Physics (PhD, MS)

Program Overview

The Department of Physics offers graduate programs leading to Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) and Master of Science (MS) degrees. Our mission is to prepare students for successful careers in academia, national laboratories, and industry through rigorous coursework and immersive research. Students have exciting opportunities to conduct fundamental and applied research alongside internationally recognized faculty at the forefront of condensed matter physics, materials physics, ultrafast optics, and biophysics, as well as their intersection with clean energy programs. In addition to cutting-edge physics research labs, on-campus interdisciplinary facilities include the analytical and diagnostics laboratory (ADL), a clean room for device fabrication and high-performance computing.

PhD candidates are funded through teaching assistantships, research assistantships, and fellowships, which include a stipend, tuition and health insurance. MS candidates are self-funded.

We welcome applications from students who have successfully completed an undergraduate degree in physics or closely related fields. For full consideration, applications must be submitted by Jan. 15.

The Physics department is able to waive the application fee for a limited number of qualified PhD candidates. To be considered for the waiver, you should start your application. Once you upload all application documents, email Associate Professor Alexey Kolmogorov (kolmogorov@binghamton.edu) with information in support of your waiver request two weeks before the application deadline. Note that you should not submit your application package until the application fee is either paid or waived.

Degrees Offered

• PhD in Physics
• MS in Physics

Admissions Requirements

To be eligible for graduate study, you must:

• Hold or be within one academic year of earning a Bachelor’s degree
• Have at least a 3.0 GPA over your entire undergraduate career*

*International transcripts are considered on a case-by-case basis to account for different grading scales used around the world.

To apply, you must submit the following materials. For general guidelines for these materials, see the Admission Requirements website.

• Online graduate degree application with graduate degree application fee
• Transcripts from each college or university that you have attended
• Personal statement of 2 to 3 pages describing your reasons for pursuing graduate study, your career aspirations, your special interests within your field, and any unusual features of your background that might need explanation or be of interest to the graduate admissions committee
• Résumé or curriculum vitae
• Three letters of recommendation

GRE scores are no longer required but accepted if you wish to submit them.

International students must also submit the following materials. For more information about these materials, see the International Students section of the Admission Requirements website.

• International Student Financial Statement (ISFS) form
• Supporting financial documentation (such as bank statements, scholarship or sponsor letters, etc.)
• Proof of English proficiency (such as official TOEFL/IELTS/PTE Academic/Duolingo* scores)

*In response to the global COVID-19 pandemic, the Graduate School at Binghamton University has temporarily approved the use of the Duolingo English Test as proof of English proficiency through the 2023 application cycle.

This information is subject to change. While we make every effort to update these program pages, we recommend that you contact the department with questions about program-specific requirements.

Deadlines

For more information, visit the Physics website.