The UMass Physics Department hosts about 90 graduate students in our PhD program, with between 15 and 20 students in each incoming class. Students entering the program with a typical undergraduate degree spend the bulk of their first 3 semesters completing coursework and working as a teaching assistant during the academic year, while starting to explore research. By semester 4, students engage primarily in research activities while attending seminars and taking the occasional special topics course. Students are also encouraged to make use of the many professional development opportunities available through both the department and the Graduate School's Office of Professional Development.
Information for Current PhD Students
- Requirements for the PhD
- Timeline for Satisfactory Progress
- Advancing to Candidacy (Qualifying Procedure)
- Tips for Finding a Research Group and Project
- New! TA and RA appointment procedures
- Travel Grants
- Graduate Courses
- Physics Graduate Program Handbook
- Contacts and Useful Links
Information for Prospective PhD Students
- Essential Information for Applicants
- Expected Background and Preparation
- Application requirements for the PhD Program
- How to apply to the PhD Program
- Financial aid
- Frequently Asked Questions
Graduate Research
- Tips for Finding a Research Group and Project
- Physics Research at UMass
- Some Recent Dissertation Topics
- Introduction to Research
Department of Physics