What is Phd: Definition and 1000 Discussions

A Doctor of Philosophy (PhD, Ph.D., or DPhil; Latin philosophiae doctor or doctor philosophiae) is the most common degree at the highest academic level awarded following a course of study. PhDs are awarded for programs across the whole breadth of academic fields. Because it is an earned research degree, those studying for a PhD are required to produce original research that expands the boundaries of knowledge, normally in the form of a thesis or dissertation, and defend their work against experts in the field. The completion of a PhD is often a requirement for employment as a university professor, researcher, or scientist in many fields. Individuals who have earned a Doctor of Philosophy degree may, in many jurisdictions, use the title Doctor (often abbreviated "Dr" or "Dr.") with their name, although the proper etiquette associated with this usage may also be subject to the professional ethics of their own scholarly field, culture, or society. Those who teach at universities or work in academic, educational, or research fields are usually addressed by this title "professionally and socially in a salutation or conversation." Alternatively, holders may use post-nominal letters such as "Ph.D.", "PhD", or "DPhil" (depending on the awarding institution). It is, however, considered incorrect to use both the title and post-nominals at the same time.The specific requirements to earn a PhD degree vary considerably according to the country, institution, and time period, from entry-level research degrees to higher doctorates. During the studies that lead to the degree, the student is called a doctoral student or PhD student; a student who has completed all their coursework and comprehensive examinations and is working on their thesis/dissertation is sometimes known as a doctoral candidate or PhD candidate (see: all but dissertation). A student attaining this level may be granted a Candidate of Philosophy degree at some institutions or may be granted a master's degree en route to the doctoral degree. Sometimes this status is also colloquially known as "PhD ABD," meaning "All But Dissertation."A PhD candidate must submit a project, thesis, or dissertation often consisting of a body of original academic research, which is in principle worthy of publication in a peer-reviewed journal. In many countries, a candidate must defend this work before a panel of expert examiners appointed by the university. Universities sometimes award other types of doctorate besides the PhD, such as the Doctor of Musical Arts (D.M.A.) for music performers and the Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) for studies in education. In 2005 the European Universities Association defined the "Salzburg Principles," 10 basic principles for third-cycle degrees (doctorates) within the Bologna Process. These were followed in 2016 by the "Florence Principles," seven basic principles for doctorates in the arts laid out by the European League of Institutes of the Arts, which have been endorsed by the European Association of Conservatoires, the International Association of Film and Television Schools, the International Association of Universities and Colleges of Art, Design and Media, and the Society for Artistic Research.In some countries like China and Japan, a recipient of doctorate in disciplines such as engineering and pharmacy where professional degrees (for example, EngD and PharmD) are usually awarded in the western countries, is called a PhD regardless. It is not uncommon that the person's title or diploma be translated into English as PhD in (that discipline). In these countries, the distinction between professional doctorates and PhDs is less significant.In the context of the Doctor of Philosophy and other similarly titled degrees, the term "philosophy" does not refer to the field or academic discipline of philosophy, but is used in a broader sense in accordance with its original Greek meaning, which is "love of wisdom." In most of Europe, all fields (history, philosophy, social sciences, mathematics, and natural philosophy/sciences) other than theology, law, and medicine (the so-called professional, vocational, or technical curriculum) were traditionally known as philosophy, and in Germany and elsewhere in Europe the basic faculty of liberal arts was known as the "faculty of philosophy."

View More On Wikipedia.org
  1. anandsingh

    Admissions Getting admission in Phd with a 3 year Bachelor Degrre?

    Hi, I am 27 years old. I have completed my B.Sc(Maths, Physics, Computer Science) in 2007. Immediately after that I have got job as a Software Engineer and worked for 2 years(2007-2009). But due to my interest in pursuing Masters in Physics. I have joined in M.Sc(Physics) in 2009 and in final...
  2. P

    What mathematics do physics phd students learn?

    Hello again PF! I think I ask excessively often here so I tried my best to search in google. The result I got was this: http://superstringtheory.com/math/math1.html Well, that appears as all the math there is (no offense to mathematicians)! Likely the field of super string theory is the most...
  3. U

    PhD MUST be on same area as masters degree?

    I'm still an undergraduate but I was wondering about the future and all that. I do like love physics as a whole, but I don't think there is a subfield which I REALLY like or REALLY dislike. I also like "versatility" as a way of life. So I was wondering: "can I move to and from subfields as I...
  4. C

    How competitive is cosmology at the PhD level?

