Most areas of interest in contemporary research are represented in the department, including atomic physics, elementary particle physics, nuclear physics, condensed matter physics and statistical mechanics, astrophysics, astronomy and general relativity, biophysics, and the theoretical and historical foundations of physics. The graduate program leads to the Ph.D. degree with research in either experimental or theoretical physics. The physics program is a combination of course work and research designed to prepare the student for a career in research, teaching or industry. The curriculum contains a sequence of basic courses in the fundamental areas of physics followed by advanced courses and seminars in specialized areas of study. Students become active participants in a research program of the department in the second semester of their graduate work.
Graduate students have appointments as teaching or research assistants during the academic year.
Teaching assignments involve duties such as assisting in the laboratories and proctoring and grading examinations. In recent years, the amount of time required for these duties has averaged about 12 hours per week. Graduate students are not required to teach in the classroom. During the summer, most students hold research assistantships funded by their advisor. Typically more advanced graduate students are supported by research assistantships.