Explore Our Graduate Programs
The Department of Physics prepares graduate students to contribute to the field through research and teaching or for careers in applied physics. Our graduate programs provides students with a unique, interdisciplinary approach to research, teaching, and learning.
Master’s Degree in Physics
Our Master's Degree programs prepare you for an academic career or for a career in industry or government. If you are interested in teaching or further graduate study, then our two-year Academic Master’s Degree is for you. If you intend to work in industry or government labs, then our Applied Physics Master’s Degree offers you three distinct areas of emphasis: (1) Semiconductors, (2) Optics, and (3) Quantum and Nanotechnology. Moreover, the Applied Physics programs consist of concentrated hands-on coursework over six months followed by an internship for nine months.
Doctorate Degree in Physics
Doctoral students in the Department of Physics pursue a PhD in close collaboration with research faculty leading investigations in a wide range of experimental and theoretical research areas, such as:
- Astronomy and astrophysics
- Atomic, molecular and optical physics
- Biophysics
- Computational physics
- Condensed matter physics
- Data science
- Gravitational wave detection
- High energy physics
- Ion trapping
- Neuroscience
- Physical chemistry
- Quantum information science
- Solid-state physics
Research Across Disciplines
“Since starting my PhD at the UO, I have explored a diverse range of research areas. When I entered the program, I wasn’t sure exactly what path I wanted to take, but the focus on interdisciplinary research at UO made it easy for me to explore every option. I began researching space physics, working with both the physics and Earth sciences departments. Now I’m doing what I enjoy with the support I need to achieve my research goals.”
—Katelin Donaldson, PhD student
Funding Your Graduate Studies
Graduate students beyond their second year are typically funded from their advisor’s external research grants, internal research funds, or other funds from their advisor. Graduate students are also encouraged to seek research fellowships.
Prepare for the Professional World
Many of our graduate students intend to become college teachers, while others choose to pursue careers as physicists in industry or government labs. We offer a number of resources to help students prepare for their career of choice and network with peers in the Department of Physics.