Application deadline: January 1 Admission RequirementsThe prerequisite for admission to the doctoral program in the Department of Physics and Astronomy is a bachelor’s (or master’s) degree in physics or related field. Transcripts of undergraduate records as well as transcripts of any graduate-level courses are required. The TOEFL or IELTS is required of international students applying for a teaching assistantship as well as for those applying for admission only. Applicants may be admitted to the program at the beginning of the fall or spring semester. PhD students in physics normally complete the 5 required courses and one elective in the first two semesters in graduate school. A total of 60 units of credit is required for graduation. Students admitted to the PhD program may transfer a maximum of 30 units of credit to apply toward degree requirements. For students admitted with Advanced Standing (entry with an appropriate completed graduate degree from an accredited institution), a minimum of 36 units of course work beyond that graduate degree, exclusive of PHYS 794a and PHYS 794b , will be required. Foreign Language RequirementThere is no foreign language requirement for the PhD. Course RequirementsThe student is expected to have prepared for understanding all branches of physics. The required courses for the PhD are (1) the following five core courses: PHYS 504 , PHYS 508a , PHYS 510 , PHYS 518 , and PHYS 558a ; (2) a minimum of four additional/elective courses, summing to at least 12 units. These additional/elective courses would be graduate-level or 400-level courses in Physics and Astronomy that are not core courses. Graduate courses offered by other departments at USC could also be taken to meet this requirement, but prior approval of each course by the department is required; (3) four semesters of PHYS 500 or three semesters of PHYS 500 and one semester of PHYS 650 ; and (4) PHYS 794a and PHYS 794b . All required physics courses (except PHYS 500 and PHYS 794a , PHYS 794b , PHYS 794c , PHYS 794d , and PHYS 794z ) must be passed with a grade of B- or better. After passing the qualifying examination the student must register for PHYS 794a , PHYS 794b , PHYS 794c , PHYS 794d , or PHYS 794z Doctoral Dissertation each fall and spring semester. Screening ProcedureAny student proceeding toward the PhD in physics must pass the departmental screening examination at a superior level. The exam must be taken not later than during the second year in the department. New advanced students who have passed an equivalent comprehensive examination at a well-recognized research university with superior grades may apply to the departmental examination committee for an oral interview in order to be exempted from the written screening examination. A faculty member who supervises the research of such a student in the department must support this application. Qualifying Exam CommitteeThe graduate adviser serves as adviser to incoming students and assists in the appointment of the qualifying exam committee, which is formed after the screening examination has been passed. After the student passes the qualifying examination and a dissertation topic is approved, the five-member qualifying exam committee becomes the dissertation committee and is responsible for monitoring the candidate’s progress and for approving the final content and form of the dissertation. Qualifying ExaminationThe qualifying examination must be attempted not later than during the seventh semester (or in the case of advanced students, the fifth semester) in the department (excluding summer). The PhD qualifying examination contains a written part and an oral part. The written part consists of a critical review by the student of a published work selected by the qualifying exam committee and of a research proposal prepared by the student on the area in which the student intends to do a doctoral dissertation. The oral part expands on the written part. DissertationA doctoral dissertation in physics is expected to be an extensive description of original research carried out by the student. A complete discussion of reported research in relation to previous work by others is essential. Defense of the DissertationThe dissertation must be defended in a final oral examination. The candidate must be prepared to answer general questions in the field as well as specific questions regarding the dissertation. Core CoursesFive required core courses. - PHYS 504 Advanced Mechanics Units: 3
- PHYS 508a Advanced Electricity and Magnetism Units: 3
- PHYS 510 Methods of Theoretical Physics Units: 3
- PHYS 518 Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics Units: 3
- PHYS 558a Quantum Mechanics Units: 3
A minimum of four elective graduate courses in Physics and Astronomy (or, with departmental approval, in related departments) - ASTR 540 Advanced Cosmology Units: 3
