Offered by Chapman University's Schmid College of Science and Technology, the Doctor of Science degree in Mathematics, Philosophy and Physics (MPP) is equivalent to a Ph.D. and is an innovative post-master's-level, cross-disciplinary research doctoral program focusing on the foundational pillars of the sciences. Following traditions dating back to Plato, the program emphasizes the fundamental relationship between mathematics, philosophy and the physical sciences. The MPP program acknowledges that achieving a more complete understanding requires not only mastering depth within a particular discipline but also exploring the broader context and mutual influences between all three fundamental disciplines.
The MPP program encourages strong and authentic interdisciplinary collaboration with a vibrant intellectual culture. The successful student will be awarded a D.Sc. degree with an emphasis in one of the primary foundational disciplines and will also develop a deeper understanding of how their primary discipline interacts with and is informed by cross-disciplinary connections to the other disciplines. As a post-master's-level doctoral program, the program consists of 54 credits completed over a three-year research-focused curriculum leading to a D.Sc. degree. The curriculum contains few didactic courses, which serve to train students in research and communication skills common to all three disciplines. The remaining research credits are personalized to each student’s background in close collaboration with their primary adviser and interdisciplinary thesis committee, with the goal of enabling the student to produce high-quality and competitive doctoral research in their primary discipline.
Students will graduate well-prepared for their future career goals, with a D.Sc. degree that is recognized as fully equivalent to a Ph.D. in both the academic and industrial job sectors.
The Doctor of Science MPP program offers up to six funded fellowship positions per academic year in addition to grant-funded positions that may be arranged in consultation with specific advisers.