: Fourier Transforms & Complex Variables
: Statistical Methods in Engineering : Math for Machine Learning
: Methods in Applied Mathematics I : Game-theoretic Design, Learning and Engineering
: Operations Research : Optimization Methods for Engineering Applications
: Computational Methods for Partial Differential Equations I
: Bayesian Statistical Modeling & Computation
: Applied Machine Learning : High-dimensional Sensing and Learning (HdSL)
: Decision-Making under Uncertainty
: Methods in Applied Mathematics II
: Nonlinear Systems
: Computational Methods for Partial Differential Equations II
: Topics in Computational Science
Other courses may be accepted towards the applied mathematics requirement with prior program plan approval.
Students can choose any graduate course leading to acquiring breadth of knowledge in engineering sciences
Students can choose courses in the student's area of research to increase depth of knowledge and expertise. These courses should be selected in concert with the thesis advisor.
: Seminar on Science, Technology & Society (28 sessions)
: PhD Professional Workshops (1 term)
: Research-in-Progress Workshop (annually)
: Responsible & Ethical Conduct of Research (1 term)
In addition, PhD students also take on a multi-year research project, usually as part of a larger multidisciplinary project. Engineering research at Dartmouth reflects our belief that innovation happens at the intersection of disciplines and our emphasis on addressing areas of critical human need. PhD students work closely with their faculty advisor who is sponsoring their research to identify and further define their research focus.
All PhD students, upon matriculation, are required to attend a series of workshops in ethics and sign a statement that they agree to abide by the honor principles established by Dartmouth. See Graduate Academic and Conduct Regulations for a full statement of academic honor.
Students in the PhD program are expected to spend at least nine terms in residence, three of which will take place after successfully completing the oral qualifying examination. Students who are registered and enrolled in two or more courses per term(or ENGG 298) are considered full-time and as being "in residence." Students typically take approximately four to five years to complete the requirements for the PhD.
The PhD program can also be undertaken part-time: students interested in this option should contact the Senior Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Education .
See PhD Innovation Program Requirements for details.
During the first year of the PhD program, you will prepare for formal candidacy by taking courses and participating in faculty-directed research projects . See notes for new PhD students (.pdf) and the Typical Thayer PhD Process (.pdf) . Each student works with a faculty advisor and two additional Thayer faculty members. This group helps each student develop a first-year program of study, which the student submits to the Thayer Registrar during the first week of the term .
A typical first-year program of study includes:
During the studentâs first term, the faculty helps the student develop a full program plan to fulfill the PhD requirements, which the student submits to the Thayer Registrar before the beginning of the second term . The remaining PhD coursework and research program plan includes the rest of the required engineering courses, plus participation in the following seminars and workshops:
Each PhD student has a faculty advisor who aids the student in developing their course of study, which is submitted to and approved by the Senior Associate Dean of Research and Graduate Programs during the studentâs first term of residency. A studentâs faculty advisor also supervises the studentâs research and typically serves as chair of their thesis committee. Students can be co-advised by multiple faculty members.
At the end of each year, students meet with their faculty advisor to review grades, goals, achievements and future plans in research, formal coursework, and extracurricular activities. This meeting, and a corresponding written report, is required for every year that a student remains registered in the PhD program.
Following the first-year meeting, before the fall of second year, the advisor provides the Thayer Registrar a written report describing a student's annual performance.
Following a positive outcome of this first annual meeting, the student is expected to complete the oral qualifier examination before the end of the Fall term.
The second annual meeting should occur at the end of the student's second year, and a successful outcome of this would allow the student to progress to the PhD thesis proposal presentation before the end of the third year.
Students who are not progressing in a normal manner are transferred to the MS program with the understanding that they may later request to be reconsidered as PhD candidates.
Prior to advancement to candidacy, students must:
Once advanced to PhD candidacy, students work with a special advisory committee to make sure that all degree requirements are met.
REQUIREMENT | ||
---|---|---|
Knowledge of the principles and methods of engineering, applied science, and applied mathematics underlying the anticipated thesis research | Coursework and oral qualifying examination | |
Knowledge of one or more areas outside of or secondary to the candidateâs main area of specialization | Program of study or presentation of research proposal or a project in an area outside the main area of specialization | |
Ability to develop resources in chosen area of research | ENGG 197: PhD Professional Workshops | |
Mastery of knowledge in the chosen area of research | Presentation of a thesis proposal and a program of study | |
Significant contribution to engineering knowledge combined with professional expertise in the chosen area of study | Presentation at a professional meeting, manuscript accepted for publication, dissertation, and oral defense |
The oral qualifying exam ( ENGG 194 ), a set of questions put forward by an oral examination committee to the candidate, normally takes place before or during the fifth term of the student's program, or in exceptional circumstances early in the sixth term. The exam is open to the faculty, but not to the general public.
