Physics - Ph.D.

The Ph.D. degree in Physics provides training of professionals to conduct independently conceived programs of research or teaching in universities or research laboratories. Original research is required in fundamental or applied areas of physics, and the Ph.D. dissertation must be orally defended. Two years of graduate coursework and four years of research are typical.

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Program Information for Physics - Ph.D.

Learning Outcomes

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate cognitive skills important to a physicist, including the following:
    1. Think critically and analytically;
    2. Define and solve problems in physics; and
    3. Perform research in contemporary areas of physics research at the highest level and with a great deal of independence.
  2. Demonstrate a core knowledge and understanding of the foundations of physics.
  3. Communicate results of their work to peers, various target groups within the physics community and people outside the discipline.

Admissions for Physics - Ph.D.

For more information about graduate admissions, visit the graduate admission website. For more information on international admissions, visit the international admission website.

Admission Requirements

  • Bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university
  • Minimum 2.750 GPA on a 4.000-point scale
  • Official transcript(s)
  • Résumé or vita
  • Goal statement
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • English language proficiency - all international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions to waive) by earning one of the following:1
    • Minimum 79 TOEFL iBT score
    • Minimum 6.5 IELTS score
    • Minimum 58 PTE score
    • Minimum 110 DET score
    • Starting with the spring 2027 admission term, the minimum proficiency scores will be:
      • Minimum 71 TOEFL iBT score
      • Minimum 6.0 IELTS score
      • Minimum 50 PTE score
      • Minimum 100 DET score
1

International applicants who do not meet the above test scores may be considered for conditional admission.

Application Deadlines

  • Fall Semester
    • Priority deadline: February 1
      Applications submitted by this deadline will receive the strongest consideration for admission.
  • Spring Semester
    • Application deadline: September 1
      Applications submitted after this deadline will be considered on a space-available basis.

Coursework

On This Page

Program Requirements

Major Requirements

Major Requirements 1
PHY 75204CLASSICAL ELECTRODYNAMICS II 3
PHY 75301STATISTICAL MECHANICS I 4
PHY 76162QUANTUM MECHANICS II 3
PHY 76163QUANTUM MECHANICS III 3
PHY 76201PARTICLE PHYSICS 3
PHY 76303APPLICATIONS OF QUANTUM CHROMODYNAMICS 3
or PHY 76403 ADVANCED CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS
or PHY 78401 LIQUID CRYSTAL PHYSICS
PHY 76401SOLID STATE PHYSICS I 3
Physics (PHY) Graduate Electives (50000 level or higher)8-38
Culminating Requirement
PHY 80199DISSERTATION I 230
Minimum Total Credit Hours for Post-Baccalaureate Students90
Minimum Total Credit Hours for Post-Master's Students60
1

Students may petition to substitute a specific course if a minimum B grade was earned for a course at another university that is judged to be equivalent. The required physics courses will prepare the student for the candidacy examination.

2

Upon admission to candidacy, each student must register for PHY 80199 for a total of 30 credit hours. Thereafter, students should register for PHY 80299 continuously each term until all degree requirements have been met. Credit hours for PHY 80299 do not count toward the degree.

3

Additional program requirements are selected in consultation with the student's faculty advisor.

Graduation Requirements
Minimum Major GPA Minimum Overall GPA
- 3.000

Dissertation

The dissertation must present and interpret original research. Topics available for dissertation research are primarily in the areas of condensed matter physics, material science, biophysics, theoretical astrophysics and high-energy nuclear physics.

Students present at least one seminar based on their dissertation research during their graduate career.

Program Delivery

  • Delivery:
    • In person
  • Location:
    • Kent Campus

Physics - M.A.

Build a deeper understanding of the physical world with Kent State’s flexible Physics M.A., a customizable program designed to fit your background and career goals — whether you are advancing in education or industry or preparing for further study. Tailored for working professionals and aspiring educators alike, it offers the freedom to shape your coursework while strengthening your foundation in core physics concepts.

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Program Information for Physics - M.A.

