Grad student looking at a monitor with results in the Cloud Chamber

Tomorrow Needs You. Are You Ready?

Receive a graduate education from an accredited institution.

Physics—MS, PhD

Where do the highest-energy cosmic rays come from? Can nanotubes of boron nitride be used to make new electronic devices? Why do some clouds rain while others don’t? These are just some of the questions that motivate faculty and students alike in the physics department at Michigan Technological University. Our department is a close-knit and vibrant community of scholars working together to find answers to these and many other fundamental questions. Are you ready?

Accelerated Master's Program is available for current Michigan Tech students.

Program Overview

With a master's or doctorate in physics study five areas of research interest: astrophysics and particle astrophysics; atmospheric physics; materials physics; photonics and quantum optics; and atomic, molecular, and optical physics. Some of the current research projects include first principles studies of structure-property relationships in 2-D nanomaterials beyond graphene for defense applications, and the influence of nucleation on ice microphysical properties of mixed-phase stratiform clouds and many additional projects.

Delivery Options
- Accelerated: MS
- On-Campus: MS, PhD

Physics Program Details

Choose a specific degree option or delivery type to learn more about the physics program at Michigan Tech. For international students, Physics is a designated STEM program.

On-Campus Programs

PhD Requirements, Physics

To complete a doctoral degree, students must complete the following milestones:

Complete all coursework and research credits (see credit requirements below)
Pass Qualifying Examination
Pass Research Proposal Examination
Prepare and Submit Approved Dissertation
Pass Final Oral Defense

The minimum credit requirements are as follows:

Total Credit Requirements
Degrees	Credits
MS-PhD (minimum)	30 Credits
BS-PhD (minimum)	60 Credits

Individual programs may have higher standards and students are expected to know their program's requirements. See the Doctor of Philosophy Requirements website for more information about PhD milestones and related timelines.

MS, Physics: Thesis Option

This option requires a research thesis prepared under the supervision of the advisor. The thesis describes a research investigation and its results. The scope of the research topic for the thesis should be defined in such a way that a full-time student could complete the requirements for a master’s degree in 12 months or three semesters following the completion of coursework by regularly scheduling graduate research credits.

The minimum requirements are as follows:

Total Credit Requirements
Option Parts	Credits
Coursework (minimum)	20 Credits
Thesis research	6-10 Credits
Total (minimum)	30 Credits

Distribution of Coursework Credit
Distribution	Credits
5000-6000 series (minimum)	12 Credits
3000-4000 (maximum)	12 Credits

Programs may have stricter requirements and may require more than the minimum number of credits listed here.

MS, Physics: Report Option

This option requires a report describing the results of an independent study project. The scope of the research topic should be defined in such a way that a full-time student could complete the requirements for a master’s degree in twelve months or three semesters following the completion of coursework by regularly scheduling graduate research credits.

Of the minimum total of 30 credits, at least 24 must be earned in coursework other than the project:

Total Credit Requirements
Option Parts	Credits
Coursework (minimum)	24 Credits
Report	2-6 Credits
Total (minimum)	30 Credits

Distribution of Coursework Credit
Distribution	Credits
5000-6000 series (minimum)	12 Credits
3000-4000 (maximum)	12 Credits

Programs may have stricter requirements and may require more than the minimum number of credits listed here.

MS, Physics: Coursework Option

This option requires a minimum of 30 credits be earned through coursework. A limited number of research credits may be used with the approval of the advisor, department, and Graduate School. See degree requirements for more information.

