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Graduate Degree Programs in Physics

Ph.D. Program

Students in the Ph.D. program benefit from small classes, accessible faculty and research staff, and a wide range of opportunities for research in the areas mentioned above. Many students begin research projects during their first year. All students in good standing receive teaching or research assistantships during the academic year, along with tuition waivers. Summer support is also available. Excellent applicants to the program may also be eligible for additional SMU Graduate Fellowships, which area university-wide competitive fellowship program that augment the baseline departmental graduate stipend. The department can nominate up to two applicants per year for this competitive fellowship, and we act based on candidates whose applications are received by the priority deadline.

Students typically receive support for work as teaching assistants during their first two years, and, after successful completion of the Ph.D. core proficiency examination, research support until completion of their thesis and degree.

The graduate courses are described in the SMU Graduate Student Course Catalog. All formal course information is available in the Dedman College/Physics section.

The core course plan for graduate students is provided in the Physics Graduate Handbook, as well as suggestions for other courses needed to fulfill our program's requirements for credit-hours.

M.S. Program

The emphasis of our graduate program is on the Ph.D. degree, and we only accept students for that program. However, students may earn an M.S. degree en route to their Ph.D. The requirements for a Masters Degree are found in the Physics Graduate Handbook.