    I am a masters student at some Canadian school best known for astrophysics (and one of the premier schools in the world for white dwarves), dreaming to get into the likes of UPenn (a reach, but not a pipe dream-level reach à la Harvard and Princeton, which some over-ambitious recommender advised...
  5. J

    What options are available for pursuing a PhD in computational physics?

    Undergrad here. Does anyone on this forum have experience working in a computational physics research group at the graduate level? I noticed Carnegie Mellon has "computational physics" as a research area for its physics PhD students. It sounds like it would be right up my alley but it's unclear...
  6. interhacker

    Engineering Starting engineering career after PhD in physics.

    If someone has a Bs in electrical engineering (or pretty much any engineering field), can he spend ~ 6 years pursuing a PhD in physics and then continue his career as an engineer ( in other words, get jobs that require only a Bs in engineering) just in case no good physics jobs are available...
  7. P

    Is more than 1 PhD a waste of time?

    Say you have a PhD in pure mathematics but want credentials for computer science for some reason where it might be necessary (is there such a situation?). Is it a waste of time to also get another PhD in computer science?
  8. F

    Masters or PhD program in engineering physics

    Are there any other places that offer engineering physics other than Cornell for masters or PhD? I couldn't find any except applied physics.
  9. H

    How do I get into top phd program?

    What is the process?
  10. F

    Physics PhD in Physics Theoretical Physicist career problem

    I am interested in getting a PhD in Physics, but I do not want to teach. However, I do want to conduct research, is there anyway, I can have a job as a theoretical physicist working to participate in researches, maybe work in CERN, for the large haldron collider or something, without teaching in...
  11. A

    Phd or master's in electrical engineering?

    Which one is worth more? I don't have much money, and I'm not the type of guy who will get a scholarship. So I want to have a great start in my career. I also want to be financially stable. So what degree should I pursue? Phd or master's?
  12. N

    Phd in physics after bachelor in computer science

    Can I get a Phd in physics after bachelor in computer science I would like know if I'll be eligible for applying to physics or applied physics PhD programs? And if yes, do I have any realistic chance of getting into one?
  13. K

    Grade wise, what does it take to get a PhD in Math or Physics?

    I know grades aren't everything to get into a PhD program, but do know it plays a significant part in determining how well one will do in graduate school. With that being said, what does it take to get accepted into a top 20 math or physics PhD program? I've seen some applicant profiles...
  14. R

    PhD Position in Physics in Germany - Info for Foreigners

    Hello everyone :) I am going to finish my master thesis in physics ( Nano-science ) in Germany at rostock university within the next two months, and i would like to apply for PhD in other city. I am not a German. I would like to ask, whether it is very difficult to get a PhD position in...
  15. O

    Admitted for PhD, Dropping to Masters

    I was admitted to a PhD program for this coming fall, but I've increasingly realized that I don't enjoy research. I actively dislike it, in fact. So obviously a PhD is not possible at this point in my life. My program does offer a coursework-only option for the MS, though, and since I enjoy...
  16. K

    Regretting PhD Choice: Solutions & Advice

    Hey all! I am in a bit of a bad situation. I recently started my PhD in another country, but now I feel that I am regretting it. The main reason is that my girlfriend does not seem to be able to move here (she lives in a different country, also different from where I am from). Right now I just...
  17. P

    PhD in Physics at US after MTech in Electrical Engg.

    Hello everyone, I need advice related to my career. I have been working in semiconductor company as an engineer for 2 years now after gradating from IIT Madras(one of the reputed technical institution in India) with a Dual Degree(BTech + MTech in 5 years) in Electrical Engg with VLSI as...
  18. F

    2 year gap between BS completion and start of PhD.

    Looking for some feedback on this. I will have (by next month) completed a BS in physics and a BS in mechanical engineering. I applied to 5 nuclear engineering PhD programs, got into 2 but neither offered funding (tuition waiver + TA/RA). I've decided to work for 2 years. Over the next 2 years I...
  19. F

    Schools Funded PhD at UC Riverside or unfunded masters at Brown University

    Hi All, I've been accepted to UC Riverside's PhD program in physics and Brown University's ScM program in physics for Fall 2014. UCR is funded and Brown offers no financial support with a tuition of ~$46,000. So its a risk of possibly paying ~140,000 with tuition/living expenses/etc…, but I...
  20. C

    Should I Choose a Young PhD Adviser Without Tenure?