- ASTR 740 Selected Topics in Astrophysics Units: 3
- EE 514 Quantum Error Correction Units: 4
- EE 520 Introduction to Quantum Information Processing Units: 4
- EE 589 Quantum Information Theory Units: 4
- PHYS 502 Advanced Optics Units: 3
- PHYS 508b Advanced Electricity and Magnetism Units: 3
- PHYS 513 Applications of Quantum Computing Units: 4
- PHYS 514 Methods of Experimental Physics Units: 3
- PHYS 516 Methods of Computational Physics Units: 3
- PHYS 520 Methods for Complex Systems Units: 3
- PHYS 530 Relativity Units: 3
- PHYS 540 Solid State Physics Units: 3
- PHYS 550 Theory of Open Quantum Systems Units: 4
- PHYS 558b Quantum Mechanics Units: 3
- PHYS 559 Quantum Devices Units: 4
- PHYS 630 Science of Nanoscale Materials Units: 3
- PHYS 640 Advanced Condensed Matter Physics Units: 3
- PHYS 660 Quantum Information Science and Many-Body Physics Units: 3
- PHYS 668 Advanced Quantum Mechanics Units: 3
- PHYS 669a Group Theory and Symmetries in Physics Units: 3
- PHYS 669b Group Theory and Symmetries in Physics Units: 3
- PHYS 670 High Energy Physics Units: 3
- PHYS 678 Relativistic Quantum Field Theory Units: 3
- PHYS 680 Advanced Quantum Field Theory Units: 3
- PHYS 682 Supersymmetric Field Theory Units: 3
- PHYS 684 Advanced String Theory Units: 3
- PHYS 690 Introduction to Physical Biology Units: 3
- PHYS 710 Selected Topics in Experimental Physics Units: 3
- PHYS 720 Selected Topics in Theoretical Physics Units: 3
- PHYS 730 Selected Topics in Particle Physics Units: 3
- PHYS 740 Selected Topics in Condensed Matter Physics Units: 3
Introduction to Research4 semesters of PHYS 500, or 3 semesters of PHYS 500 and one semester of PHYS 650. - PHYS 500 Graduate Colloquium Units: 1
- PHYS 650 Topics in Current Research Units: 2
- PHYS 794a Doctoral Dissertation Units: 2
- PHYS 794b Doctoral Dissertation Units: 2
Graduate AdmissionsThe selection of the Ph.D. students admitted to the Department of Physics is based on an individualized, holistic review of each application, including (but not limited to) the student's academic record, the letters of recommendation, the statement of purpose, past accomplishments, and talent for research in physics. Applicants should keep in mind that attributes such as persistence, enthusiasm, and intellectual creativity can play a significant role in the evaluation of the aptitude of a candidate to graduate school. For the 2025-26 application cycle, the General GRE or Physics GRE scores will be accepted but are not a required part of a complete application. Applications must be submitted by the middle of December to be considered for the following Autumn Quarter. In January and February of each year, the Physics Department Graduate Admission Committee reviews each application. All applicants will be notified of their admission status by March 1st. The Physics Department recognizes that the Supreme Court issued a ruling in June 2023 about the consideration of certain types of demographic information as part of an admission review. All applications submitted during upcoming application cycles will be reviewed in conformance with that decision. The Department does not offer a separate program for the M.S. degree, but this degree may be awarded for a portion of the Ph.D. degree work with approval from the Department. Graduate students have opportunities for research in theoretical physics, AMO physics, ultra-fast lasers, particle and nuclear physics, condensed matter physics, quantum information and control, cosmology, astrophysics, and gravitation. Opportunities for research are also available with the faculty at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory in the areas of theoretical and experimental particle physics, cosmology and astrophysics, accelerator design, and photon science. In Applied Physics there are opportunities in the areas of theoretical and experimental condensed matter physics, materials research, quantum electronics, and novel imaging technology. The application deadline for this academic year 2024-25 (2025-26 admissions cycle) is 11:59pm Pacific Standard Time, Monday, December 16, 2024 . The application submission deadline is a hard deadline and no late applications are accepted, no exceptions. We strongly suggest you do not wait until the last day to submit in case you encounter any difficulties.- Three letters of recommendation, preferably including at least one from a research group.
- Upload one scanned version of your official transcript(s) in the online application (see File Upload Requirements ). Official transcripts are preferred, however, if obtaining official transcripts is financially burdensome, we will accept unofficial transcripts at the time of application. For those that are offered admission to our program, we will require submission of official transcripts for accepted students before matriculation.
