The Physics and Astronomy Graduate Program maintains an enrollment of nearly 90 graduate students each year. The resulting 3:1 (student:faculty) ratio ensures that each student receives appropriate attention in research and education. In the first semesters, most students complete their Teaching Experience through undergraduate recitations or labs in addition to their own coursework.

Depending on the status of the individual, first year graduate students complete their Core Class Schedule (link). Each student must finish or test out of the core courses with an average QPA of at least 3.0 and a score of at least 60 percent on each final exam to fulfill the department’s comprehensive examination requirement. Those who do not complete these requirements the first year can fulfill the missing part(s) of the comprehensive examination requirement during their second year.

Early in the spring term, the Research Talks for 1st Year Students will begin, in which faculty discuss their research area and what opportunities they offer as well as a Graduate Research Mixer. The best way to ensure that you are able to do research in the Summer Term (May-August) is to contact professors about these opportunities. This first research experience will provide a springboard to possible dissertation topics and thesis advisers.

For many, Year 1 will end with the completion of a Masters of Science.