking out and developing a relationship with one of the research groups within the department. This is the starting point for the research that will lead to your Ph.D. thesis. Our faculty members are internationally recognized physicists at the forefront of their fields. We explore nature at all length scales, from the subatomic (quarks and gluons) to the macroscopic (black holes and dark energy), and everything in between (atomic and biological systems). Our research groups have strong connections across disciplines and collaborate with the College of Engineering, the College of Health and Human Sciences, the College of Pharmacy, the College of Veterinary Medicine, and the College of Education at Purdue and with scientists at laboratories and universities throughout the world.<br><br>Purdue's Department of Physics and Astronomy is a recognized world leader in many areas of theoretical and experimental research. Forefront research in physics, cutting across several disciplines are being carried out by high quality, motivated graduate students and world renowned, dedicated faculty in the department. Our goal has been and remains to attract the very best.