- The TOEFL exam is required for applicants whose first language is not English. It must be taken within the last two years. The TOEFL is waived for applicants who have recently completed or will complete a Bachelor's degree, or a 2-year Master's program, in the U.S. or in another English-speaking country. See the Graduate Admissions GRE/TOEFL FAQ for detailed information.
- The GRE General and Physics exam scores will be accepted but are not required in the 2025-26 application cycle (2024-25 academic year).
The Department of Physics welcomes graduate applications from individuals with a broad range of life experiences, perspectives, and backgrounds who would contribute to our community of scholars. Review of applications is holistic and individualized, considering each applicant’s academic record and accomplishments, letters of recommendation, and admissions essays in order to understand how an applicant’s life experiences have shaped their past and potential contributions to their field. The department is interested in understanding and mitigating barriers to access to all of our programs, including barriers based on citizenship status, accessibility, or financial or logistical challenges. If you are interested in our graduate program but there are barriers that limit your ability to apply given our current procedures, we would appreciate hearing from you. Please fill out this brief form . Not all students have equal access to information on the graduate admission process. The department is interested in helping those who may need additional guidance in applying to graduate programs in Physics. If you are interested in attending a Q&A panel to hear from current graduate students about applying to graduate programs please fill out this form . https://forms.gle/oY6y9L3dpHQe9XN47 ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS- Diversity & Inclusion
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Admissions Information for Prospective Graduate StudentsThank you for considering the PhD program in Physics at MIT. Information regarding our graduate program and our application process can be found below and through the following webpages and other links on this page. If your questions are not answered after reviewing this information, please contact us at [email protected] . Here are some links to pages relevant to prospective students: - Material Required for a Complete Application , and information about When/How to Apply can be found below on this page.
- We have an FAQ which should help to answer many questions, and we provide Application Assistance from staff and students if you don’t find what you need in the FAQ.
- Additional Guidance about the application itself, along with examples, can be found on a separate page. The graduate application is available at https://apply.mit.edu/apply/ .
- General information about the graduate program and research areas in the physics department may also be of use.
- MSRP (MIT Summer Research Program) is designed to give underrepresented and underserved students access to an MIT research experience, pairing each student with a faculty member who will oversee the student conducting a research project at MIT.
Statement regarding admissions process during COVID Pandemic (Updated Summer 2023)MIT has adopted the following principle: MIT’s admissions committees and offices for graduate and professional schools will take the significant disruptions of the COVID-19 outbreak in 2020 into account when reviewing students’ transcripts and other admissions materials as part of their regular practice of performing individualized, holistic reviews of each applicant. In particular, as we review applications now and in the future, we will respect decisions regarding the adoption of Pass/No Record (or Credit/No Credit or Pass/Fail) and other grading options during the unprecedented period of COVID-19 disruptions, whether those decisions were made by institutions or by individual students. We also expect that the individual experiences of applicants will richly inform applications and, as such, they will be considered with the entirety of a student’s record. Ultimately, even in these challenging times, our goal remains to form graduate student cohorts that are collectively excellent and composed of outstanding individuals who will challenge and support one another. Questions or concerns about this statement should be directed to the Physics Department ( [email protected] ). Applying to the MIT Department of PhysicsWe know that the application process can be time-consuming, stressful, and costly. We are committed to reducing these barriers and to helping all applicants receive a full and fair assessment by our faculty reviewers. Help is available from the Physics Graduate Admissions Office at [email protected] and additional assistance from current students is offered during the admissions season. Further details are described at the end of this page in our Assistance for Prospective Applicants section. The list below describes the important elements of a complete application. Please reach out to us at [email protected] if you have a concern or logistical difficulty that could prevent you from providing your strongest application. Required for a Complete Application1. online application and application fee. - MIT Graduate Admissions Online Graduate Application
- Application Fee: $90
2. University Transcript(s)Unofficial transcripts are sufficient for our initial review, with final transcripts required as a condition of matriculation for successful applicants. Applicants should include a scan of their transcript(s) and, if a degree is in progress, should include a list of the class subjects being taken in the current semester. The portal will allow applicants to log back into the application after the deadline to add their Fall term grades when they are available. Note: We will respect decisions regarding the adoption of Pass/No Record (or Credit/No Credit or Pass/Fail) and other grading options during the unprecedented period of COVID-19 disruptions, whether those decisions were made by institutions or by individual students. 3. Standardized Test Results- GRE Tests : The Physics GRE (PGRE) is recommended but not required for graduate applications. All applications will be given full consideration with or without GRE scores.
