Physics, PhD

Location(s): Main Campus

The Physics, Applied Physics and Astronomy Department offers a four-year PhD degree in physics. The department offers relatively small classes in the core curriculum of graduate physics, and courses and seminars provide necessary background in the basic principles, methods and theories of physics. Elective graduate courses include solid state physics, condensed matter physics/materials science, and more specialized seminars such as electronic thin film science. The department encourages early assimilation of students into research groups.

This degree will prepare graduates to lead efforts in industry or academia in the areas of condensed matter physics, applied physics and materials physics. The PhD is awarded for original investigation leading to a significant advance of knowledge in a specialized area. Furthermore, students will be able to leverage the significant research infrastructure recently established under the Small Scale Systems Integration and Packaging Center at Binghamton University for research in topics related to the energy sciences, biophysics and information sciences.

Admission Requirements

Normally, an applicant for graduate study must have a bachelor’s degree and a record that indicates a proficient level of scholarship. Specialization in physics or related fields at the undergraduate level is desirable but not essential for admission. Graduate Record Examination scores for the general and subject tests are helpful in evaluating applicants. Potential applicants are encouraged to contact the director of graduate programs in the department for further information or for answers to specific questions about admission procedures.

Program Requirements

In the course of their training, students are expected to demonstrate, by appropriate examinations, a breadth of knowledge in physics and in-depth competence in a specialized area of physics. At the earliest date consistent with their general progress, students select a research topic and begin their research.

Course Requirements

The requirements for the doctoral degree include a total of at least 24 credits of graduate level courses (six to eight courses) and at least an additional 24 graduate level credits of dissertation work. The specific course requirements will be determined in consultation with the student’s guidance committee (a committee consisting of three physics faculty members, one of whom is the student’s principal advisor). These course requirements must be approved by the graduate program committee and will normally include those expected for the master’s degree in physics.

Most of the basic graduate courses in a student’s program should be taken during the first year of residence. Proficiency in solid state physics, quantum mechanics, electrodynamics, statistical thermodynamics and communication skills will be attained through classroom study, research and teaching. Typically, the program involves two semesters of first-year graduate courses and a teaching assistantship in introductory undergraduate physics courses. The second year in the program may be seen as transitional, including elective courses and potentially a second year of a teaching assistantship, with a growing focus on a research problem. By the end of the second year, the preliminary examination, including a presentation of a proposed dissertation topic, is completed.

Dissertation Requirement

Dissertation research, writing a dissertation and a public defense of the dissertation complete the degree requirements. The time it takes to earn a degree for a well-prepared student will be four years; an average time to degree between four and five years is to be expected.

Additional Information About the Program

Graduate assistantships are available for full-time PhD graduate students. Generally, new students begin with teaching assistantships, though a number of research assistantships are also available. National Science Foundation (NSF) fellowships are available as well.

Funding for the fall semester for graduate applicants is considered beginning Feb. 15 and continues until positions are filled. Throughout the spring semester, the department welcomes applications and campus visits.

Current physics teaching assistantships include a stipend for nine months and a tuition waiver. There may also be additional summer support.

For more information on the Physics PhD program, please refer to the Physics, Applied Physics, and Astronomy Department website. To apply to the Physics PhD program, please visit the University Admissions website.