    Is it a bad idea to choose a PhD adviser who is relatively young and hasn't reached "associate" professor yet? This guy is still an "assistant" professor without tenure. He got his PhD a few years ago so he is pretty new and as a result he does very new and interesting research. Should I not...
  21. C

    Choosing a PhD Adviser - Advice on Making the Right Choice

    I just got into the mechanical engineering PhD program at my school and I am slightly confused about the best way to choose a PhD adviser. I am currently working with a professor from undergrad research that I would like to stay with, but he is not 100% confident about funding... Do all...
  22. B

    Plasma Physics PhD in the US vs UK

    I'm a Physics student in the UK planning to apply for a PhD in Plasma Physics this autumn, in the area of Magnetic Confinement Fusion (MCF) specifically. The UK has a rather limited MCF university network, with only 3 universities playing a significant part. Two of these, Oxford and Imperial...
  23. C

    PhD Physics in Europe with Low Grade but a potential Publication

    Hello Friends, My name is Chetan Waghela and I have done M.Sc Physics from Pune University, India. My specialisation course has been Quantum Field Theory but I want to work on more application based subjects like BEC or Quantum Optics. I have very low grades i.e...
  24. N

    PhD not technically in physics, need advice

    So, I'm coming up to the last year of undergrad physics at Oxford Uni, and am starting to think about PhDs. I'm really interested in medical physics, particularly MRI, so I figured this would be a great thing to apply for PhDs in. Problem is, MRI tends not to fall within the department of...
  25. S

    Engineering PhD - everything should be decent but the GPA

    I have great research experience, letter writers, GRE scores, and have ideas for a good SOP, but I have a GPA of 3.3 in engineering. Is it still worth it to try to get into decent programs (read: Top 30), or should I just give up and head for the industry? Whenever people talk about GPA vs...
  26. _Daniel_

    PhD on Loop Quantum Gravity (at UK): What's the best option?

    Hello guys! I hope that you could help me. I want to do my PhD on LQG at the UK and I have the following options: Newcastle, with David Toms. (His research area is QFT on curved spacetime but he liked my project on LQG) Aberdeen, with Charles Wang Nottingham, with Kirill Krasnov or John...
  27. _Daniel_

    PhD on LGC (UK): What's the best option?

    Hello guys! I hope that you could help me. I want to do my PhD on LQG at the UK and I have the following options: Newcastle, with David Toms. (His research area is QFT on curved spacetime but he liked my project on LQG) Aberdeen, with Charles Wang Nottingham, with Kirill Krasnov or John...
  28. L

    Mech Engineer to a PhD in Physics

    Hi, I'm a graduate in Mechanical Engineering (BEng 1st). The idea of further study has interested me for many years but I have never acted on it. Currently after working for a year and a half in the oil and gas industry I have the further education bug again, but I would love to follow it this...
  29. E

    Finding the Right OS for a PhD Student: Making the Best Choice

    Hi all, I am currently a electrical engineering PhD student, and I spend a huge amount of my time on a computer and I plan to do so in the future as well. So, I thought it is wise to look around for another OS to use besides Windows 8, which is tolerable and works but I can't help but think...
  30. S

    Want to have a PhD with full funding

    Hi, I want to have a PhD in Electrical Engineering in US. Is there any grad school where an international student can get full funding with certainty? Also, is there any grad school which does not cost me more than 15K annually in tuition fees and other related stuffs? Thanks
  31. G

    PhD in Physics at UCI vs Materials Science and Engineering UCR

    I have a 2 year TA offer at UC Irvine for physics (~$18k) where I would focus on Condensed Matter experiment or the chemicals and materials physics program(this program is easier and offers a 10 week summer research program before grad school begins). Degree time is usually 6-7 years. The...
  32. J

    PhD in Accelerator Physics (EE or Physics?)

    Hi folks, I have a BSEE and am interested in pursuing a PhD focused on accelerator physics. I had originally planned for an EE PhD in RF/Microwave, but after reading ZapperZ's accelerator physics thread and doing a bit of reading, I find myself drawn in this direction. I've looked at some...
  33. C

    Columbia APAM (Math/Physics) PHD program

    link to program http://apam.columbia.edu/applied-mathematics i'm currently getting masters in applied mathematics (at top 40 univ) and I'm curious about two things: 1) how hard is it to get into APAM program for PHD? 2) what are some schools with similar program? I really like...
  34. C

    Leaving PhD program with a Masters

    Could someone advise me on starting a PhD program and leaving after 2 years with a Masters? Do people do this and what are the problems associated with such a course of action? For example is getting recommendation letters a problem and so on... The reason I need to know about this is that it...
  35. J

    Staying at the same school for Undergrad, Masters and PhD in Math?

