College of Arts and Sciences
Department of Physics
www.kent.edu/physics

About This Program

The Ph.D. degree in Physics provides training of professionals to conduct independently conceived programs of research or teaching in universities or research laboratories. Original research is required in fundamental or applied areas of physics, and the Ph.D. dissertation must be orally defended. Two years of graduate coursework and four years of research are typical.

Contact Information

• Program Coordinator: John Portman | jportman@kent.edu | 330-672-9518
• Connect with an Admissions Counselor: U.S. Student | International Student

Program Delivery

• Delivery:
  • In person
• Location:
  • Kent Campus

For more information about graduate admissions, visit the graduate admission website. For more information on international admissions, visit the international admission website.

Admission Requirements

• Bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university
• Minimum 2.750 GPA on a 4.000 point scale
• Official transcript(s)
• Résumé or vita
• Goal statement
• Three letters of recommendation
• English language proficiency - all international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions) by earning one of the following:
  • Minimum 550 TOEFL PBT score
  • Minimum 79 TOEFL IBT score
  • Minimum 77 MELAB score
  • Minimum 6.5 IELTS score
  • Minimum 58 PTE score
  • Minimum 110 Duolingo English score

Application Deadlines

• Fall Semester
  • Priority deadline: February 1
    Applications submitted by this deadline will receive the strongest consideration for admission.

• Spring Semester
  • Application deadline: September 1
    Applications submitted after this deadline will be considered on a space-available basis.

Program Requirements

Major Requirements

¹

Students may petition to substitute a specific course if a minimum B grade was earned for a course at another school that is judged to be equivalent. The required physics courses will prepare the student for the candidacy examination.

²

Upon admission to candidacy, each student must register for PHY 80199 for a total of 30 credit hours. Thereafter, students should register for PHY 80299 continuously each term until all degree requirements have been met. The dissertation must present and interpret original research. Topics available for dissertation research are primarily in the areas of condensed matter physics, material science, biophysics, theoretical astrophysics and high-energy nuclear physics. Students present at least one seminar based on their dissertation research during their graduate career.

³

Additional program requirements are selected in consultation with the student's faculty advisor and approved by the department.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of these programs will be able to:

1. Demonstrate cognitive skills important to a physicist, including the following:
   1. Think critically and analytically;
   2. Define and solve problems in physics; and
   3. Perform research in contemporary areas of physics research at the highest level and with a great deal of independence.
2. Demonstrate a core knowledge and understanding of the foundations of physics.
3. Communicate results of their work to peers, to various target groups within the physics community and to people outside the discipline.