- TOEFL or IELTS Test or a waiver is required for non-native English speakers. MIT’s TOEFL school code is 3514; the code for the Department of Physics is 76. IELTS does not require a code. Eligibility for TOEFL/IELTS waivers is in our FAQ section .
- Self-reported scores are sufficient for our initial application screening, with official scores required for admitted students as a condition of their offer. Applicants should attach a scanned copy of their test score report.
4. Letters of RecommendationLetters should include any individual work applicants have done and/or areas where they have special strengths. It is possible to submit up to 6 total letters, but 3 are sufficient for a complete application and committee members may evaluate applications based on the first three letters that they read. 5. Statement of ObjectivesResearch is central to graduate study in physics. The Statement of Objectives/Purpose should include descriptions of research projects, aptitude and achievements as completely as possible. This important part of the application provides an opportunity to describe any interests, skills, and background relative to the research areas selected on the application form. Applicants should share anything that prepares them for graduate studies and describe their proudest achievements. Additional Application Materials- Research, Teaching, and Community Engagement – Any special background or achievement that prepares the applicant for Physics graduate studies at MIT. This may include research at their undergraduate school as part of their Bachelor or Master degree, or summer research at another program or school. We also value our student’s contributions to their community on a variety of scales (from institutional to societal) and we encourage applicants to tell us about their teaching and community engagement activities. The “experience” questions are intended to provide a CV-like listing of achievements, some of which may be elaborated on in the “Statement of Objectives” and/or the optional “Personal Statement”.
- Publications, Talks, and Merit Based Recognition – Recognition of success in research, academics, and outreach can take many forms, including publications, talks, honors, prizes, awards, fellowships, etc. This may include current nominations for scholarships or papers submitted for publication.
- Optional Personal Statement – Members of our community come from a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences. We welcome any personal information that will help us to evaluate applications holistically and will provide context for the applicant’s academic achievements. This statement may include extenuating circumstances, significant challenges that were overcome, a non-traditional educational background, description of any advocacy or values work, or other information that may be relevant.
- Detailed instructions for each application section, and many examples , can be found on the “ Additional Guidance ” page. The detailed instructions are lengthy, and are intended to be read only “as needed” while you work on your application (i.e., you don’t need to go read the whole thing before you start).
When/How to ApplyWhen : Applications can be submitted between September 15 and December 15 by 11:59pm EST for the following year. How : The application is online at https://apply.mit.edu/apply/ Application AssistanceFaculty, students, and staff have collaborated to provide extensive guidance to prospective applicants to our graduate degree program, which we detail below: - Our website provides answers to many frequently asked admissions questions
- Admissions staff are available for questions at [email protected] . We encourage students to send their questions early in the application process, as staff become increasingly busy with requests as the application deadline approaches!
- The Physics Graduate Application Assistance Program ( PhysGAAP ) is run by current graduate students and offers online webinars, office hours, and one-on-one mentoring. Registration is now open for Fall 2024 , and more information is provided below.
