The Ph.D. degree qualifies the recipient to pursue work as a professional physicist. It also readies them for a variety of careers involving analytical thinking, and experimental or computational skills.
Physics Ph.D. Degree
Physics Ph.D.
Students in our Physics Ph.D. program develop an understanding of physical laws and principles, gain experience with measurement techniques and equipment, and develop analytical skills and the ability to solve problems.
Physics graduate students learn how to assess uncertainties and assumptions and use mathematics. They also have the opportunity to pursue research that employs forefront computational and machine learning methods in their research. Working with internationally renowned faculty, our Ph.D. students present their work at conferences and author journal articles about their scholarly discoveries.
Physics Ph.D. candidates complete an original, scholarly piece of research as their Ph.D. dissertation. The department's research activities are broad and include astrophysics and cosmology, biophysics, condensed matter and surface sciences, and nuclear and particle physics.
Careers with a Physics Ph.D.
Choose a Research Area
Experimental and theoretical studies take place in these areas. Inter-disciplinary and inter-departmental programs also are possible.
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Astrophysics and Cosmology
Learn the physical principles behind the workings and evolution of the universe and its structures, including stars, black holes, galaxies, and cosmological large-scale structure. Combine observational and theoretical studies with the option of a thesis or dissertation project in observational or theoretical astrophysics. Observational work can be completed with 51ĀŅĀ×ās share of the MDM observatory and/or other national and international observatories.
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Biophysics
Learn the physics, mathematics and life science principles involved in this strong interdisciplinary field of research, where concepts of physics, mathematics and biology combine. Our Quantitative Biology Institute, the interdisciplinary Neuroscience Program and the Bioengineering Program facilitate this advanced training. Work in collaboration with biologists, bioengineers and mathematicians and learn how to utilize emerging computing technologies.
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Nanoscience
Learn the basic principles that govern the physics of condensed matter physics, including phenomena at atomic, nano-, meso- and macroscopic scales for crystalline solids and amorphous materials. The program combines experimental and theoretical studies in all these areas. Conduct experimental work with state-of-the-art Athens facilities and/or in collaboration with national facilities. Research on theoretical physics range from analytic model development to computational physics.
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Nuclear and Particle Physics
Learn the basic principles that govern sub-atomic particles, from the quark-and-gluon substructure of nucleons to how complex nuclei are composed. The program includes both theoretical and experimental components as well as the application of nuclear physics to astrophysics. Experimental work is performed in the on-campus Edwards Accelerator Laboratory or at external facilities including the Thomas Jefferson and Brookhaven national laboratories. Theoretical research includes computational investigations as well as analytic models.
Physics Ph.D. Courses & Degree Requirements
The Ph.D. in Physics requires a minimum of 90 credit hours. Students taking the normal load of three courses per semester in year 1 and one to two courses per semester throughout the second and third year of study usually complete the program in 5-6 years.
Core Courses
Students pursuing a Ph.D. in Physics are required to pass the set of core courses (PHYS 5041, 6001, 6011, 6021, 6021, and 6031) typically in their first year.
Coursework Beyond the Core
Course requirements after the first year include a lab course, a computational physics course, and four elective courses, at least one of which must be in an area outside the studentās area of research specialization.
About Your Dissertation
At the end of a student's first year of graduate study, his or her suitability for Ph.D. work will be evaluated by the full Physics & Astronomy faculty. This evaluation will be based primarily on the student's GPA in the six core courses. Students who pass this assessment are said to have passed the comps. After passing the comps, students form a Dissertation Committee in consultation with their research advisor.
Qualifications for Ph.D. Candidacy
Physics & Astronomy Colloquium Series
Participation in the weekly colloquium, PHYS 8001, is required of all graduate students. Participation in one of the area-specific seminar series and in special topics courses also is encouraged.
Teaching and Research Assistantships
Virtually all graduate students in the Department of Physics & Astronomy are supported financially, usually via a Teaching Assistantship (TA) during their first one or two years and a Research Assistantship (RA) thereafter. There are no separate forms on which to apply for financial aid. On the online application, under department funding, check all of the boxes that apply.
Resources
Research Opportunities
Related Programs
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Physics M.S.The M.S. is the minimal professional qualification for most physicist and astrophysicist positions in the United States. Our Master of Science degree is earned through a combination of research and coursework and through either a research thesis or a non-thesis option.
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Physics M.A.The M.A. is for special cases and usually involves substantial work in other fields. Candidates must follow an approved program filed with the Departmental Graduate Committee and submit a scholarly paper based on these studies for approval by at least two readers.