The committee tests the candidate's knowledge of principles and methods underlying the field in which advanced work is to be performed. The exam covers material selected by the candidate's advisor in consultation with the examining committee and includes coverage of mathematical techniques appropriate to the research area. The examination committee consists of four membersâthe Chair plus three Dartmouth faculty examiners, with at least two of the examiners from Thayer. A Thayer faculty member other than the student's advisor chairs the committee. This chair is assigned by the director of the MS and PhD programs.
The structure of the preparation for the exam is flexible. The student prepares a description of the planned exam, obtains approval of their advisor and two additional committee members, and then submits the proposal to the director of the MS and PhD programs. The director of the MS and PhD programs assigns a fourth committee member to serve as the Chair and approves the proposal. The student then submits the completed proposal to the Thayer Registrar (103 MacLean or [email protected] ) at least one month prior to the exam date .
The examination committee gives the student a pass, fail, or conditional pass result. Students who fail may retake the oral examinationâone time onlyâwithin the following three months. Upon passage of the exam or fulfillment of the conditions of the conditional pass (before the assigned deadline) and with a letter of support from the advisor, the student is admitted to PhD candidacy pending a vote by the Thayer faculty.
The faculty advisor helps the candidate plan a demonstration of technical breadth, which is approved by the Senior Associate Dean of Research and Graduate Programs. The plan details one of the following options:
The candidate demonstrates professional competence by completing ENGG 197 : PhD Professional Workshops, which is offered each Winter term by the faculty and outside experts. The workshop emphasizes skills in completing competitive proposals, business funding, patenting, research team organization, teaching, résumé and CV creation, and job search techniques. Each candidate completes a competitive research proposal or a business plan for critique by two expert referees selected from among faculty, outside experts, and/or corporate representatives. Candidates who have submitted a competitive research proposal to a funding agency or a business plan to a venture capitalist or financial institution prior to completing the workshop may petition to have the proposal or business plan fulfill this requirement.
The candidate demonstrates mastery of an area of specialization by writing and defending a thesis proposal within the first 18 months of candidacy. A thesis committee, approved by the director of the PhD program, advises the candidate on the proposed thesis research and administers the defense of the thesis proposal defense.
The PhD examination committee consists of a minimum of three full-time Dartmouth faculty members of which a minimum of two must be from Thayer (including the dissertation advisor) and an external member with a faculty equivalent research appointment outside of Dartmouth is optional, but not required. Note that although optional at the proposal stage, an external member is required for the final thesis committee and defense. The external member may participate in meetings in person or via video conference. The candidate's proposalâa presentation of the proposed thesis researchâexplains the scope and importance of the proposed research and plans for its completion. The defense presentation should be understandable, at least in a general way, to students and faculty not in the subject area.
Two weeks before the defense, candidates must:
Students who do not pass may be permitted to present the proposal againâone time onlyâwithin the following three months.
Candidates demonstrate their significant contribution to engineering knowledge and professional expertise in the chosen area of study by performing original research. The PhD examination committee consists of a minimum of three full-time Dartmouth faculty members of which a minimum of two must be from Thayer (including the dissertation advisor) and an external member with a faculty equivalent research appointment outside of Dartmouth. The external member may participate in meetings in person or via video conference. The research is reviewed through all of the following means:
A PDF of the final dissertation, including a cover sheet signed by the thesis committee, must be submitted to the Thayer Registrar for archiving. Copyright to the dissertation is held by the Trustees of Dartmouth College.
PhD students typically enter with full support from either a Graduate Research Assistantship (GRA) or an external fellowship.
Tuition for the academic year is covered by a Graduate Research Assistantship (GRA), which includes instruction, insurance coverage, use of instructional facilities, and healthcare service through the College infirmary.
Students admitted with a GRA receive a monthly stipend. The stipend amount for the 2024-2025 academic year is $3,916.67 per month ($47,000 per year).
Students who obtain an external fellowship that fully funds their PhDâsuch as from NSF, DOD, NASA, or DOEâwill receive an additional yearly stipend from Thayer for the duration of their PhD.
PhD students typically enter with full funding support from either a GRA or an external fellowship. GRAs, funded by contract research, are available to well-qualified candidates enrolled in degree programs with thesis requirements. Most PhD funding includes full tuition cost coverage plus a monthly stipend. GRAs also include health care coverage for those who opt for college insurance. As with all graduate students, Thayer's commitment to financial assistance will continue as long as a student remains in good academic standing and is making normal progress in fulfilling degree requirements.
Dartmouth is currently in the process of implementing GRA updates associated with the Dartmouth and Gold-UE Collective Bargaining Agreement . Additional details will be provided as they become available.
There are a number of scholarships, fellowships, and grants offering financial awards that are available to PhD graduate students.
Scholarships, Fellowships, and Grants
To get the best user experience please use a supported browser. Here are a few we recommend:
Dartmouth, MA
Department of Physics / Department of Physics is located in Dartmouth, MA, in a suburban setting.
Degrees offered.
