Top physics doctoral programs offer many research opportunities.
Perhaps the world's oldest discipline, physics is a natural science that focuses on the study of matter, motion and space, and how they relate to forces like energy, magnetism and gravity. According to US News & World Report, a four-way tie exists among universities with top-ranked physics doctoral program. As of 2010, each is listed as the best physics program in the country.
California Institute of Technology
The California Institute of Technology (CalTech) is a private, research-oriented university in Pasadena. Doctoral students participate in an array of research projects, often funded by large federal agencies, such as NASA and U.S. Departments of Energy, Defense and Health and Human Services. While admission is competitive, the only entrance requirements are GRE exam scores and a bachelor of arts or science degree. CalTech does not have a master's degree program. Students can specialize in a variety of areas, including classical mechanics, optics, quantum mechanics and other fields.
California Institute of Technology
Division of Physics, Mathematics & Astronomy
103-33 Pasadena, CA 91125
626-395-4244
www.pma.caltech.edu/
Harvard University
Harvard offers a physics Ph.D. program that focuses on experimental and theoretical research. The program is affiliated with four Harvard departments, including the School of Engineering and Applied Science (SEAS), the biophyics program and the math and astronomy departments. Students study astrophysics, high-energy particle physics, quantum optics, string theory, relativity and other topics. They create a individual curriculum based on their interests. Depending on their specialization, the only required courses are Advanced Quantum Mechanics, Advanced Electromagnetism, Modern Optics and Statistical Thermodynamics.
Harvard University
Department of Physics
17 Oxford Street
Cambridge, MA 02138
617-495-2872
www.physics.harvard.edu/
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Based in Cambridge, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) is a private, research-oriented university that offers physics Ph.D. programs in the following areas: astrophysics, experimental nuclear physics, theoretical particle physics and atomic, biophysics and plasma physics. Admission to MIT programs are competitive and entrance requirements include a transcript, GRE exam scores, undergraduate transcripts and letters of recommendation.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Department of Physics
77 Massachusetts Avenue
Cambridge, MA 02139-4307
617-253-4841
www.mit.edu/
Stanford University
Stanford University, in the San Francisco Bay area, features a physics Ph.D. program in applied physics, and students have the opportunity to work in specialized laboratories, including the Stanford Linear Accelerator Center and the Synchrotron Research Laboratory. Unlike most schools, Stanford also features rotation assistantships that allow students to work in several departments and research projects before choosing a specialty. Physics doctoral students must complete two years of course work, research training, a dissertation and teaching undergraduate classes.
Department of Physics
Varian Physics Room 108
Stanford, CA 94305-4060
650-723-4344
www.stanford.edu/
Tags: Institute Technology, California Institute, California Institute Technology, Department Physics, Massachusetts Institute