Program Description

Full Description

The Master of Arts degree in Physics is a highly flexible program consisting of graduate coursework that can be customized according to the academic background and needs of the individual student. This flexibility is a good match for the needs of part-time students who continue to hold full-time employment in secondary education or in industry.

Post-baccalaureate students in the Ph.D. degree in Physics may apply for the M.A. degree after completing the requirements.

Admissions for Physics - M.A.

For more information about graduate admissions, visit the graduate admission website. For more information on international admissions, visit the international admission website.

Admission Requirements

  • Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university
  • Minimum 2.750 undergraduate GPA on a 4.000-point scale
  • Official transcript(s)
  • Résumé or vita
  • Goal statement
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • English language proficiency - all international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions to waive) by earning one of the following:1
    • Minimum 79 TOEFL iBT score
    • Minimum 6.5 IELTS score
    • Minimum 58 PTE score
    • Minimum 110 DET score
    • Starting with the spring 2027 admission term, the minimum proficiency scores will be:
      • Minimum 71 TOEFL iBT score
      • Minimum 6.0 IELTS score
      • Minimum 50 PTE score
      • Minimum 100 DET score
1

International applicants who do not meet the above test scores may be considered for conditional admission.

Application Deadlines

  • Fall Semester
    • Priority deadline: February 1
      Applications submitted by this deadline will receive the strongest consideration for admission.
  • Spring Semester
    • Application deadline: September 1
      Applications submitted after this deadline will be considered on a space-available basis.

Learning Outcomes

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of these programs will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate cognitive skills important to a physicist, including to think critically and analytically and define and solve problems in physics.
  2. Demonstrate a core knowledge and understanding of the foundations of physics.

Coursework

On This Page

Program Requirements

Major Requirements

Major Requirements
Physics (PHY) Graduate Electives (50000 level or higher)15
Physics (PHY) Graduate Electives (60000 level or higher)15
Minimum Total Credit Hours:30

Graduation Requirements
Minimum Major GPA Minimum Overall GPA
- 3.000
  • A total of 30 semester credit hours of graduate courses is required, with no more than one half at the 50000 level. The distribution of these hours will be planned by the student together with the faculty advisor to best fulfill the preparation of the student.
  • No more than one-half of a graduate student’s coursework may be taken in 50000-level courses.
  • Grades below C are not counted toward completion of requirements for the degree.
Program Delivery

  • Delivery:
    • In person
  • Location:
    • Kent Campus

Physics - M.S.

The Master of Science degree in Physics consists of graduate coursework and a research project taking one or two semesters. The research project should result in a written report. Students may choose to complete a thesis, to be defended orally. This degree provides entry-level qualifications for team research employment or a high school teaching career.

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Program Information for Physics - M.S.

Learning Outcomes

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate cognitive skills important to a physicist, including the following:
    1. Think critically and analytically;
    2. Define and solve problems in physics; and
    3. Conduct quantitative research in a contemporary area of physics.
  2. Demonstrate a core knowledge and understanding of the foundations of physics.
  3. Communicate results of their work to peers, various target groups within the physics community and people outside the discipline. Teaching skills also come under this heading.

Admissions for Physics - M.S.

For more information about graduate admissions, visit the graduate admission website. For more information on international admissions, visit the international admission website.

Admission Requirements

  • Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university
  • Minimum 2.750 undergraduate GPA on a 4.000-point scale
  • Official transcript(s)
  • Résumé or vita
  • Goal statement
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • English language proficiency - all international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions to waive) by earning one of the following:1
    • Minimum 79 TOEFL iBT score
    • Minimum 6.5 IELTS score
    • Minimum 58 PTE score
    • Minimum 110 DET score
    • Starting with the spring 2027 admission term, the minimum proficiency scores will be:
      • Minimum 71 TOEFL iBT score
      • Minimum 6.0 IELTS score
      • Minimum 50 PTE score
      • Minimum 100 DET score
1

International applicants who do not meet the above test scores may be considered for conditional admission.

Application Deadlines

  • Fall Semester
    • Priority deadline: February 1
      Applications submitted by this deadline will receive the strongest consideration for admission.
  • Spring Semester
    • Application deadline: September 1
      Applications submitted after this deadline will be considered on a space-available basis.