Degree | Concentration | Sub-concentration |
---|---|---|
Master of Science (MS) | Physics |
Degree | Number Awarded |
---|---|
Master's Degrees | 5 |
Doctoral Degrees | 0 |
Other Advanced Degrees | 0 |
Part-time study available? | |
Evening/weekend programs available? | No |
Distance learning programs available? | No |
Degree | Requirement |
---|---|
Master's Degrees | Entrance Exam GRE recommended for teaching or research assistantship support Comp Exam Required Thesis Required Thesis, project or comprehensive exam |
Application deadlines.
Type | Domestic | International | Priority date |
---|---|---|---|
Fall deadline | August 16th | July 16th | No |
Spring deadline | October 1st | September 1st | No |
Exam | Details | |
---|---|---|
Master's Degree Exam | GRE recommended for teaching or research assistantship support | '); |
Master's Degree Requirements | Statement of purpose (300 - 600 words) indicating your graduate study objectives, research interests and experience or business and industry experience if applicable; official transcripts (transcripts should show class rank if available), 3 letters of recommendation and resume | |
Exam | Details | |
TOEFL: Required | TOEFL IBT score: 72 | '); |
Financial support.
Financial award applicants must submit: | FAFSA |
---|---|
Application deadlines for financial awards | March 1 |
Types of financial support available |
Race/ethnicity.
Hispanic/Latino | 7.69% |
---|---|
Black or African American | 0% |
White or Caucasian | 53% |
American Indian or Alaska Native | 0% |
Asian | 0% |
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander | 0% |
Two or more races | 0% |
Unknown | 0% |
Focus of faculty research: | Astronomy and astrophysics, big jets model with cpt invariance, photonuclear physics, quantum optics, atomic and molecular physics |
---|---|
Externally sponsored research expenditures last year: | 716,000 |
Forget your image of a classroom. Whether you're drilling ice cores at Occom Pond, using Shattuck Observatory to explore galaxy formation, or scuba diving off the coast of Little Cayman Island, experiential learning will define your studies. Under the mentorship of faculty on the cutting edge of their fields, you'll participate in innovative research that pushes the boundaries of established knowledge. Soon, you'll see every corner of the campus, and the world, as your laboratory.
âWhen I was first studying science, I found it really exciting that you could predict certain events. Think of the universe as speaking a language, or making music. Thereâs always the question of what kind of song is being played. That song is the motion of galaxies, and physicists try to figure out what that song is.â
"I have always found teaching to be inseparable from the research; discussing concepts in class or one-on-one during office hours often leads to new ideas for research projects. The learning goes both ways."
"I am constantly incorporating new tools and technology we are developing to monitor river processes into my courses. Advances in technology will enable students to gain more direct insight into hydrologic processes, allowing them to make their own discoveries."
Dartmouth creates a rich academic culture imbued with critical thinking and creativity, one that promotes experimentation, reflection, learning, and leadership. But don't take our word for it. We asked our students to tell us about some of their favorite physical and life sciences courses.
Nobel laureates, government leaders, judges, scientists, writers, scholars, journalists, entertainers-Dartmouth alumni have distinguished themselves in all fields. Here are some notable alumni in the arts and performing arts making a difference in the world.
Major: Sociology, environmental studies certificate
Studying sociology and environmental studies at Dartmouth launched Kathy Fallon Lambertâs lifelong passion for understanding how people shape the natural world. Her work uniting science and environmental policy has earned her numerous national awards and fellowships. After running the Hubbard Brook Research Foundation and managing sustainability at Dartmouth, Kathy created and now directs the Science Policy Exchange at Harvard.
Major: molecular biology and biochemistry
A degree in molecular biology and biochemistry from Dartmouth led Sourav Sinha â12 to co-found Oncolinx, a company working on developing targeted cancer treatments that will be more effective â and cause less side effects â than traditional therapies. The startup, which is partnering with a number of academic groups and pharmaceutical companies, is currently preparing to enter treatments into clinical trials. Sourav also leads Strategy and Special Projects at Celularityâwhich launched with more than $250M in financing develop cutting-edge stem cell therapies and regenerative medicines.
Major: Biology
Most scientists donât drive forklifts â but for Allison Lange, itâs just another day at work. With a biology degree from Dartmouth, a Ph.D. in biochemistry from Emory, and a postdoc under her belt, Allison decided to leave her lab coat behind and enter the world of brewery science. Sheâs now head brewer at Old Ox Brewery in Virginia, where she manages everything from recipe development to yeast management.
Basecamp to the world.
At Dartmouth, we have taken the traditional study abroad model, erased its boundaries, and expanded its parameters. Study abroad here is not an isolated semester in another country. Arranged through Dartmouth's Frank J. Guarini Institute for International Education, these powerful learning experiences are enhanced through faculty mentorship. The curriculum and structure of the school year allow students to follow their research around the world.
