The doctor of philosophy degree is designed to educate scientists to be capable of independently formulating and solving problems of fundamental scientific importance. Detailed policies for the PhD degree are listed at the MU Graduate School. Here we give details specific to the Physics program.<br><br>Requirements<br>A Ph.D. Degree requires completion of a minimum of 18 hours beyond the Master's Degree, with a grade of 3.0 (B) or better, and completion of the Department Qualifying Examination at the PhD pass level. The degree candidate must also meet the residency requirements. There is no foreign language requirement.<br><br>The required courses for a PhD Degree (in addition to those for the MS Degree in physics) are as follows:<br><br>Physics 8640, Electrodynamics II (3 credit hours)<br>Physics 8720, Quantum Mechanics II (3)<br>Four elective graduate-level courses in Physics and Astronomy (12)<br>At least three of the four elective courses must be 8000 level, one of them may be 7000 level. Included in this should be essential courses in the area of specialization. Students may also choose selected 7000 and 8000 level courses from other departments, if relevant for their research projects, and with the approval of their advisor and the DGS.<br>Altogether, MU requires a minimum of 72 credit hours of graduate work (the sum of course work and research credit hours) beyond the baccalaureate degree.