PhD Course Handbook
Objectives
The course regulations for research degrees in the Department of Physics are framed with the following objectives:
- To ensure that each postgraduate student continues to receive a training in physics that will deepen their understanding of the general subject area underlying the research project and broaden their knowledge of related areas, so the results of the project can be interpreted fully and set in context.
- To assess the progress of the student at all stages of the project: judge whether it is compatible with completion of the project for PhD/MSc thesis submission within their period of registration and initiate any changes necessary.
- To provide practise in writing and oral communication, so the student can present their thesis and defend it adequately in the subsequent viva.
- To provide a personal development and training framework within which students may increase their transferable skills.
Key PGR Contacts
Director of Graduate Studies (DGS):
Claire Hurley
Postgraduate Programmes Officer:
Rosalind Johnstone
Please direct any queries to PhysicsPG@warwick.ac.uk
Description of Activities
Throughout your postgraduate research degree as part of your research project you will engage with your research supervisor and a wider collaborative team, which include colleagues from within the Department, University and externally. PhD students obtain a deeper knowledge of physics by completing courses from the Physics Graduate School, and gain important research and transferable skills by completing the Doctoral Skills component of the degree.
Physics Graduate School
Graduate-level taught physics courses from MPAGS and elsewhere.
Doctoral Skills
Personal training and development; transferable skills.
Supervision
Guide to how PG research students are supervised.
Detailed Course Regulations
The course regulations and requirements for each stage of your degree are given below.
Stated submission deadlines assume that students start at the beginning of October: for students beginning at another time of the year these dates will be adjusted accordingly in their first year of study.
Quick Links:
Departmental Colloquia and Research Group Seminars
Physics Colloquia are open to the whole department are held each fortnight during full term, on Wednesday starting at 4:30pm in PLT. These aim to bring a wide variety of cutting edge research from high profile speakers to the attention of a general audience of physicists. The level is suitable for all staff, postgraduates and final year MPhys students.
Attendance at these colloquia is compulsory for all PhD students as part of their general training programme.
In addition, the various research groups have their own seminars and it is usual practise for PhD students to attend.
Conference Budgets and Presentations
PhD students will normally attend at least one UK and one international conference during their training period. This will give you experience of presenting your own work and meeting the experts in your particular field. The Department has allocated certain funds for each student to pay for the registration and travel expenses - consult the postgraduate office if you do not know your budget code and total. There may be other sources of funds for students who want to go to more conferences, especially if presenting a paper, but these are not guaranteed: look to your research group's grant portfolio (consult your supervisor), ask the conference organisers to waive the registration fee, apply to the Institute of Physics, Royal Astronomical Society or other charities.
Academic & Research Integrity
Information on Academic and Research Integrity is available from the Doctoral College.
Guidance on Artificial Intelligence
All PGR students are bound by the University Regulations. You should discuss appropriate use of AI with your supervisor and keep sufficient records in your logbook.
Student Support & Welfare
Detailed information about the many support mechanisms available is on our Student Support & Welfare page. In the event that you have a medical or personal issue that you think will affect your course and are unsure what to do, please contact the Postgraduate Programmes Officer in the first instance to check how to proceed.
If you have a complaint to make or would like to formally appeal an assessed component of your degree, please see the information about complaints & appeals procedures.
If you have decided to temporarily suspend working towards your degree then you can apply for temporary withdrawal from the course. Please discuss this with your supervisor, Postgraduate Programmes Officer and the Director of Graduate Studies in order to assess whether this is the right step to take, as it has financial and visa implications. Further details are on the university's Student Records Management page about Temporary Withdrawal.