Biological sciences, climate science, computer science, earth science, environmental studies, mathematics, physics and astronomy, featured program news, whiskers help nectar-eating bats hover like hummingbirds.
Biology helps us understand the big picture. The study of biology connects us to the world we are living in and reminds us of our interconnectedness with all other life forms.
Students studying Biological Sciences at Dartmouth find diverse disciplines, prestigious faculty with a breadth of experience, and next-generation resources. Undergraduates, graduate students, and faculty collaborate on laboratory research, fieldwork, and publications with real-world applications. Faculty are committed to providing students with a broad exposure to biological processes and systems, as well as a deep understanding of biology at environmental, organismal, cellular, and molecular levels. Majors develop an in-depth understanding within an area of concentration, non-majors explore research methods and approaches in the life sciences, and many students enjoy opportunities to pursue research in faculty laboratories.
Chemistry is the study of energy and matter and the interaction between them. It is sometimes called the "central science" because it connects other sciencesâsuch as biology, physics, geology and environmental scienceâto each other.
Dartmouth's Chemistry Department combines the personalized instruction and mentoring of a small college with the expertise of a research university. Students majoring in chemistry can choose from five different course options, including biophysical or biological chemistry and the more and less structured plan A and B majors, while modified majors can also be crafted. The chemistry minor can be satisfied with only two courses beyond the standard premed requirements. Many undergraduate research opportunities are available to undergraduate students, and chemistry students are frequent winners of awards and honors for their research and scholarship.
Dartmouth's new Climate Science minor bridges the gap between four departments of study: Biology, Earth Sciences, Environmental Studies, and Geography. The Climate Science minor seeks to explore questions concerning the future of our world's climate and the impact of climate change on international society. This minor, through rigorous training in climate science, will prepare students for an interdisciplinary career or graduate program that requires substantive knowledge of the climate system.
At Dartmouth, courses within the Climate Science minor will be taught by faculty members from various departments to ensure that students have a comprehensive understanding of the subject. Classes examining the effects of climate change will analyze the future of water resources, floods, climate extremes, and agricultural production. This minor will require students to take introductory, breadth, quantitative, and upper-division culminating courses. By taking a wide array of courses, students will have both breadth and depth of knowledge in climate science upon their graduation from Dartmouth College.Â
Computer science empowers students to recognize that computational techniques apply to diverse problems and also to determine which techniques apply in a given situation. It teaches students to develop models, abstractions, and representations of information, and to design and implement efficient and elegant solutions to computational problems. It instills the fundamentals of computer architectures, programming languages, and operating systems, thereby enabling students to stay abreast of changes in approaches and technology.
The undergraduate curriculum in Computer Science at Dartmouth is designed to equip students with the tools necessary not only to fully comprehend modern computational technologies (software and hardware), but alsoâand more importantlyâto innovate in this exciting space, enabling students to develop new technologies that improve the world around them.
Earth Science involves the study of physical, chemical, and biological processes of the earth over time. Students who study Earth Science find opportunities in the environmental, engineering, mining, teaching, exploration and geophysics fields, and in hydrology, space science and oceanography.
The Department of Earth Sciences (EARS) at Dartmouth is devoted to the study of the natural world in which we live. Working with a tightknit faculty, students take courses and pursue research under the broad category of 'environmental geosciences'. Research in EARS combines field studies with laboratory-based and theoretical studies of fundamental processes affecting the Earth's surface through geologic time. Undergraduate students play a visible and important role in the department, both in departmental research and life.
The field of Environmental Studies views the earth, and humanity's place in it, as a set of complex, interacting socio-ecological systems. Gaining an understanding of this complexity involves drawing on concepts and methods from the natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities as complementary lenses through which to view these systems. Environmental Studies also seeks to overcome the limitations of any one of these perspectives by applying innovative approaches that integrate traditional disciplines in new and productive ways.
The faculty and curriculum of the Department of Environmental Studies (ENVS) at Dartmouth motivate and prepare students to rise to the challenges and opportunities associated with human-environment interactions. Environmental degradation is an escalating problem from local to global scales. Training students to understand and address these environmental problems is the core mission of ENVS, and it is the basis of the belief that environmental studies is an essential component of a modern liberal arts education.
Mathematics is an amazing and beautiful intellectual creation, one of the human race's deepest endeavors. The world around us and the future world we are creating is woven through with mathematicsâfrom the symmetry groups of Navajo weavings to the airflow around a flapping bird's wing and to the security of global computer networks. Mathematics is everywhere.
The Mathematics Department at Dartmouth is a place to learn about and investigate unsolved problems and mind-bending concepts. The major in mathematics is intended both for students who plan careers in mathematics and related fields and also for those who simply find mathematics interesting. The content of the major is flexible, and courses may be selected to reflect student interests. Students who major in mathematics have the opportunity to work in close collaboration with faculty through small seminars and independent research projects.
