Physics Graduate Program Admission Requirements
All applicants must satisfy the admission requirements of the Office of Graduate Studies as outlined in the Graduate Bulletin. Admission to graduate programs in physics is based upon several factors including a student's previous academic performance, recommendation letters (minimum of three), and scores on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). Letters of recommendation should be from persons qualified to assess the applicant's readiness for graduate study and should be sent to the physics department. A minimum TOEFL score of 540 on the paper-based examination or 210 on the computer-based examination is required of those applicants for whom English is not their native language. It is recommended, but not required, that students applying for a stipend take the Advanced Physics GRE.
Prospective master's degree students should have completed mathematics through differential equations, and satisfactorily completed courses in introductory physics, mechanics, electricity and magnetism, modern physics, and quantum mechanics at the undergraduate level. Applicants possessing a bachelor's degree in physics may apply for regular admission to the Ph.D. program but will earn a master's degree in physics as part of successful progress through the Ph.D. program. Such applicants possessing only a bachelor's degree will be formally admitted into the master's degree program and will officially enter the Ph.D. program after earning a master's degree.
Applicants who hold a degree in physics but are inadequately prepared or those possessing a degree in a field other than physics may be granted conditional admission but will be required to complete makeup courses with a grade of B or better. The Office of Graduate Studies specifies additional requirements for conditional admission. The department chair may impose additional requirements as well. Students admitted conditionally should communicate with the chair to outline the requirements for removing conditional status.
Prospective master's degree students should have completed mathematics through differential equations, and satisfactorily completed courses in introductory physics, mechanics, electricity and magnetism, modern physics, and quantum mechanics at the undergraduate level. Applicants possessing a bachelor's degree in physics may apply for regular admission to the Ph.D. program but will earn a master's degree in physics as part of successful progress through the Ph.D. program. Such applicants possessing only a bachelor's degree will be formally admitted into the master's degree program and will officially enter the Ph.D. program after earning a master's degree.
Applicants who hold a degree in physics but are inadequately prepared or those possessing a degree in a field other than physics may be granted conditional admission but will be required to complete makeup courses with a grade of B or better. The Office of Graduate Studies specifies additional requirements for conditional admission. The department chair may impose additional requirements as well. Students admitted conditionally should communicate with the chair to outline the requirements for removing conditional status.