PhD Physics at University of Tennessee, Knoxville

Programme overview

The PhD in Physics prepares students for professional careers in government, industry or academic institutions and trains them to perform independent research in active areas of physics. It is offered on the Knoxville and UTSI campuses.

Faculty: College of Arts and Sciences | Department: Department of Physics | Duration: 72 graduate credit hours beyond the bachelor's degree; 48 beyond the master's degree | Study mode: full-time | Location: Knoxville, TN, United States

What you will study

Students take the graduate core (PHYS 521 and 522 Quantum Mechanics, PHYS 531 Classical Mechanics, PHYS 541 Electromagnetic Theory, PHYS 551 Statistical Mechanics, PHYS 571 Mathematical Methods), at least 12 hours of 600-level courses and a minimum of 24 hours of PHYS 600 dissertation research. Students pass a written qualifying examination, complete a comprehensive examination (written research proposal and oral defense) before the end of the third year, and defend a dissertation orally.

Career pathways

Careers in government, industry and academic institutions.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Applicants should have completed an undergraduate major in physics or its equivalent, including PHYS 311-312, 321, 361, 431-432, 421, 461 and 411-412 as minimum prerequisites. The general and subject GRE are optional. Students should maintain at least a 3.00 GPA on the graduate core curriculum.

Tuition is charged per credit, so the total depends on the modules you register for each year. Current fees are listed in the official fee schedule.

International graduate applicants on F and J visas: Fall online submission April 15 and file completion May 15; Spring June 15 and October 1; Summer October 15 and February 15. Departmental deadlines may be earlier.

Apply through the official page: https://gradschool.utk.edu/

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