The study of physics gives students the chance to probe the workings of the universe, from the smallest elementary particles to the largest cosmological scales. Astronomy is not a mere subfield of physics, but a truly interdisciplinary quest to understand the universe.
The Department of Physics and Astronomy at Dartmouth is a community of over 100 undergraduate and graduate students, postdocs, and faculty conducting world-leading research in a wide range of fields. The physics major quickly takes students from the basic laws of mechanics to advanced and special topics in physics during sophomore or junior year. Problems in modern astronomy require a diversified background in the sciences, thus astronomy courses include high energy astrophysics, general relativity and gravitation, and more. Graduate level courses are likewise open to qualified undergraduates.
The percentage of Pell Grant recipients also increased dramatically.
Dartmouthâs efforts to make college more accessible for low- and middle-income families is making a difference.
Of the 1,184 students in the undergraduate Class of 2028, drawn from 1,003 high schools around the world, a record-setting 17% of them are in the first generation in their families to go to college. And the number of Pell Grant recipients increased by 5 percentage points to 19.4%, an all-time high for Dartmouth.
The Class of 2028 also sustains the degree of racial and ethnic diversity that characterized recent entering classes at Dartmouth.
Dartmouthâs 254th incoming undergraduate class was drawn from a record-setting applicant pool of 31,656, up 10% from the previous record set a year ago. The 5.4% acceptance rate also established a new Dartmouth record for selectivity.
The Class of 2028 is the most socioeconomically diverse class in Dartmouthâs history.
The new class hails from 49 U.S. states; Washington, D.C.; Puerto Rico; and 64 countries. Fifteen percent are from rural communities in the United Statesâa result of a new recruiting initiative launched by the undergraduate admissions office this past yearâand 14.5% are non-U.S. citizens.
The Class of 2028 is the first to enroll at Dartmouth since the income threshold for a âzero parent contributionâ increased from $65,000 to $125,000 , the highest such threshold in the nation. More than one in five students in the new class, or 22%, qualified for this new policy.
Overall, U.S. citizens and permanent residents from underrepresented racial and ethnic backgrounds increased from 26.5% to 28.2% of the entering class, as the percentage who identify as Hispanic or Latinx rose to 12.7% from 9.7% a year ago, and the percentage who identify as Black or African American is 10.2%, compared to 10.9% a year ago. Those who identify as Native American or Indigenous represent 5.3% of the class.
âThat is an exciting illustration of socioeconomic inclusion at the College,â says Lee Coffin , vice president and dean of admissions and financial aid.
The percentage of students identifying as Asian American experienced a slight decline, from 23.3% to 21.8%.
More than half of the first-year classâ50.8%âhas received scholarship aid.
The average award is $71,582, an increase of $3,700 over last year.
âThe Class of 2028 is the most socioeconomically diverse class in Dartmouthâs history,â Coffin says.
A record 19.4% of the classânearly one in fiveâqualify for a Pell Grant, federal grants awarded to students from low-income backgrounds, up from 14% a year ago.
The Class of 2028 is the first to be admitted since the U.S. Supreme Court decided in June 2023 to significantly limit how colleges and universities may consider race in their admissions policies. At the same time, writing for the courtâs majority, Chief Justice John Roberts said, â...nothing in this opinion should be construed as prohibiting universities from considering an applicantâs discussion of how race affected his or her life, be it through discrimination, inspiration, or otherwise,â including in their application essays.
âIn our selection of the Class of 2028, we were careful to comply with the limitations the Supreme Court imposed,â Coffin says. Indeed, the admissions office âmaskedâ applicantsâ responses to questions about their racial identity on the Common Appâthe universal admissions form used by Dartmouth and more than 1,000 other institutionsâand did not âunmaskâ or reveal that information until after the membership of the Class of 2028 was finalized in mid-June.
âWe took to heart the courtâs acknowledgement of holistic admissions review, which Dartmouth has practiced for over a century,â Coffin says. âWe continued to consider applicantsâ academic achievements as well as their academic passions and curiosity. And we continued to value applicantsâ accomplishments and the âlived experiencesââinside as well as outside the classroomâthat shaped their narrative and identity.â
In remarks welcoming the class to Dartmouth on Sept. 4, Coffin brought those narratives to vivid life.
âYour multidimensional backgrounds and perspectives will animate your undergraduate experience in mysterious ways,â he told the new class, before adding: âThatâs the magic of college. Thatâs the magic of this college and this class.â
The Office of Communications can be reached at [email protected] .
Department of physics and astronomy.
American physical society, american astronomical society, physics central, careers in physics and astronomy, beyond the undergraduate degree.
Hello, Physics and Astronomy Majors.
Hopefully, you have begun to think about what comes beyond graduation. A major in physics or astronomy is excellent preparation for a career in science and technology, and for investigation, critical thinking, and problem solving --- important qualities for a wide range of activities beyond the scientific domain. The goal of this web page is to collect information and dispense wisdom aimed at preparing you for life beyond Wilder Laboratory.
