Graduate Programs

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.


Students in nanofabrication lab.

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.


before and after images of microscopic technique

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
  • Biophysics
  • Condensed matter physics
  • Data science
  • Gravitational wave detection
  • High energy physics
  • Ion trapping
  • Neuroscience
  • Atomic, molecular and optical physics
  • Quantum information science
  • Solid-state physics

PhD Requirements 


Katelin Donaldson

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.

Funding and Research Support


Student in a lab

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.


Events

Organic/Inorganic/Materials Seminar Series - Third Year Talks
Feb21
Organic/Inorganic/Materials Seminar Series - Third Year Talks Feb 21 Willamette Hall
POTUS or, Behind Every Great Dumbass Are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive
Feb21
POTUS or, Behind Every Great Dumbass Are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive Feb 21 Miller Theatre Complex
POTUS or, Behind Every Great Dumbass Are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive
Feb22
POTUS or, Behind Every Great Dumbass Are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive Feb 22 Miller Theatre Complex
University Theatre Presents: "The Long Game for Women in Politics" Panel Discussion
Feb22
University Theatre Presents: "The Long Game for Women in Politics" Panel Discussion Feb 22 Miller Theatre Complex
POTUS or, Behind Every Great Dumbass Are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive
Feb23
POTUS or, Behind Every Great Dumbass Are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive Feb 23 Miller Theatre Complex
Physical Chemistry Seminar Series - What’s spin got to do with it? Using organic semiconductors to manipulate spin for novel high-efficiency electronics   
Feb24
Physical Chemistry Seminar Series - What’s spin got to do with it? Using organic semiconductors to manipulate spin for novel high-efficiency electronics    Feb 24 Willie and Donald Tykeson Hall
Chinook Justice: A Survivance Journey—Native American and Indigenous Studies Research Colloquium
Feb24
Chinook Justice: A Survivance Journey—Native American and Indigenous Studies Research Colloquium Feb 24 Many Nations Longhouse
Composition Writing Lab Drop-In Hours
Feb24
Composition Writing Lab Drop-In Hours Feb 24 Willie and Donald Tykeson Hall
Department of History Coffee Hour
Feb25
Department of History Coffee Hour Feb 25 McKenzie Hall
Disruption vs. Stability: Impacts on People and Policy Under a New Republican Majority
Feb25
Disruption vs. Stability: Impacts on People and Policy Under a New Republican Majority Feb 25 Ford Alumni Center