Physics Graduate Application Assistance Program (PhysGAAP)PhysGAAP is a program offering resources for students applying to graduate school, and it was first started to reduce the barriers for application to the MIT Physics PhD program and address the underrepresentation of students from historically excluded communities. Our services include annual webinars about the application process, office hours to answer questions, and a one-on-one mentoring program for students who would benefit from more in-depth, individual assistance. Visit the PhysGAAP website for more information! The Fall 2024 webinars will be held on October 16th at 9-10am and 4-5pm. Zoom and Slido information will be sent 1 week before the webinar to applicants who have registered for PhysGAAP using this form . Recordings of past webinars can also be found on our website . Please note past webinars may contain outdated information about some topics, such as GRE requirements. Office HoursOur Office Hours are a space where you can briefly chat with an MIT Physics graduate student about questions you may have about applying to graduate school. For example, if you have questions about the specifics of applying to MIT Physics, what materials you need for your application, or other questions that only require a one-time meeting, office hours may be a good option for you. Information about the Office Hours program will be sent out to those who register for PhysGAAP through this form . 1-on-1 Mentorship1-on-1 mentoring is offered for students who would benefit from more in-depth individual assistance. Our capacity is limited, so we will give preferential consideration to PhysGAAP Mentorship applicants who would most benefit from the program and can demonstrate that they are a good fit. We therefore ask prospective applicants to start by asking their questions at our webinars and office hours program. If applicants want further assistance, they may apply to the PhysGAAP Mentorship Program, which pairs prospective graduate school applicants with current graduate students who can provide feedback on their application and insight into graduate school and the MIT Physics PhD program. Applications for the PhysGAAP Mentorship Program will open later in the Fall and are expected to close in early-mid November . To stay up to date on when the applications open, please register for PhysGAAP through this form . Please note that participation in PhysGAAP is not considered during admissions review. It helps applicants put forward their strongest materials, but does not guarantee admission into our graduate program. Admissions/Application FAQsOur Frequently Asked Questions provide further information about degree requirements, funding, educational background, application deadlines, English language proficiency, program duration, start dates and deferrals, and fee waiver requests. The MOST Frequently Asked Question…What is included in a strong graduate application for physics at mit. Applications are assessed holistically and many variables are considered in the application review process. The following four main factors are required for a complete application. - the applicant’s statement of objectives or purpose,
- transcripts of past grades,
- score reports of any required standardized tests,
- three letters of reference.
In addition, any past research experience, publications, awards, and honors are extremely helpful, particularly if they are in the area(s) of the applicant’s interest(s). Applicants may also include a personal statement in their application to provide context as the materials are assessed. Applications are routed to admission committee members and other faculty readers using the “areas of interest” and any faculty names selected from the menu as well as based on the research interests included in the statement of objectives. Please select the areas of interest that best reflect your goals. Instructions are available in the application itself , with further guidance on our Additional Guidance page. The Physics Admissions Office will respond to questions sent to [email protected] . General Questions Regarding the PhD Program in PhysicsMust i have a degree in physics in order to apply to this graduate program. Our successful applicants generally hold a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics, or have taken many Physics classes if they have majored in another discipline. The most common other majors are astronomy, engineering, mathematics, and chemistry. Bachelor of Science degrees may be 3-year or 4-year degrees, depending on the education structure of the country in which they are earned. What are the requirements to complete a PhD?The requirements for a PhD in Physics at MIT are the doctoral examination, a few required subject classes, and a research-based thesis. The doctoral examination consists of a written and an oral examination. The written component may be satisfied either by passing the 4 subject exams or by passing designated classes related to each topic with a qualifying grade; the oral exam will be given in a student’s chosen research area. The Physics Department also requires that each student take two classes in the field of specialization and two physics-related courses in fields outside the specialty. Research for the thesis is conducted throughout the student’s time in the program, culminating in a thesis defense and submission of the final thesis. Can I take courses at other schools nearby?Yes. Cross-registration is available at Harvard University and Wellesley College. How many years does it take to complete the PhD requirements?From 3 to 7 years, averaging 5.6 years. How will I pay for my studies?Our students are fully supported financially throughout the duration of their program, provided that they make satisfactory progress. Funding is provided from Fellowships (internal and external) and/or Assistantships (research and teaching) and covers tuition, health insurance, and a living stipend. Read more about funding . Note: For more detailed information regarding the cost of attendance, including specific costs for tuition and fees, books and supplies, housing and food as well as transportation, please visit the Student Financial Services (SFS) website . How many applications are submitted each year? How many students are accepted?Although the number varies each