Graduate Study in Physics

• Programs:
  - Full-time PhD
  - Full-time and part-time MS

• Inquiry:
  - Request Information

• How to Apply:
  - online

• Application Materials checklist:
  - Transcripts
  - Three Recommendations
  - GRE and Subject GRE examination scores
  - TOEFL/IELTS score (for international students whose primary instruction was not in English)

Common Questions About the PhD Program

• What kinds of research do you do at Northeastern?
  - Elementary particle/astro-particle physics, condensed matter physics, nanophysics, biological physics, and the physics of complex systems, but these all cover broad areas. You should look at our research page for more complete information.
• Will I receive a teaching or research assistantship?
  - Incoming PhD students will receive a total package of approximately $32,000 comprised of a teaching assistantship stipend of approximately $22,500 together with a full tuition waiver (equivalent to approximately $8000) and full medical coverage (equivalent to approximately $1500) for 2007-2008.
  - An advanced student fully supported on a research assistantship receives a total compensation package of approximately $36,000 comprised of a stipend of $26,505 together with a full tuition waiver (equivalent to approximately $8000) and full medical coverage (equivalent to approximately $1500) for 2007-2008 .
• What are my duties as a teaching assistant?
  - You will be assigned twenty hours of teaching, grading, and proctoring duties per week. New students are expected to take a short introductory course in teaching techniques before school starts.
• What courses will I be taking? Will there be a qualifying or comprehensive exam?
  - Our standard first-year graduate courses which are designed to provide a thorough knowledge of the basics of modern physics: electromagnetism, classical mechanics and mathematical methods of physics, quantum mechanics, and statistical physics.
  - At the beginning of the second year a qualifying examination is given based on this material. The second-year courses are designed to prepare the student for independent research and cover elementary particle physics, condensed matter physics, biological physics, and computational physics.
  - The student is expected to submit a PhD proposal by the end of their third year and give a seminar on the topic.
• How long does it take to get a PhD?
  - Students are expected to complete their coursework and research in 5 years.
• What sort of job can I get as a PhD physicist?
  - The American Institute of Physics has statistics about employment opportunities in physics.
  - The AIP Career Network provides helpful career information and job opportunities for both undergraduate and graduate students.
  - Visit our graduate student job database for a list of our graduates' first or current jobs.