To begin, here are some extremely useful online resources for up-and-coming physicists and astronomers:
American Institute of Physics . The AIP is an umbrella organization for US physicists and astronomers, and maintains most of the pages listed below.
American Physical Society . A member society of the AIP dedicated specifically to physics with an undergraduate and careers -specific page.
American Astronomical Society . A member society of the AIP dedicated specifically to astronomy, also with its own pages on higher education and careers .
Society of Physics Students . A society sponsored by the AIP, invested entirely in guiding students of the physical sciences through higher education and into professional work, and which maintains a top-notch Career Resources page. You are strongly encouraged to visit this site --- I'm sure that you will be surprised by the diversity of fields and activities which draw upon physics.
Finally, the AIP publishes Physics Today, a monthly magazine which keeps all of us physicists up-to-date with the physics world, and maintains the fantastic site Physics Central , probably the best place to start if you want to find out what's new in the physical sciences. Â
For a different kind of post-graduate experience, you might consider the Peace Corps or Teach for America , a national corps of individuals who commit for at least two years to teach in under-resourced urban and rural public schools (like a domestic Peace Corps).
If you are interested in pursuing physics or astronomy beyond graduation, most likely this will involve graduate school. The rest of the web page will be devoted to grad school (the path chosen by this author).
Where to start? Ask yourself "What do I really like about physics? And what kinds of physics do I really like?" Look down the road several years, and consider "Where do I want to go after graduate school -- Academe? Industry? Business?'' The answers will help to guide you. For a more pragmatic starting point, consult the publication Careers in Science and Engineering: A Student Planning Guide to Grad School and Beyond . There is another resource nearby, in the form of graduate students and faculty, all of whom have dealt with these questions, some more recently than others. You should take advantage of this resource, and ask a friendly TA or advisor for suggestions.
In a nutshell, grad school in physics is an odyssey that will push you far beyond your undergraduate education, to the edge of human knowledge. Seriously, it takes between 4 and 7 years to complete a PhD, of which the first two years are usually occupied by coursework and the final 2-5 years are an apprenticeship in research. The culmination is a PhD thesis, in which you formally present your original research work to the scientific community. Physics grad school is different from many other graduate programs because you are paid for your training. In exchange for teaching or grading duties, your tuition is covered, and you are given a stipend (roughly $16-22K, depending on the school and the local cost of living). In some ways it is a job, with duties and responsibilities. But it can be very agreeable, in that you set your own hours and work on something you (ideally) enjoy --- physics. You may find more useful tips at Physics.org . And for the lighter side of all this, see the comic-strip PhD .
Where to go to graduate school? US News & World Report publishes an annual ranking of the top schools in physics . The National Research Council has also compiled a ranking of physics and astronomy PhD programs . These lists can be used as a guide, to let you know which are the better grad schools, in the eyes of other physicists. However, it is much more important that you identify a set of graduate schools that concentrate in your area of interest, or are broad enough to allow you to find a specialty. This site has an interactive program that allows you to select schools based on your interests, as well as a lot of other useful information. Ultimately, one's success is not simply determined by where you went to school, but what you do and who you work with. (A recent article " On the Importance of PhD Institution in Establishing a Long-Term Career in Astronomy " backs up this statement.)
Three of the best resources for finding a graduate school are:
1)Â Graduate Programs in Physics, Astronomy, and Related Fields , published annually by the AIP and available in the Physics & Astronomy Department office;
2)Â GradSchoolShopper.Com , a web site operated by the AIP;
3)Â Peterson's Guide to Grad Schools .
Each of these will allow you to identify schools or programs by specialty or strength, give web links to the schools, and list important application information (deadlines, requirements, etc). Pick out a couple dozen schools that interest you and research them thoroughly.
Next comes the process of applying to schools. It is reasonable to apply to somewhere between 6-10 schools. It is good to set your goals high, but it is also wise to set achievable goals (hence the safety school). While the details vary, most schools require: official college transcripts, a list of all physics courses with textbooks used, three letters of recommendation from professors, a statement of interests, and official copies of your scores on the general and physics subject GRE tests. The application deadlines for schools range from the beginning of December to the end of January.
Practically all graduate schools require that you take the GRE general test (three parts: verbal, analytical, and quantitative) as well as the physics subject test. Check the Education Testing Service  or Graduate Record Exam  web pages for testing dates and locations. What's important here? From experience, you won't need to spend a substantial amount of time preparing for the general test. These are very much like the SATs, and after three years of college you're that much smarter. Still, it helps to look over some practice tests, and to get a good night's sleep beforehand. A good score --- or more specifically, a high percentile --- improves your chances. How do grad schools use the scores on the general test? No school has a minimum score requirement, but this is not to say that they aren't important. The score is typically used as a further check of the student's aptitude, beyond grades.
