Applied Science (PhD in Applied Science)
Return to the Department of Applied Science
Three years of full-time study and research (beyond the baccalaureate degree) at 9 credit hours per semester (or its equivalent for part-time study) is required. Thus, the minimum number of credit hours to earn a PhD in Applied Science is 54 credit hours.
Course Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Common Core | ||
| APSC 603 | Introduction to Scientific Research I | 2 |
| APSC 604 | Introduction to Scientific Research II | 2 |
| APSC 607 | Mathematical and Computational Methods I | 4 |
| Select one of the following: | 3-4 | |
| Mathematical and Computational Methods II | ||
| Cellular Biophysics and Modeling | ||
| Total Hours | 11-12 | |
Subject Area Concentration
Complete 18 credit hours (if APSC 651 Cellular Biophysics and Modeling is taken above) or 19 credit hours (if APSC 608 Mathematical and Computational Methods II is taken above) of graduate coursework in desired concentration with guidance from advisor and committee.
Dissertation
Complete 24 credit hours of APSC 800 Dissertation
Due to the different backgrounds, previous preparation, and career goals, not all Applied Science students will take the full core sequence, and a substitution for any of these courses can be approved by the Academic Progress Committee in Applied Science. However, unless otherwise exempted by the Department, students will be responsible for the material covered in the entire core.
Dissertation Requirement
The candidate must carry out a substantial original research project. The dissertation describing this research must be approved by the student’s advisory committee and successfully defended in a public oral examination.
Qualifying Exam Requirement
The candidate must successfully pass a comprehensive qualifying examination designed to demonstrate competence in his or her field of study.
Exam Requirement
Oral defense of the dissertation satisfies the exam requirement.
Language Requirement
There is no foreign language requirement.
Satisfactory Progress
To be eligible to graduate, all students must achieve a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale in all courses undertaken for graduate credit at William & Mary after admission to a degree program. A student in the Department must maintain a B average in order to remain in good standing. A student who receives a grade of C+ (2.3) or lower in a course may repeat that course one time for credit, upon approval of both the instructor of the course and the graduate director for the student’s program. When such a repeat attempt is approved, the grades for both attempts will count in the cumulative GPA, but only the most recent attempt will count toward the degree. No credit toward a degree will be allowed for a course in which a student receives a grade below C (grade point = 2.0).
All requirements for the Ph.D. must be completed within seven years from the first term of enrollment in the Ph.D. program, excluding periods of approved leave and military service. For a student enrolled in a master’s program in the School of Computing, Data Sciences, and Physics who subsequently advances to candidacy in the doctoral program in the same field, the terms of enrollment in the master’s program will count towards the seven-year limit for the doctoral degree unless otherwise stated in the letter of admission.