DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICS AND ASTRONOMY
GRADUATE PROGRAM DESCRIPTION:

MA, MS and PHD in PHYSICS

Graduate Catalog Entry

The Department of Physics and Astronomy offers both physics and astrophysics tracks to the Ph.D as well as a Ph.D. with M.B.A. option. The programs are characterized by close interactions between faculty members and students, with courses of study and research specifically designed for the background and interests of each student. Currently eight faculty members are involved in teaching and directing the research of about fourteen full-time, and six part-time Ph.D. graduate students and a few post-doctoral fellows. Small graduate lecture classes averaging about five students encourage frequent and direct contact with faculty. Dissertation research involves close collaboration between a student and a professor working to solve a challenging research problem. Students are encouraged to begin research early in their first year. The average time to the Ph.D. is 4.5 years, with a maximum of 5 years. The department has research programs in experimental atomic, molecular, and solid state physics, theoretical physics, and observational astronomy.

Our Ph.D. graduates have enjoyed remarkable professional success in a wide variety of careers in teaching and research at universities and colleges, in industrial and government research laboratories and in high technology businesses.

• Successful completion of a B.S. degree or its equivalent with a major in physics, astronomy or closely related field with a GPA of at least 3.0 on a scale of 4.0.
• Satisfactory GRE test scores.
• TOEFL test for students applying from outside the US with a minimum score of 590.
• Applicants holding a Master's degree with completed coursework equivalent to our core Ph.D. requirements may begin dissertation research immediately with little or no additional course work.

Applications
The graduate brochure gives details on faculty, research areas, courses, and the career outcomes of our Ph.D.s. Check it out!

Applications are welcome at all times but for fullest consideration target October 1 for spring admission and February 1 for fall. Apply online or click here to download the pdf application.

Ph.D. program requirements

• Successful completion of 18 hours of specified courses in the core areas of physics and/or astrophysics, depending on the track.
• Recommended, additional advanced courses on the student's chosen area of research and career objectives.
• Admission to candidacy for the Ph.D. on the successful presentation of a seminar and written report on preliminary research and an oral exam.
• Successful completion and oral defense of the dissertation.

For more information about faculty and research oppurtunities, please visit the Department website

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