COLLEGE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Learn more about the Doctor of Philosophy in Physics.

About the Program

The objective of the PhD program in Physics is to provide both a broad understanding of foundational areas of Physics and intensive training and experience in an important area of current research. A primary requirement for the degree is an original and significant research contribution, which is presented in the PhD dissertation.

Time Limit for Degree Completion: 7 years

Campus Location: Main

Full-Time/Part-Time Status: The degree program can be completed on a full- or part-time basis.

Job Prospects: The program is intended to produce well-trained physicists, who are qualified for careers as research scientists in government and industrial laboratories or as university faculty members.

Non-Matriculated Student Policy: Non-matriculated students are restricted to taking the following courses:

Analytical Mechanics
Electromagnetic Theory
Mathematical Physics

 If the student applies to and is accepted into the program, the courses taken, up to 9 credits, may be applied toward the degree requirements.

Financing Opportunities: Financial aid is available in the form of Teaching and Research Assistantships. The principal duties of a Teaching Assistant include laboratory instruction, grading of lab reports, and tutoring of students enrolled in introductory physics courses. Research Assistants are assigned to a faculty member, typically the thesis advisor, who is engaged in an externally funded research project and who determines the students’ duties. Both Teaching and Research Assistantships provide tuition, a stipend for living expenses, and health insurance.

Admission Requirements and Deadlines

Application Deadline:

Fall: January 15; December 15 international
Spring: September 15; August 15 international

For full consideration, applications must be submitted by the deadline. Late applications may be considered in exceptional cases.

APPLY ONLINE to this graduate program.

Letters of Reference:
Number Required: 3

From Whom: Letters of recommendation should be obtained from college/university faculty members or scientists familiar with the applicant's academic and scientific capabilities.

Coursework Required for Admission Consideration: Applicants should have successfully completed coursework typically required for a bachelor’s degree in Physics.

Master's Degree in Discipline/Related Discipline: A master's degree is not required.

Bachelor's Degree in Discipline/Related Discipline: A baccalaureate degree in Physics is typically required. A certified transcript is required from each institution previously attended by the applicant.

Statement of Goals: In one to two pages, address your specific interest in Temple's program, research and career goals, and academic and research achievements.

Standardized Test Scores:
GRE: General Test optional. Subject Test in Physics: optional

Applicants who earned their baccalaureate degree from an institution where the language of instruction was other than English, with the exception of those who subsequently earned a master’s degree at a U.S. institution, must report scores for a standardized test of English that meet these minimums:

  • TOEFL iBT: 79
  • IELTS Academic: 6.5
  • PTE Academic: 53
  • Duolingo: 110

Resume: Current resume required.

Transfer Credit: Graduate credits from an accredited institution may be transferred into the program. The credits must be equivalent to coursework offered at Temple, and the grade must be a "B" or better in order to transfer. The Graduate Program Committee must approve all requests for transfer credit. The maximum number of credits a student may transfer is 6.

Advanced Standing: Students who enter the PhD program in Physics with a master's degree in Physics or a closely related field may be considered for advanced standing. The Graduate Program Committee recommends the awarding of advanced standing on a case-by-case basis. The maximum number of advanced standing credits awarded is 33.

Program Requirements

General Program Requirements:
Number of Credits Required Beyond the Baccalaureate: 38

Required Courses:

Core Courses
PHYS 5002Physics Research and Ethics1
PHYS 5101Analytical Mechanics3
PHYS 5301Electromagnetic Theory3
PHYS 5501Mathematical Physics3
PHYS 5701Quantum Mechanics I3
PHYS 5702Quantum Mechanics II3
PHYS 8102Statistical Mechanics3
PHYS 8702Solid State Physics3
PHYS 8703Nuclear and Elementary Particle Physics3
Electives6
Select two from the following:
Advanced Electromagnetic Theory
Computational and Mathematical Physics
Topical Seminar I
Quantum Field Theory
Many Electron Theory
Advanced Topics in Nuclear and Particle Physics
or any new course designated as PHYS 870X
Research Courses 17
Preliminary Examination Preparation 2
Pre-Dissertation Research / Elevation to Candidacy
Dissertation Research
Total Credit Hours38
1

The combined number of credits of PHYS 9994, PHYS 9998, and PHYS 9999 must be at least 7, with a minimum of 1 credit of PHYS 9994 and a minimum of 2 credits of PHYS 9999 required.

2

Students typically take PHYS 9994 in the fourth academic term of full-time graduate study.

Culminating Events:
Preliminary Examination:
For elevation to candidacy for the PhD degree, the student must pass a written and oral preliminary examination covering undergraduate- and master’s-level physics. The written part of the exam is typically taken at the end of the summer of the first year of study on information from six core courses: PHYS 5101, PHYS 5301, PHYS 5501, PHYS 5701, PHYS 5702, and PHYS 8102. The oral part, also known as the Early Research Progress Exam, is given by the student's research committee at the end of the fifth term of study. In the event of failure, the exam may be retaken once six months later. The Department or Graduate Chair is present for the second attempt. Any student who fails a second time is dropped from the graduate program.

Dissertation:
A topic for the PhD dissertation is selected in consultation with a faculty member who agrees to serve as the dissertation supervisor. For elevation to candidacy, the student must submit a dissertation proposal that meets the approval of the Graduate Program Committee and the Graduate School. The completed dissertation is submitted to the department before the final examination, in which the dissertation is presented and defended by the candidate in an oral examination.

Contacts

Department Web Address:

https://www.temple.edu/academics/degree-programs/physics-phd-st-phys-phd

Department Information:

Dept. of Physics

406 Science and Education Research Center

1925 N. 12th Street

Philadelphia, PA 19122-1801

physgrad@temple.edu

215-204-7634

Submission Address for Application Materials:

https://cst.temple.edu/academics/graduate-programs/apply-now

Department Contacts:

Admissions Chair:

Martha Constantinou, PhD

marthac@temple.edu

215-204-2878

Graduate Chairperson:

Rongjia Tao, PhD

rongjia.tao@temple.edu

215-204-7651

Department Chairperson:

Peter Riseborough, PhD

peter.riseborough@temple.edu

215-204-7634