Message from the Department Chair

Thank you for your interest in the Physics Graduate Program at Temple University. Our faculty are engaged in world-class research spanning Atomic, Molecular & Optical Physics, Condensed Matter Physics, and Nuclear Physics, with a strong component in high-performance computing. Our program offers a stimulating environment that fosters academic excellence and professional growth.

I look forward to sharing more about our program and how it aligns with your academic and career aspirations.

Maria Iavarone, Professor and Chair, Department of Physics

Program Overview

The Department of Physics offers graduate programs leading to the degrees of Master of Science (M.S.) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.). Both programs are intended to provide a broad understanding of foundational areas of Physics. The doctoral program provides intensive training and experience in an important area of current research. A primary requirement for the Ph.D. degree is an original and significant research contribution, which is presented in the Ph.D. dissertation.

There are opportunities in our department for experimental and theoretical research in the areas of atomic and molecular physics, computational physics, condensed matter physics, materials physics, nuclear and particle physics, and statistical physics. Almost all of our graduate students are in the Ph.D. program and receive financial support in the form of Teaching Assistantships, Research Assistantships, or Fellowships.

MS Program

The M.S. degree program in Physics is intended to provide advanced training sufficiently broad to permit the graduate to pursue a range of technical careers. There are both Thesis and Coursework (non-thesis) tracks to the M.S. degree. Both tracks require a total of 30 credits past the Baccalaureate degree, including completion of the following courses:

PHYS 5101: Analytical Mechanics
PHYS 5301-5302: Electromagnetic Theory
PHYS 5501-5502: Mathematical Physics
PHYS 5701-5702: Quantum Mechanics
PHYS 8102: Statistical Mechanics
PHYS 9994: Preliminary Exam Preparation (for Coursework track only)

The remaining courses are chosen in consultation with the graduate advisor.

Students on the Coursework track are required to pass a comprehensive exam covering undergraduate and Master’s level physics. For students on the Thesis track, a Master’s thesis, based on the student’s research, is required, but the comprehensive exam is not.

For more information on the M.S. requirements and a list of graduate courses, click here.

Ph.D. Program

The Ph.D. is the primary graduate degree we offer. It requires a total 38 credits past the Baccalaureate degree, including all of the courses listed above for the M.S. degree, the additional courses listed below:

PHYS 5002: Physics Research and Ethics
PHYS 8001: Practicum Teaching of Physics (for Teaching Assistants only)
PHYS 8050: Physics Seminar
PHYS 8701: Advanced Quantum Mechanics
PHYS 8702: Solid State Physics
PHYS 8703: Elementary Particle Physics

and at least 6 credits of PHYS 9999: Ph.D. Dissertation. For elevation to candidacy for the Ph.D. degree, the student must pass a written and oral preliminary examination covering undergraduate and master’s level physics.

A major component of the Ph.D. program is the dissertation research, which serves to acquaint the student with an important area of current research and requires an original and significant contribution. The dissertation topic is selected in consultation with a faculty member who agrees to serve as the dissertation advisor. The completed dissertation is submitted to the department and presented and defended by the candidate in an oral examination

For more information on the Ph.D. requirements and a list of courses, click here.