PhD Physics at University of Chicago

The Physics PhD offers training across experimental and theoretical fields including cosmology, soft matter, quantum information, high energy theory and astrophysics.

Faculty: Physical Sciences Division  |  Department: Department of Physics  |  Intake: Autumn; deadline December 14, 2026 for Autumn 2027  |  Study mode: full-time  |  Location: Chicago, IL, United States

What you will study

Core courses: Advanced Classical Mechanics, Graduate Quantum Mechanics I and II, Advanced Electrodynamics I and II, and Statistical Mechanics, ideally taken in the first year; the Graduate Diagnostic Exam can replace some. First-year experimental physics requirement (PHYS 334 and 335). Candidacy must be reached by the end of spring quarter of year two. Post-candidacy: four intermediate courses across condensed matter, particle physics and large-scale physics plus two advanced electives.

Career pathways

Alumni listed hold postdoctoral and faculty posts at institutions including Harvard, UC Berkeley, Penn State, Northwestern and Fermilab.

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