Graduate students in physics at UAlbany have the opportunity to take courses and do creative research in a wide variety of areas ranging from the forefront of particle physics to applications in medicine.  Our students’ imagination, industry and intelligence lead to new discoveries in physics. Our goal is to assist the students by supplying the basic intellectual and physical tools needed for successful research.

PH.D. IN PHYSICS

The Ph.D. is the primary graduate degree offered by the Physics Department. Students receiving this degree have made significant contributions to scientific knowledge. They are skilled scientists who can carry out independent research and teaching. Thus the fundamental requirement for the Ph.D. is a dissertation which presents original and significant physics. Students are admitted to candidacy for a Ph.D. only after they have demonstrated a thorough knowledge of basic physics through course work and examinations. Typically, a Ph.D. requires 5 to 6 years beyond a B.S. degree.  Most full time doctoral students receive support in the form of teaching or research assistantships, and tuition waivers.

M.S. IN PHYSICS

Students who decide to complete a thesis-based master's degree must present the results of a significant research project and write a master’s thesis in addition to satisfying course requirements. Non-thesis master's degrees are obtained by satisfying course requirements, and by completing portions of a comprehensive field exam. It is possible to obtain a master's degree in one to two years.