    Hi everyone, So right now I'm an undergrad who is considering getting my Masters and PhD in math. However, I had one question. If someone wants to work in Academia, is it "bad" to get all three degrees from the same place? Where I'm currently studying, some of the professors in the math...
  36. M

    Programs Biomaterials engineering PhD programs with a physics degree

    I'm currently a physics major in my junior year, and was wondering how difficult it would be to bridge into bio-related materials and devices engineering. For a while I've had plans to pursue a materials science and engineering PhD, but have recently been drawn to biomaterials and soft matter...
  37. J

    Interested in PhD but no research experience

    Hello all, I'm interested in any advice anyone can offer me. I graduated with a BSEE a few years ago and then worked in an electronics role for a little over a year. I saved enough money while working to quit my job, travel for awhile, and ponder my future. Even while working, I felt the pull...
  38. stardust

    Accelerated Master's Program VS Phd

    I've heard that often in the sciences(in my case, physics), that students often go straight from their undergraduate degree to a Phd. I've a also heard that this saves some time and money as you basically earn a masters as you go while being funded. Now at my school there is an accelerated...
  39. G

    Can You Succeed in Science with Just a Master's Degree?

    A lot of jobs that I see where you do actual interesting science seem to require having a PhD. Are there reasonable possibilities for doing that with having "only" a Master's in physics? I know that I could increase my employability if I got a PhD, but I'm not looking at getting one at the...
  40. F

    Wisconsin or Michigan for nuclear engineering (fusion) PhD?

    I'm looking for some input on this. Wisconsin has the better programs for MHD theory, CFD, and my undergrad advisor told me IHO it has the best plasma physics program period. However Michigan offers more options in applied plasmas in areas other than fusion energy. Honestly, I don't know if...
  41. S

    PhD in Robotics/Electronics Engineering?

    I am currently only a freshman in general engineering, but I plan on transferring to NC State University for computer engineering. I know it is early, but I figured it couldn't hurt to ask. What opportunities can a PhD present that a MS cannot? Also, I looked at some of the masters programs...
  42. T

    Who picks your research topic for a PhD?

    For example, if your advisor specializes in gravity, but has a subfield specialty (like Horava-Lifschitz gravity) and most of their papers for the last several years are about that subspecialty, does that mean your thesis research will be about that, or could it be about any gravitational thing?
  43. N

    Schools Any University offering a PhD in Analytics ?

    Hi, I am looking for a PhD program in Analytics. Can anybody help me in shortlisting universities which have PhD programs in Analytics ? My GRE Score is 329/340. Engg CGPA- 6.79/10 and MBA :- 5.09/8. Does work experience count during application ? What weightage do research papers carry...
  44. K

    Any Univeristy offering PhD in Building/Designing/Creating some stuff?

    Hi all, As of now I have an engineering analysis job. I liked machines always but now I feel that I don't like analysis that much. Little bit of analysis or new analysis is what I may like. I am already having a Masters and was considering Phd degree as my next move. To be frank, I now feel...
  45. M

    Can Lack of Direction Lead to Depression in PhD Students?

    Am I suitable to do a PhD?? Hey guys, I''m having a bit of a crisis atm and need some help. I'm sure this is a pretty common thing to happen to most people at my stage, but we will see. It has come to my own realisation that I can get easily depressed when I lack a certain direction in my...
  46. Q

    Where Can I Find a PhD in Quantum Computing with Active Research Groups?

    I want to do a PhD in Quantum Computing. Which universities in English-speaking countries have prominent research groups in this field? Most universities I checked have a Quantum Information group, and they usually mention the term "Quantum Computing" somewhere on their website, but it's not...
  47. C

    Is there an age to begin a PhD?

    For some circumstances in my life I was not able to give steady continuation to my studies, so now I want to do a PhD but I have seen that some people finish their PhD by the age of 26-28. I am 25 so my question is: Am I too old to start a PhD? Thank you.
  48. M

    Schools PhD in Germany (Names of Universities)

    I wanted to ask about universities in Germany (top in Theoretical Physics) and I am here talking about PhD degree knowing that I have M.S degree (an American one). So, I would be grateful if you give me names so I can get in contact with professors there. Great thanks.
  49. S

    Is a PhD obtained at 40 years old useless for research?

    Assuming the person is of capable intelligence, what research prospects are there for someone who obtained their PhD at 40 years old? I'd specifically like to hear opinions about PhDs of theoretical physics, experimental physics, pure mathematics, and theoretical computer science.
  50. Hercuflea

    Schools How much free time do you have in graduate school (engineering phd)?

    Hello PF. I recently was accepted to a PhD program in nuclear engineering. I am planning on attending for the duration of my phd. I just wanted to ask from those of you who have successfully completed graduate school...how much time does it take? I did a research program last summer so I...
Back
Top