Oklahoma State University

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4. a proposed course of study with an endorsement from an OSU faculty adviser. Particular courses are not specified for the degree; the advisory committee can assist in selecting appropriate courses. The course of study must include at least 21 credit hours at the graduate level (5000 or above). Up to nine graduate hours can be transferred from a regionally- accredited graduate program with consent of the advisory committee.

as high speed optoelectronics applications to fundamental and applied problems in the THz frequency range. Other investigations center on the preparation and characterization of specialty-doped insulators and semiconductors for use as lasing materials, non-linear optical crystals for data storage and holographic applications, and photonic-based chemical, physical and biochemical environmental sensors. Research programs in the biomedical applications of lasers at both the basic research and clinical application levels seek to understand the interaction of light with biological materials at the tissue, cellular and molecular levels. 16.4.3 Admission Requirements. Students with a BS degree in physics, electrical engineering, chemistry (or related fields) are welcome to apply to the PhD photonics program. No additional tests (such as the GRE) are required, but such scores may be submitted in support of an application. A TOEFL score of at least 600 is required of international students. Applications should include: 1. a cover letter indicating the program of specialization and whether the student wishes to be considered by that program for a fellowship or teaching assistantship; 2. a personal statement of interests and goals, noting especially how they relate to the degree in photonics; 3. transcripts of all previous academic work (an unofficial transcript will suffice for the application; official transcripts are required by the Graduate College after admission.); and 4. the names and email addresses of three persons who have been requested to submit letters of reference. 16.4.4 Financial Aid. Most students entering the photonics programs are offered a graduate teaching assistantship in their home department. A student pursuing an original research project may receive support as a graduate research assistant (RA) through grants and contracts to the individual faculty member who serves as the adviser. 16.5 Plant Science. William Henley, PhD—Program Coordinator Solutions to current problems in plant science often require integration of knowledge from a number of disciplines. The Plant Science program at OSU provides the opportunity for the exceptional PhD student to develop an academic and research program tailored to his or her individual interests and needs. Faculty participating in this program comes from the departments of Plant Biology, Ecology and Evolution, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Botany, Entomology and Plant Pathology, Forestry, Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, and Plant and Soil Science. The multidisciplinary nature of this program allows students to experience many facets of plant science and affords them the flexibility to seek employment in a variety of settings in the plant sciences. Students, in consultation with their graduate committees, develop a program in one of three specialization areas (cellular and molecular, organismal or ecological), but are expected to develop a sound foundation across all disciplines of plant study. 16.5.1 Admission Requirements. Application for admission includes a statement defining plant science interests, a resume, three letters of reference, an abstract of the Master of Science thesis (if applicable), GRE scores (the Advanced Biology GRE is also desirable), and a minimum TOEFL of 88iBT/570PBT. A student must be accepted by a faculty adviser prior to official admission.

The student chooses one of the two master's degree plans: 1. a 30-hour plan, including a six-hour research thesis;

2. a 32-hour plan, non-thesis. May include a culminating experience (e.g., internship, practicum, comprehensive exam, portfolio, or capstone project); may include a final report with no more than three hours of research; 16.4 Photonics.

Al Rosenberger, PhD—Program Coordinator Rama Ramakumar, PhD—Program Coordinator

OSU offers a multidisciplinary program leading to the PhD degree in photonics. The program draws on the faculties of the departments of Physics and Electrical and Computer Engineering. A student typically chooses either of these as his or her "home department" on the basis of academic background and research interests. A multidisciplinary program of coursework is tailored to the goals of each individual student mentored by a chosen faculty member from the home department and guided by the advisory committee. The PhD program provides a biophotonics specialization with faculty from the departments of Chemistry or Microbiology and Molecular Chemistry, or the College of Veterinary Medicine serving as research advisers. For information regarding the Photonics option in either the MS in Physics or MS in Electrical and Computer Engineering, see the relevant departmental section of the Catalog. 16.4.1 Doctoral Program Requirements. A total of 72 credit hours beyond the BS (60 beyond the MS) degree are required for the PhD in Photonics. All students must form a preliminary advisory committee to guide them initially in the Photonics PhD program. Eventually a student chooses a permanent research adviser who chairs the graduate research committee. Coursework is taken from the basic and advanced courses offered by the Departments of Physics and Electrical and Computer Engineering. Courses from other departments may also be recommended by the graduate research committee. In addition, students are required to take two or more Photonics tutorials, offered by faculty in their research lab, emphasizing particular research problems and techniques. A preliminary exam is administered usually during the student's second year in the PhD program. Admission to PhD candidacy follows the successful completion of the qualifying exam. The focus of the PhD program is the completion of a faculty directed research project and the defense of the resulting dissertation. A detailed Plan of Study specific to the research specialization chosen is formulated by the student in consultation with the advisory committee. 16.4.2 Research Opportunities. The faculty emphasizes both basic and applied interdisciplinary research. To accomplish this, in addition to a myriad of state-of-the-art laser systems and computational facilities, the OSU campus houses two molecular beam epitaxial (MBE) growth and analysis facilities and unique optoelectronics THz beam systems. Current research programs include quantum optics, quantum cryptology, "whispering gallery modes," experimental and calculational programs in nanostructured materials, optical fiber communications and optical circuits for computing as well