year, the Department of Physics usually welcomes approximately 45 incoming graduate students each year. Last year we received more than 1,700 applications and extended fewer than 90 offers of admission. What are the minimum grades and exam scores for admitted applicants?There are no minimum standards for overall grade point averages/GPAs. Grades from physics and other related classes will be carefully assessed. Under a special COVID-19 policy, MIT will accept transcripts with a variety of grading conventions, including any special grading given during the COVID-19 pandemic. PGREs (Physics subject GRE) is not required for graduate applications but is recommended. Our program is conducted in English and all applicants must demonstrate their English language proficiency. Non-native English speakers should review our policy carefully before waiving the TOEFL/IELTS requirements. We do not set a minimum requirement on TOEFL/IELTS scores; however, students who are admitted to our program typically score above the following values: - IELTS – 7
- TOEFL (computer based) – 200
- TOEFL (iBT) – 100
- TOEFL (standard) – 600
The Application ProcessWhen is the deadline for applying to the phd program in physics. Applications for enrollment in the fall are due each year by 11:59pm EST on December 15 of the preceding year. There is no admission cycle for spring-term enrollment. The COVID-19 pandemic has made it difficult for me to take tests in person. Can I still apply?PGRE (Physics subject GRE) is not required for graduate applications but is recommended. Non-native English speakers who are not eligible for a test waiver should include their results from either an in-person or online version of the TOEFL or IELTS test. Does the Department of Physics provide waivers for the English language exam (TOEFL/IELTS)?An English language exam (IELTS, TOEFL, TOEFL iBT, or the C2 Cambridge English Proficiency exam) is required of all applicants who are from a country in which English is not the primary language. Exceptions to this policy will be considered for candidates who, at the start of their graduate studies in 2025, will have been in the US or in a country whose official language is English for three years or longer and who will have received a degree from a college or university in a country where the language of education instruction is English. An interview via telephone, Zoom, or Skype may be arranged at the discretion of the Admissions Committee. More information on a possible English Language Waiver Decision (PDF). Does the Department of Physics provide application fee waivers?Although we do not want the MIT application fee to be a barrier to admission, we cannot provide application fee waivers to all who request one. The Department of Physics has a limited number of fee waivers to grant. Applicants should first investigate their eligibility for a fee waiver through the Office of Graduate Education . Those not eligible will be prompted to submit a departmental application. Fee waiver requests will only be considered *before* an applicant has submitted the application, but *after* they have completed all parts of the application, including transcript uploads and requests for letters of recommendation. Fee waiver requests for incomplete applications will not be considered. Fee waiver requests will be considered on a first-come-first-served basis, and not after December 1. Furthermore, applications lacking the paid fee or a fee waiver by 11:59pm EST on December 15 will not be reviewed or considered for admission. Can I arrange a visit to the Physics Department or a specific research area?We are not currently hosting or meeting with outside visitors in person, nor are we facilitating visits to our classrooms. Current graduate students and prospective applicants should direct any questions by email to [email protected] . Applicants are invited to send specific questions to the Physics Admissions Office and some questions may be forwarded to current students for further information. Admitted students will be invited to attend an in-person open house. Can I receive an update on the status of my application?Candidates can check on the status of their application at apply.mit.edu/apply at any time. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that all items are sent. When will I be notified of a final decision?Applicants will be notified via email of decisions by the end of February. If you have not heard from us by March 1, please send email to [email protected] . We do not provide results by phone. Can admitted students start in a term other than the next Fall semester?Applications submitted between September 15 and December 15 by 11:59pm EST are assessed for the following Fall semester. We do not provide a separate admission review cycle for the Spring semester. Individual research supervisors may invite incoming students to start their research during the summer term a few months earlier than their studies would normally begin. All other incoming students start their studies in late August for the Fall term. Once admitted, applicants may request a one-year deferral to attend a specific academic program or for another approved reason, with single semester deferrals for the following Spring term granted only rarely. Apply | Contact Us | Carol Davis Fund Anonymous Feedback to the Physics ChairGraduate studies, commencement 2019. The Harvard Department of Physics offers students innovative educational and research opportunities with renowned faculty in state-of-the-art facilities, exploring fundamental problems involving physics at all scales. Our primary areas of experimental and theoretical research are atomic and molecular physics, astrophysics and cosmology, biophysics, chemical physics, computational physics, condensed-matter physics, materials science, mathematical physics, particle physics, quantum optics, quantum field theory, quantum information, string theory, and relativity. Our talented and hardworking students participate in exciting discoveries and cutting-edge inventions such as the ATLAS experiment, which discovered the Higgs boson; building the first 51-cubit quantum computer; measuring entanglement entropy; discovering new phases of matter; and peering into the ‘soft hair’ of black holes. Our students come from all over the world and from varied educational