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

The BIG10 Academia Faculty Hiring Fair
Oct22
The BIG10 Academia Faculty Hiring Fair Oct 22
Job Shadow Day Info Session: Explore Careers in Nonprofit Work
Oct22
Job Shadow Day Info Session: Explore Careers in Nonprofit Work Oct 22 Willie and Donald Tykeson Hall
Wine Chat: “Anime Academy: How Fans Have Changed Universities”
Oct22
Wine Chat: “Anime Academy: How Fans Have Changed Universities” Oct 22 Capitello Wines
The BIG10 Grad Student and Postdoc Industry Recruitment Event
Oct23
The BIG10 Grad Student and Postdoc Industry Recruitment Event Oct 23
Encoding and Decoding Story, Place, and Self: Towards Situated Environmental Journalism in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest
Oct23
Encoding and Decoding Story, Place, and Self: Towards Situated Environmental Journalism in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest Oct 23
Fall Career & Internship Expo
Oct23
Fall Career & Internship Expo Oct 23 Erb Memorial Union (EMU)
Building Conflict-Resilient Academic Communities: Responses to October 7 in the University of Haifa Law School
Oct23
Building Conflict-Resilient Academic Communities: Responses to October 7 in the University of Haifa Law School Oct 23 John E. Jaqua Academic Center for Student Athletes
Archaeological Research on Ancient Alexandria, Egypt, Presented by Dr. Thomas Faucher
Oct23
Archaeological Research on Ancient Alexandria, Egypt, Presented by Dr. Thomas Faucher Oct 23 Allen Hall
Global Justice Program Lecture by Nathan J. Robinson
Oct23
Global Justice Program Lecture by Nathan J. Robinson Oct 23 Erb Memorial Union (EMU)
Jeremiah Public Lecture: "Consent and Sexual Violence in Contemporary Japan: Rethinking Autonomy, Choice, and Equality Under the Law"
Oct27
Jeremiah Public Lecture: "Consent and Sexual Violence in Contemporary Japan: Rethinking Autonomy, Choice, and Equality Under the Law" Oct 27 Chiles Hall