A graduate program may require an oral or written examination before conferring the degree and may require more than the minimum credits listed here:

Distribution of Coursework Credit
Distribution	Credits
5000-6000 series (minimum)	18 Credits
3000-4000 (maximum)	12 Credits

Accelerated MS, Physics

A graduate program may require an oral or written examination before conferring the degree and may require more than the minimum credits listed here:

Distribution of Coursework Credit
Distribution	Credits
5000-6000 series (minimum)	18 Credits
3000-4000 (maximum)	12 Credits

Additional Program Information

Want to learn more about physics at Michigan Tech? Visit the department for more information:

Contact

Graduate Director

Ranjit Pati

Program Coordinator

Heather Chosa

Sample Areas of Interest

Select areas of interest to help customize your physics MS or PhD. Sample areas include:

Astrophysics
Atmospheric Physics
Computational Physics (Quantum, Statistical, Biological)
Atomic and Molecular Physics - Theory

View full listing for this program

Application Process and Admissions Requirements

Applications are reviewed on an individual basis using a holistic approach. Fill out our free graduate application online to apply to any of our programs. Official transcripts and scores are not required for the initial application, although you will need to upload them later.

Graduate School Admissions Process

Applying to Graduate School is free (no application fees) and fast (no official transcripts or test scores are needed to start). The application process involves three easy steps. International applicants are required to pay a non-refundable $10 processing fee per application.

See Admissions Steps

Graduate School Admissions Options

Michigan Tech offers several admissions options in order to meet the educational needs of students from a variety of backgrounds. Students should review the options available to them and apply for the program that will best help them achieve their personal educational goals.

See Admissions Options

Graduate School Requirements

To be considered for admission to the Graduate School as a degree- or certificate-seeking student, you need to:

have a bachelor's degree or its equivalent from an accredited institution, and
be prepared for advanced study in your chosen field, as demonstrated by your previous degree and your scholastic record.

See additional application requirements, including required materials:

Student Statements

Official Transcripts

Program Specific Requirements

Program Specific

3 Letters of Recommendation
Admitted applicants typically have an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or better on a 4.0 scale
GRE not required
No Additional Documents Accepted

International Students

TOEFL: Recommended Score of at least 88 iBT
IELTS: Recommended Score of 6.5 overall

Michigan Tech requires a minimum 79 overall TOEFL or 6.5 overall IELTS score.

Admissions Decisions

Made on a rolling basis.

Recommended Deadlines

Fall Semester: March 1, January 15 for international applicants

Spring Semester: October 1, September 1 for international applicants

Summer Semester: Please contact the Graduate Program Director

International Student Requirements

To be considered for admission to the Graduate School as a degree- or certificate-seeking student, you need to:

have a bachelor's degree or its equivalent from an accredited institution, and
be prepared for advanced study in your chosen field, as demonstrated by your previous degree and your scholastic record.

See additional application requirements, including required materials:

Student Statements

Official Transcripts

Accelerated Master's Requirements

Our Accelerated Master's Program is available for current Michigan Tech students.

Program Specific

2 Letter of Recommendation from a prospective advisor
Overall GPA of 3.0 or greater
Résumé/ Curriculum vitae
No GRE required

Eligible Undergraduate Majors

Applied Physics
Physics

Accredited by HLC

Michigan Tech has been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) since 1928. Our Graduate School offers over 125 certificates, master's, and PhD programs to provide our students and the world with what tomorrow needs.

Who You'll Work With

The department is home to 23 active research faculty, and we have strong interdisciplinary collaborations with other departments and institutes including materials science and engineering, electrical and computer engineering, and mechanical engineering–engineering mechanics.

Where You'll Work

We have seven laboratories including a cloud physics lab, a materials physics and laser physics lab, and an integrated magneto-photonics lab. In addition, we have three observatories, including access to the Pierre Auger Cosmic Ray Observatory in Argentina, as well as a machine shop, and advanced research computing workstations and clusters.

Faculty Spotlight

Petra Huentemeyer

Petra Huentemeyer
Professor, Physics

"We are shedding light on dark matter and other unsolved puzzles of our Universe."

Where and how are cosmic rays produced and accelerated to their states of high energy? The study of gamma rays provides a crucial piece of the puzzle. By measuring energy spectra, source morphologies, and spatial correlation of their sources with sources at other wavelengths, we are trying to solve the century-old puzzle of the origin of galactic cosmic rays.

Program Faculty