Department of Physics and Astronomy, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Office: 502 Nielsen Physics Building Phone: (865) 974-7837 Fax: (865) 974-7843 E-mail: sjohn145@utk.edu Mailing address: The University of Tennessee Department of Physics and Astronomy 401 Nielsen Physics Building 1408 Circle Drive Knoxville, TN 37996-1200 USA For a campus map, click here.
Thesis Committee Requests — I will only join your dissertation committee if I feel I can provide a meaningful contribution to your project. If you would like me to be a member of your committee, please make an appointment to meet with me to discuss your proposed research. Also, be aware that I require that students provide me with copies of all written documents several weeks before their committee meetings or their defense date. For your comprehensive exam, I need two weeks; for your final dissertation, I need five to six weeks, depending on the length. This period ensures that there is sufficient time for me to read your documents and provide meaningful feedback.
Letters of Recommendation — If you would like me to write a letter of recommendation for you, please ask me at least three weeks in advance of the deadline. I will usually need a current copy of your curriculum vitae (CV) or resume and a brief description of the nature of the position/scholarship you are applying for (or a link to the relevant information). This material will make it easier for me to write a compelling letter on your behalf. If I agree to write a recommendation for you, I will always let you know when I have submitted the letter. Please feel free to send me a reminder email a few days before the due date if you have not heard from me. But most importantly, before asking me, please reflect on whether or not I am the appropriate person to write a letter; I will refuse the request if I cannot provide an informed recommendation for you.