Which brings us to the GRE physics subject test. To quote the GRE site, "the test consists of approximately 100 questions, most of which relate to the first three years of undergraduate physics. Topics include classical mechanics (20%), fundamentals of electromagnetism (18%), atomic physics (10%), physical optics and wave phenomena (9%), quantum mechanics (12%), thermodynamics and statistical mechanics (10%), special relativity (6%), and laboratory methods (6%). The remaining 9% of the test covers advanced topics such as nuclear and particle physics, condensed matter physics, and astrophysics." There is no astronomy GRE test --- many astronomy or astrophysics programs do not require a subject test. This has everything to do with the historical evolution of astronomy programs as a separate entity from physics departments, and nothing to do with the importance of physics in astronomy.
It is in your best interest to study for the physics GRE. While the subject test will not make or break your career, it can have a strong impact on where you get in to school. See PhysicsGRE  for useful tips. Essentially, one can benefit by studying first- and second-year physics in the months preceding the exam (including the summer between junior and senior year) . Since there are very few practice tests available (see GRE: Practicing to Take the GRE Physics Test, available from the ETS and Amazon ), it is wise to ration them throughout your preparation.
A good score on the physics GRE will certainly improve your chances at the school of your choice. Again, no school has a minimum score requirement. A score above the 60th percentile is generally regarded as good, but you may need to score above the 80th percentile to compete with other students applying to the top rated grad schools.
Finally, one really shouldn't hear this before taking the exam, but here goes. As important as the physics GRE is, there is no correlation between a high score and grad school success. Its weakness lies in that it can only really test quick calculation, as opposed to deep reflection or creative, physical insight. These problems with the subject GRE are described in an article in Science, Nov. 1 1996 issue, vol. 274, pp.710-712 . You can take some comfort in knowing that graduate committees realize the limitations of the test scores, and look for other evidence of scholarly aptitude and research potential in the rest of your application material.
Your application is supported by three letters of reference. For physics grad school, it's best to have physics professors write on your behalf. You should choose your references wisely, have at least one professor write for you who knows you outside the classroom (this includes in the lab or after class in office hours). The letter will assess your physics aptitude, based on classroom or lab experience, and may compare you to your fellow students. Make sure to ask them if they would feel comfortable in writing you a strong letter.
Finally, an important piece of supporting material is your statement of interest. This is a 1-2 page essay in which you may describe your physics interests. This is your chance to explain why you are applying to the physics program at the University of ___ (fill in the blank). If you have a specific interest, this is the place to state it. The grad committee is on the lookout not only for smart students, but smart students to fill slots in their research programs, so they want to know if you are interested in experiment or theory, biophysics or cosmology, and why. If you have research experience, this is the place to mention it (and if the research has lead to a publication, be sure to say so!). And avoid the over-dramatic essay ("Ever since I was a child of 5, when I discovered the law of light refraction of while playing with bubbles in my bath, I have longed to pursue a career in physics at Dartmouth...'').
Overall, your chances for getting into the graduate school of your choice are best if all your application materials indicate that you are a student with a strong aptitude for physics and who shows excellent promise for future study and research. If you don't get into the school of your choice --- well, the system is not perfect. If you do get into any grad school, even if it's somewhere further down your list, then congratulations. Remember, it's what you make of your chances that counts.
The Frank J. Guarini School of Graduate and Advanced studies at Dartmouth offers masters and doctoral degrees across a broad range of programs, including several interdisciplinary programs and doctoral programs connected to the professional schools at Dartmouth. Postdoctoral scholars  with appointments across Dartmouth College, the professional schools, and Dartmouth-Hitchcock are also affiliated with the Guarini School.Â
In ENGM 188 : Technology, Law, and Entrepreneurship, Professor Oliver Goodenough guides Thayer School graduate students through the intricacies of the legal system that surrounds entrepreneurial enterprises. (Photo by Douglas Fraser)
Master's programs (ms and ma).
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The Department of Physics and Astronomy at Dartmouth offers a unique graduate program leading to the PhD degree. Here the world-class Dartmouth faculty---among the top researchers in the world in the targeted subjects of quantum and condensed matter physics, plasma and fluids, space physics, and astronomy, astrophysics and cosmology---work side-by-side with students.
The whole debate was to point out that physics PhD programs do not have single digit acceptance rate. The acceptance rate bottoms out at approximately 12% and can hover as high as 30% and slightly higher for domestic students. I was looking at UCLA data for domestics which is among top 50 programs.
Program Supplement. Indicate your areas of interest: Astrophysics and Cosmology Observation. Astrophysics and Cosmology Theory. High Energy Theory. Plasma and Space Physics Experiment. Plasma and Space Physics Theory. Quantum and Condensed Matter Experiment. Quantum and Condensed Matter Theory.
Receiving credit for at least two terms of Supervised Undergraduate Teaching (Physics 257) and Physics 256. Completing a dissertation of substantial significance and publishable quality. Successfully defending the dissertation before the PhD Thesis Committee in a public forum. It is expected that most students will receive the PhD degree by the ...
