The primary reference for rules and regulations regarding graduate students is The University of Georgia Graduate Policy. This Department of Physics and Astronomy handbook summarizes some of the more important rules from the Bulletin and clarifies their application for Physics and Astronomy students. Additional rules above and beyond those specified by the Graduate School are also outlined here, especially those regarding specific course requirements and deadlines. Questions regarding these requirements may be referred to the Graduate Coordinator or to the Graduate Coordinator Assistant. If further information is required, the Graduate Coordinator or the Graduate Coordinator Assistant will contact the Graduate School on your behalf Mission Statement The Department of Physics and Astronomy strives for an ideal balance between knowledge creation and knowledge dissemination in the fields of Physics and Astronmy, with a focus on student training and education. Our mission is to train and mentor students as responsible scientists and scientifically literate professionals, involving them in as many aspects as possible of physics and astronomy science enterprise. Our students will be treated as partners in the educational process. This implies that both students and faculty have expectations and responsibilities in their dealings with one another. All students deserve an equal opportunity to participate in the educational partnership. There is an undeniable connection between a first-rate teaching program and an active program of research and other scholarly activities. Faculty and graduate students active in scholarship can relate the excitement of discovery and state-of-the-art findings to their teaching. Faculty and graduate students who are good teachers often make good mentors and partners in scholarship. Graduate Teaching Assistants are not simply hired technicians for, but rather partners and coworkers with, faculty supervisors. TAs deserve an active role in the educational partnership, including input into policy decisions. A voice in the educational decision-making results in a satisfying, constructive, teaching experience, which promotes the desire of prospective graduate students to participate. Graduate Research Assistants should wholly participate in, and take responsibility for, the direction of the dissertation research project. This implies early recognition of the context and significance of the research in the expansion of society's knowledge base, as well as the importance of conducting research in an ethical manner. Research mentors have a responsibility to provide students broad access to multidisciplinary research skills as well as in-depth understanding of a targeted research project. Graduate Programs Prospective Applicants Admission Requirements Admission FAQ How to Apply PhD Degree MS Degree MS-NT Degree Financial Aid Graduate Courses & Schedules Graduate Policies Graduate Awards Appeals PhD Degree Selecting a Research Advisor Student Advisory Committee (Graduate Advisor Information) Degree Requirements Typical Course Sequence Thesis Submission Checklist MS Degree Selecting a Research Advisor Student Advisory Committee (Graduate Advisor Information) Degree Requirements Typical Course Sequence Thesis Submission Checklist MS-NT Degree Selecting a Research Advisor Student Advisory Committee (Graduate Advisor Information) Degree Requirements Typical Course Sequence Checklist Dissertation submission See detailed information https://www.physast.uga.edu/academic_programs/grad/thesis-submission. Final submission typically 10-12 days before commencement International Students: After graduation (OPT) See this PDF file for detailed information. Conclusion Much of the information shown above is also avalable through the Graduate School: https://grad.uga.edu/current-students/ Contact the Graduate School : gradinfo@uga.edu Contact our graduate coordinator, Dr. Steven Lewis (splewis@uga.edu).