Coursework

On This Page

Program Requirements

Major Requirements

Major Requirements
PHY 65101CLASSICAL MECHANICS 3
PHY 66161QUANTUM MECHANICS I 3
Physics (PHY) Graduate Electives (50000 level or higher) 110-12
Major Electives, choose from the following:6-8
PHY 55201
ELECTROMAGNETIC THEORY
PHY 55301
THERMAL PHYSICS
PHY 55401
MATHEMATICAL METHODS IN PHYSICS
PHY 65203
CLASSICAL ELECTRODYNAMICS I
PHY 65301
STATISTICAL MECHANICS I
Culminating Experience
Choose from the following:6
PHY 60098
RESEARCH 2
PHY 60199
THESIS I 3
Minimum Total Credit Hours:30
1

Students select electives in consultation with their faculty advisor.

2

Students who select research (non-thesis option) are required to submit a written research report.

3

Students who select the thesis option are required to submit and orally defend a thesis. The thesis topic is chosen together with the research advisor and must be defended to a committee of physics graduate faculty. Students must register for PHY 60199 for a total of 6 credit hours. It is expected that students will continuously register for PHY 60199 — and, thereafter PHY 60299 if needed — each semester until all requirements for the thesis have been met. Credit hours for PHY 60299 do not count toward the degree.

Graduation Requirements
Minimum Major GPA Minimum Overall GPA
- 3.000
  • No more than one-half of a graduate student’s coursework may be taken in 50000-level courses.
  • Grades below C are not counted toward completion of requirements for the degree.
Program Delivery

  • Delivery:
    • In person
  • Location:
    • Kent Campus

Physics - Minor

The Physics minor allows students with a major or interest in natural sciences, mathematics, education and technology to complement their studies and enhance their academic credentials. Non-science majors may find that the minor enhances their knowledge of this useful and fascinating field.

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Program Information for Physics - Minor

Learning Outcomes

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate a conceptual and quantitative understanding of fundamental principles of classical and modern physics.
  2. Develop analytical and critical thinking skills, and use these skills to solve scientific problems.
  3. Develop oral and written communication skills to present scientific findings obtained through theoretical, computational and experimental efforts.

Admissions for Physics - Minor

Admission Requirements

Admission to a minor is open to students declared in a bachelor’s degree, the A.A.B. or A.A.S. degree or the A.T.S. degree (not Individualized Program major). Students declared only in the A.A. or A.S. degree or the A.T.S. degree in Individualized Program may not declare a minor. Students may not pursue a minor and a major in the same discipline.

Coursework

On This Page

Program Requirements
Minor Prerequisites
MATH 11010
ALGEBRA FOR CALCULUS (KMCR)
MATH 11022
TRIGONOMETRY (KMCR)
MATH 12002
ANALYTIC GEOMETRY AND CALCULUS I (KMCR)
MATH 12003
ANALYTIC GEOMETRY AND CALCULUS II
Minor Requirements
PHY 12000INTRODUCTORY PHYSICS SEMINAR (ELR) 1
PHY 23101GENERAL UNIVERSITY PHYSICS I (KBS) (KLAB) 5
PHY 23102GENERAL UNIVERSITY PHYSICS II (KBS) (KLAB) 5
PHY 30020INTERMEDIATE PHYSICS LABORATORY (WIC) 2
PHY 36001INTRODUCTORY MODERN PHYSICS 3
Physics (PHY) Upper-Division Electives (30000 or 40000 level)6
Minimum Total Credit Hours:22

Graduation Requirements
Minimum Minor GPA Minimum Overall GPA
2.000 2.000
  • Minimum 6 credit hours in the minor must be upper-division coursework (30000 and 40000 level).
  • Minimum 6 credit hours in the minor must be outside of the course requirements for any major or other minor the student is pursuing.
  • Minimum 50 percent of the total credit hours for the minor must be taken at Kent State (in residence).
Program Delivery

  • Delivery:
    • In person
  • Location:
    • Kent Campus

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