Admission Requirements/Program Information
Mailing Address:
Department of Physics,
845 West Taylor Street,
MC 273, Chicago, IL 60607-7059
Campus Location: 2236 SES
Department Code: 17
Curriculum Code: 5432
Admission Codes: 20FS0240MS (MS); 20FS0240PHD (PhD)
Telephone: (312) 996-3400
Email: physics@uic.edu
Head of the Department: Henrik Aratyn
Interim Director of Graduate Studies: Mark Adams
| The Department of Physics offers work leading to degrees in Physics at both the master's and doctoral levels. Experimental and theoretical work leading to a graduate degree is available in the general areas of: atomic, molecular, and laser physics; biophysics; condensed matter and materials physics; high-energy particle physics; and high-energy nuclear physics. |
Admission Requirements:
| Applicants are considered on an individual basis. Complete transcripts of all undergraduate and any graduate work must be submitted. In addition to the Graduate College minimum requirements, applicants must meet the following program requirements: |
| Baccalaureate Field | No restrictions. Prior academic work must include at least 20 semester hours of physics, including Phys 401, 421, and 441, or the equivalents. |
| Grade Point Average | At least 2.75 (A=4.00) for the final 60 semester (90 quarter) hours of undergraduate study. |
| Tests Required | GRE general exam is required; GRE Physics subject exam is highly recommended, but not required. |
| Minimum TOEFL Score | 550 (paper-based); 213 (computer-based); 80 (internet-based). |
| Letters of Recommendation | Three required. |
| Personal Statement | Required. |
Degree Requirements:
| In addition to the Graduate College minimum requirements, students must meet the following program requirements: |
Master of Science
| Minimum Semester Hours Required | 32 |
| Coursework | At least 20 hours must be at the 500 level, of which no more than 4 hours may be in Phys 596. No more than 8 hours may be in Phys 598 if in thesis option. |
| Required Courses | Phys 501, 502, 511, and 512 |
| Comprehensive Examination | None |
| Thesis/Project/Coursework options | Thesis or coursework-only. No other options available |
| Thesis | No more than 8 hours of Phys 598 can be applied to the degree |
Doctor of Philosophy
| Minimum Semester Hours Required | 96 from the baccalaureate |
| Coursework | At least 36 hours must be in 500-level courses other than Phys 596 and 599 |
| Required Courses | Phys 501, 502, 511, 512, and 561; five semesters of the Graduate Seminar, Phys 595; and at least one complete sequence chosen from among the following: Phys 513 and 514 or Phys 521 and 522 or Phys 531 and 532 or Phys 551 and 552 |
| Examinations | Departmental Qualifying Examination: Required; oral |
| Preliminary Examination | Required |
| Dissertation | Required |
| Other Requirements | Each student must serve as a teaching assistant for at least two semesters |