backgrounds. We are committed to fostering an inclusive environment and attracting the widest possible range of talents. We have a flexible and highly responsive advising structure for our PhD students that shepherds them through every stage of their education, providing assistance and counseling along the way, helping resolve problems and academic impasses, and making sure that everyone has the most enriching experience possible.The graduate advising team also sponsors alumni talks, panels, and advice sessions to help students along their academic and career paths in physics and beyond, such as “Getting Started in Research,” “Applying to Fellowships,” “Preparing for Qualifying Exams,” “Securing a Post-Doc Position,” and other career events (both academic and industry-related). We offer many resources, services, and on-site facilities to the physics community, including our electronic instrument design lab and our fabrication machine shop. Our historic Jefferson Laboratory, the first physics laboratory of its kind in the nation and the heart of the physics department, has been redesigned and renovated to facilitate study and collaboration among our students. Members of the Harvard Physics community participate in initiatives that bring together scientists from institutions across the world and from different fields of inquiry. For example, the Harvard-MIT Center for Ultracold Atoms unites a community of scientists from both institutions to pursue research in the new fields opened up by the creation of ultracold atoms and quantum gases. The Center for Integrated Quantum Materials , a collaboration between Harvard University, Howard University, MIT, and the Museum of Science, Boston, is dedicated to the study of extraordinary new quantum materials that hold promise for transforming signal processing and computation. The Harvard Materials Science and Engineering Center is home to an interdisciplinary group of physicists, chemists, and researchers from the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences working on fundamental questions in materials science and applications such as soft robotics and 3D printing. The Black Hole Initiative , the first center worldwide to focus on the study of black holes, is an interdisciplinary collaboration between principal investigators from the fields of astronomy, physics, mathematics, and philosophy. The quantitative biology initiative https://quantbio.harvard.edu/ aims to bring together physicists, biologists, engineers, and applied mathematicians to understand life itself. And, most recently, the new program in Quantum Science and Engineering (QSE) , which lies at the interface of physics, chemistry, and engineering, will admit its first cohort of PhD students in Fall 2022. We support and encourage interdisciplinary research and simultaneous applications to two departments is permissible. Prospective students may thus wish to apply to the following departments and programs in addition to Physics: - Department of Astronomy
- Department of Chemistry
- Department of Mathematics
- John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS)
- Biophysics Program
- Molecules, Cells and Organisms Program (MCO)
If you are a prospective graduate student and have questions for us, or if you’re interested in visiting our department, please contact [email protected] . - GRADUATE STUDIES
- Admissions & Financial Aid
- Admissions FAQs
- Advising Team
- Advising Portal (Graduate)
- Course Requirements
- Other PhD Tracks
- Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences
- GSAS Student Council
- PhD Thesis Help
- Tax Information
The Physics Department offers a Doctor of Philosophy in Physics with specializations in different subfields that reflect the forefront research activities of the department, including astrophysics, biological physics, condensed matter physics, elementary particle physics, nanomedicine, nanophysics, and network science. In The NewsCan Machine Learning Help Physicists Answer Puzzling Questions in String Theory?It’s Not Just Your Genes That Are Killing You. Everything Else Is, Too.Cancer Tumors Aren’t Always as ‘Tough’ as They SeemThe program for the PhD degree consists of required coursework, a qualifying examination, a preliminary research seminar, the completion of a dissertation based upon original research performed by the student, and a dissertation defense upon completion of the dissertation. Based on these measures, students are expected to obtain a graduate-level understanding of basic physics concepts and demonstrate the ability to formulate a research plan, orally communicate a research plan, and conduct and present independent research. The PhD dissertation will be based on new and original research in one of the current theoretical or experimental research programs in the department, under direct supervision of an advisor from the Physics Department. Alternatively, the dissertation research can be in a recognized interdisciplinary field involving another research area of the University, under the direct supervision of a faculty member in that field. Another option is to work in an area of applied research in one of the industrial or high-technology laboratories associated with the department’s industrial PhD program. In that case, the direct supervisor is associated with the institution where the research is performed. The Department of Physics offers stipended graduate assistantships (teaching and research), full tuition toward degree requirements as well as coverage in NU’s student health plan (NUSHP). - 90 percent of department faculty have major research grants
- Over 100 papers published annually
- Approximately 100 enrolled PhD students
- Highly competitive fellowships available to applicants
- Associated institutes and centers include the Nanomedicine Innovation Center, Center for Complex Network Research (CCNR), Center for Interdisciplinary Research on Complex Systems (CIRCS) and the Quantum Materials Science Institute (QMSI). In addition, Physics faculty are an integral part of the Network Science Institute
- The department is home to the Center for Theoretical Biological Physics (CTBP), which is one of nine National Science Foundation Physics Frontiers Centers. CTBP partner institutions include Northeastern, Rice University, Baylor College of Medicine and University of Houston.
