Undergraduate Degree
Students applying to the PhD program are expected to have substantial undergraduate background in physics and typically hold a Bachelor's Degree in Physics, although in the past, students with degrees in engineering, mathematics, or other areas have been admitted. Candidates planning graduate study in physics should have completed at least (preferably more than) 15 semester credit hours in undergraduate physics beyond introductory courses, including upper division courses in Classical Mechanics, Electricity and Magnetism, Quantum Mechanics, and Statistical Physics, as well as at least 6 credits of mathematics beyond college-level calculus, including for example multivariable calculus, ordinary differential equations, linear algebra and/or a course or courses in mathematical methods of physics.
Standardized Exams
GRE exams are not required, but may be submitted if you believe they bolster your application.
International students must take the TOEFL exam to demonstrate proficiency in written and spoken English. During the pandemic, other options are also available. Please see the updates on the graduate school COVID-19 updates. Please see the updates on the graduate school COVID-19 updates. Further information for international students can be found on the graduate school webpages here.
For further information about the GRE and TOEFL exams, contact the Educational Testing Service.
More Information
For more information about the graduate program, useful links, and other information, see the PhD Program page. Be sure in particular to see our page on Essential Information for PhD Applicants.
For questions about the application process, please feel welcome to contact our Graduate Program Manager, Katie Bryant, at @email.