Department of Physics and Astronomy at Dartmouth College provides on-going educational opportunities to those students seeking advanced degrees. ... (PhD) Degrees Awarded. Degree ... Admissions. Acceptance Rate. 108 Applied 20 Accepted 10 Enrolled
15 Thayer Drive, Hanover, NH 03755. [email protected]. Ready to apply to Dartmouth's engineering PhD , the PhD-Innovation (PhD-I) Program , the PhD in Medical Physics , or the PhD-MD ? To help studentsâŠ.
A community of over 100 undergraduate and graduate students, postdocs, and faculty conducting world-leading research in a wide range of fields. Home. Undergraduate. Graduate. Foreign Study. Research. Inclusivity. News & Events. People.
Please APPLY through the Guarini School for the following graduate programs: MASTER'S PROGRAMS. Chemistry a 4+1 only. Comparative Literature. Computer Science. Earth Sciences. Master of Arts in Liberal Studies. Sonic Practice. DOCTORAL PROGRAMS.
Get information on the graduate programs at Dartmouth College at US News. Find out what programs are offered and get admissions, tuition, and student information.
The application fee is $50 for U.S. residents and $50 for international students. Its tuition is full-time: $63,684 per year. The 2023 Ph.D. student-faculty ratio is 3.7:1. The Thayer School of ...
Dartmouth College: Applied 12/28/21 Accepted: Montana State University: 3/1 ... Applied: (All Physics PhD) UChicago, Illinois: 14 Dec. TempleU: 14 Dec [Interview with GradComm: 8 Feb] ... What is currently the most competitive PhD program for acceptance rates in STEM?
Find out more about the Dartmouth PhD in General Physics program. Cost, average salary of graduates. average debt loads, and more. college ... Of those graduates who received a doctor's degree in general physics at Dartmouth in 2019-2020, 20.0% were racial-ethnic minorities*. This is higher than the nationwide number of 9%. Race/Ethnicity
Data collection lasted six weeks. A gift certificate to the Pine Restaurant for $50.00 was provided as an incentive. Overall response rate was 47% (467/1,003). The response rate for Ph.D. students was 53% (350/662) and for Master's was 34% (117/341). There were no statistically significant differences between survey respondents and non ...
Graduate School Rankings. # 10. in Best Business Schools (tie) in Finance. # 8. in Management (tie) in Marketing. # 57. in Best Engineering Schools (tie)
If the data does not look right, click the "Report" button located near the top of the page. đ Dartmouth College undergraduate and postgraduate acceptance rates, statistics and applications for BA, BSc, Masters and PhD programs for years 2010 through 2023. Most and least competitive courses at Dartmouth.
PhD students interested in business administration and management may obtain an Engineering Management Certificate by completing any three of the following courses in addition to their PhD requirements: ENGM 180: Accounting and Finance. ENGM 181: Marketing. ENGM 183: Operations Management. ENGM 185: Topics in Manufacturing Design and Processes.
Department of Physics at University of Massachusetts Dartmouth provides on-going educational opportunities to those students seeking advanced degrees. ... Acceptance Rate. 14 Applied 13 ... Graduate Program Director, Physics Email: [email protected] Phone: 508-999-8353 . Larger Map. Home; Grad Schools;
It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 4,556, and admissions are extremely selective, with an acceptance rate of 6%. The college offers 75 bachelor's degrees, has an average graduation rate of 94%, and a student-faculty ratio of 7:1. Tuition and fees for students are $58,953.
6127 Wilder Laboratory, Hanover, NH 03755-3528 (603) 646-2854. [email protected] . Website
The Department of Physics and Astronomy at Dartmouth is a community of over 100 undergraduate and graduate students, postdocs, and faculty conducting world-leading research in a wide range of fields. The physics major quickly takes students from the basic laws of mechanics to advanced and special topics in physics during sophomore or junior year.
A diverse and inclusive intellectual community is critical to an exceptional education, scholarly innovation, and human creativity. The Faculty of Arts and Sciences is committed to actions and investments that foster welcoming environments where everyone feels empowered to achieve their greatest potential for learning, teaching, researching, and creating.
Dartmouth's 254th incoming undergraduate class was drawn from a record-setting applicant pool of 31,656, up 10% from the previous record set a year ago. The 5.4% acceptance rate also established a new Dartmouth record for selectivity.
Physics grad school is different from many other graduate programs because you are paid for your training. In exchange for teaching or grading duties, your tuition is covered, and you are given a stipend (roughly $16-22K, depending on the school and the local cost of living). In some ways it is a job, with duties and responsibilities.
The Frank J. Guarini School of Graduate and Advanced studies at Dartmouth offers masters and doctoral degrees across a broad range of programs, including several interdisciplinary programs and doctoral programs connected to the professional schools at Dartmouth. Postdoctoral scholars with appointments across Dartmouth College, the professional ...