- Faculty are leading members of the National Science Foundation’s newly established Institute for Artificial Intelligence and Fundamental Interactions, which is a joint institute that spans MIT, Harvard, Tufts and Northeastern.
Our graduates pursue careers within academia and beyond. - National Institutes of Health
- Los Alamos National Laboratory
- Capital One
- Houston Rockets
- Reactive Innovations, LLC
- Athena Health
- Smoothies Technologies Inc.
- Gamelan Labs Inc.
- Boston University
- Institut Langrange de Paris
- SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory
- University of California, San Diego
- King Abdulaziz University, Saudi Arabia
- Instituto de Telecomunicacoes
- Massachussets Institute of Technology
- JDS Uniphse
- Monash University
- Ecole Normale Supzrieure, International Center for Fundamental Physics and its Interfaces, Paris, France
- IBM TJ Watson Research Center
Application MaterialsApplication. - Application fee – US $100
- Unofficial transcripts for all institutions attended (Official transcripts required upon acceptance of admission offer)
- Personal statement
- Three letters of recommendation
- GRE General – recommended, but not required
- GRE Physics – recommended, but not required
- Proof of English Proficiency for all applicants
Priority deadline for completed applications: December 1 st Rolling admissions until March 15th. Check with department to see if there is any availability. Request Information for PhD in Physics |
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COMMENTS
A PhD degree in Physics is awarded in recognition of significant and novel research contributions, extending the boundaries of our knowledge of the physical universe.
The Physics Ph.D. program provides students with opportunities to perform independent research in some of the most current and dynamic areas of physics. Students develop a solid and broad physics knowledge base in the first year through the core curriculum, departmental colloquia, and training.
Doctoral Program. The Path to The Ph.D. The Georgetown graduate experience is tailored to match your academic and professional goals. The process is straightforward, but as with any program, there are certain benchmarks that help you chart your path. Detailed information is available in the Graduate Handbook.
The PhD in Physics is a full-time period of research that introduces or builds upon research skills and specialist knowledge. Students are assigned a research Supervisor, a specialist in part or all of the student's chosen research field, and join a research group that might vary in size between a handful to many tens of individuals.
The student is expected to have prepared for understanding all branches of physics. The required courses for the PhD are (1) the following five core courses: PHYS 504 , PHYS 508a , PHYS 510 , PHYS 518 , and PHYS 558a ; (2) a minimum of four additional/elective courses, summing to at least 12 units. These additional/elective courses would be ...
Student Handbook. Applying to Columbia Physics Graduate Program. Three years of fundamental undergraduate physics courses, individual laboratories, and a working knowledge of ordinary differential equations are generally required for admission.
Graduate students have opportunities for research in theoretical physics, AMO physics, ultra-fast lasers, particle and nuclear physics, condensed matter physics, quantum information and control, cosmology, astrophysics, and gravitation.
Application Assistance. Admissions/Application FAQs. Thank you for considering the PhD program in Physics at MIT. Information regarding our graduate program and our application process can be found below and through the links on this page.
The Harvard Materials Science and Engineering Center is home to an interdisciplinary group of physicists, chemists, and researchers from the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences working on fundamental questions in materials science and applications such as soft robotics and 3D printing.
PhD Program. Physics. The Physics Department offers a Doctor of Philosophy in Physics with specializations in different subfields that reflect the forefront research activities of the department, including astrophysics, biological physics, condensed matter physics, elementary particle physics, nanomedicine, nanophysics, and network science.