Campuses:
Twin Cities campus
This is archival data. This system was retired as of August 21, 2023 and the information on this page has not been updated since then. For current information, visit catalogs.umn.edu.
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Twin Cities Campus
Physics Ph.D.School of Physics & Astronomy
College of Science and Engineering
Link to a list of faculty for this program.
Contact Information
Director of Graduate Studies in Physics, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Minnesota, 116 Church St. S.E., Minneapolis, MN 55455 (612-626-5982; fax: 612-624-4578)
Email:
grad@physics.umn.edu
Website: http://www.physics.umn.edu/grad
Along with the program-specific requirements listed below, please read the
General Information section of
this
website for requirements that apply to all major fields.
Physics is the study of the fundamental structure and interactions of matter. Research areas in the program include experimental and theoretical studies in astrophysics and cosmology, biological physics, condensed matter physics, elementary particle physics, nuclear physics, space and planetary physics, and physics education research. Interdisciplinary study is also available with the programs in astrophysics, biological sciences, chemistry, chemical engineering and materials science, electrical and computer engineering, mechanical engineering, and the history of science and technology.
Program Delivery
Prerequisites for Admission
The preferred undergraduate GPA for admittance to the program
is 3.50.
Other requirements to be completed before admission:
Teaching assistantships and a few fellowships are available upon admittance to the School of Physics and Astronomy.
Applicants are required to submit three letters of recommendation from persons familiar with their scholarship and research potential; a complete set of transcripts; and a clearly written statement of career interests, goals, and objectives. Submission of GRE scores is strongly recommended. Fall semester entry is strongly recommended for all students. Application by December 15 is strongly encouraged to ensure priority consideration for fellowships awarded for the next academic year.
Special Application Requirements:
Courses at the upper division level in the core areas of classical mechanics, electricity and magnetism, quantum mechanics, and statistical and thermal physics are required. It is advisable to have taken an upper division course in experimental methods in physics.
Applicants must submit their test score(s) from the following:
International applicants must submit score(s) from one of the following tests:
Key to test
abbreviations
(GRE, TOEFL, IELTS, MELAB).
For an online application or for more information about graduate education admissions, see the
General Information section of this
website.
Program Requirements
40
credits are required in the major.
0 credits are required outside the major. 24 thesis credits are required.
This program may be completed with a minor.
Use of 4xxx courses toward program requirements is permitted under certain conditions with adviser approval.
A minimum GPA of 3.30
is required for students to remain in good standing.
All courses must be at the 4xxx, 5xxx or 8xxx level. Physics 4001, 4002, 4101, 4201, and 4303 cannot be used to satisfy the requirements.
The Ph.D. requires 40 course credits including classical physics (PHYS 5011-5012), quantum mechanics (PHYS 5001-5002), thermal and statistical physics (PHYS 5201) and two semesters of seminar, plus 24 thesis credits.
Required Orientation: During the two weeks before the beginning of fall semester, new graduate students are expected to participate in the department orientation program. This includes TA orientation sessions, which are required if a student's financial support comes from TA assignments.
Requirement for International Students: International students who want to teach as TAs must take CSE TALK, a workshop on American teaching culture and language skills, prior to the department orientation described above and achieve an ELP (English Language Proficiency) rating of 1. This includes passing an English test, which is given in late July and August. Students who do not achieve an ELP of 1 must take an English training course geared to their level of skills, such as GRAD 5105, GRAD 5102, or Foundations. These courses are given during the academic year and are required until the student achieves an ELP of 1.
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