Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Degree in the field of Applied Physics

MS and PhD Degrees in the field of Applied Physics

Upon completing the MS and PhD degrees in the field of Applied Physics, students will be able to:

1. Acquire and demonstrate advanced knowledge in the foundational applications of physics including familiarity with past and current scientific literature in their chosen specialization.
2. Develop the ability to conduct independent applied physics research including the aptitude to identify, formulate, and overcome challenging scientific and engineering problems in this endeavor.
3. Make an original and significant technical contribution in their chosen specialization area.

MS and PhD Degrees in field of Applied Physics

Applied Physics Program (APP) offers a PhD degree. For general university requirements, please see Doctoral Degrees. MS degree is a thesis master’s degree. For general university requirements, please see Thesis Master’s Degrees. For additional requirements, regulations, and procedures for all graduate programs, please see All Graduate Students.

program does not offer a stand-alone thesis MS degree, although students admitted to program are required to earn MS within program before proceeding to PhD. For each degree, students must fulfill university requirements set forth in General Announcements under which they entered. semester hour requirements may be fulfilled both by classroom hours and research hours. A total of nine one-semester, 3-credit hour per course minimum, graduate level courses is required for master’s degree in applied physics, ordinarily a requirement for advancement to candidacy in PhD program. Four of these are core courses required of all students, and five are elective courses chosen according to individual research goals. Applied Physics Curriculum Committee (APCC) may waive some course students who demonstrate a thorough knowledge of material in one or more core/elective course(s). Full requirements are available on Applied Physics website.

By end of third year in program, all APP students should have completed university master’s degree, fulfilled course requirements of APP, and defended a master’s thesis in a public oral examination by a committee approved by Program Chair and Graduate Studies. examination covers work reported in thesis as well as entire field in which student intends to work toward their PhD. examining committee votes separately on awarding master’s degree and on admission to candidacy for PhD. student may be required to fulfill teaching/grading requirements set by host department. Fulfillment of all university degree requirements and successful defense of a PhD thesis in a public examination by a university approved committee is necessary for PhD.

The English Language Proficiency Requirement may be waived for an international student who received a degree from an institution in which English is the official language of communication. Contact the admitting program for more information.

The following language proficiency tests are accepted by Rice graduate programs and will be used to assess English language proficiency. Please note the below scores are the minimum requirement, though some program requirements will be higher.

• The TOEFL IBT Home. A minimum score of 90 is required
• IELTS Indicator. A minimum score of 7 is required.
• Duolingo. A minimum score of 115 is required.

1. Find your graduate program(s) of interest and submit an interest form. Click here for a listing of schools and departments.
2. Research the cost of study and available financial support. Qualified doctoral students often receive tuition waivers and a generous stipend.
3. Look at our facts and stats on admissions, enrollment and degrees awarded.
4. Learn more about research at Rice.
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