Starting in Fall 2026 for the 2026-2027 Academic Year, the Physics and Astronomy Department will offer two PhD programs: Doctor of Philosophy in Physics and our new Doctor of Philosophy in Astrophysics.  

The Ph.D. in Physics provides high-quality training for students. A set of core courses is to be taken by all graduate students unless the core course material has been demonstrably mastered in other ways. These core courses cover dynamical systems, electromagnetic theory, quantum mechanics, and statistical physics & thermodynamics. In addition, elective courses are offered in several advanced areas of physics. Ph.D. thesis topics may be chosen from a variety of research fields, including astrophysics/cosmology, particle physics, condensed matter/quantum information physics, AMO/cold atom physics, nanophotonics/optical physics and devices, biophysics, and physics education research. 

The Ph.D. in Astrophysics provides students with foundational knowledge in modern astrophysics as well as focused study in several specific subdisciplines. The Ph.D. trains students to perform independent and groundbreaking research in numerous areas of astrophysics. Individuals earning the Astrophysics Ph.D. are prepared for a variety of careers including teaching and research at major academic institutions, research at government and industrial laboratories, data analysis and software development, statistical analysis, quantitative modeling, scientific writing and outreach, technical marketing, corporate leadership at science and engineering firms, and a variety of scientific entrepreneurial endeavors. PhD thesis topics may be chosen from a variety of research fields, including observational galaxy evolution, galaxy evolution theory and simulations, observational cosmology and big data (supernovae, photometric redshifts), cosmology theory (cosmic microwave background, dark matter, dark energy, large-scale structure), observational stellar evolution, and stellar evolution theory. 

Both PhD programs are designed to provide students with a broad experimental, observational, and/or theoretical foundation for successful careers as scientists. They become prepared for careers in teaching, research, and work in industry. Study includes formal course work, participation in teaching, and attending colloquia and seminars. The PhD degree requires the design and completion of an original research project. The results of the research must be presented in a written dissertation and defended in an oral examination. PhD students in good academic standing receive full financial support (stipend+benefits+tuition) for at least five consecutive years of graduate study.

The rate of progress of individual students depends on many factors, including previous preparation, how well the subject matter is mastered, the field of specialization, the type of financial support, and the rate at which a research project progresses. The MS degree typically is completed in slightly more than one calendar year. Although some students have completed the PhD in just four years, most students require more than four years. The average time to receive a degree, based on recent PhD graduates in the department over the past five years, was 6.1 years.