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Theoretical and experimental research at Rutgers University-Newark primarily is in atomic and quantum physics. It is supported by grants from the National Science Foundation and the Office of Naval Research. The experimental facilities include laboratories dedicated to laser spectroscopy, surface science, and magnetic resonance imaging. The theory group is interested in nonperturbative methods of quantum field theory and studies Casimir and related macroscopic quantum effects. It supports the analysis of some of the experiments performed at Rutgers-Newark.

Our graduate program in applied physics is in collaboration with the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT). The facilities there include a Center for Solar-Terrestrial Research, an Electronic Imaging Center, a Microelectronics Fabrication Center, as well as laboratories dedicated to materials and photonic research.

Interdisciplinary applied physics research is carried out in collaboration with the chemistry, earth science, and biology departments. We have extensive cooperative research with the National Solar Observatory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, U.S. Army and Naval Research Laboratories, and other industrial and federal research centers.

Joint M.S. Program in Applied Physics

The joint Rutgers-Newark/NJIT master of science (M.S.) degree in applied physics requires 30 credits above the 600 level. Students must take 18 credits of coursework, in physics or related areas (including mathematical physics or applied mathematics). Twelve credits may be taken as electives and thesis work. Four graduate physics courses (26:755:611 Advanced Classical Mechanics, 26:755:621 Classical Electrodynamics I, 26:755:631 Quantum Mechanics I, and 26:755:641 Statistical Mechanics) are required.

Thesis research for 6 credits completes the M.S. program. Alternatively, with the approval of the student's adviser, a 3-credit project plus an additional 3-credit course may replace the 6-credit thesis requirement.

Joint Ph.D. Program in Applied Physics

For entering students with bachelor of science (B.S.) or bachelor of arts (B.A.) degrees, the joint Rutgers-Newark/NJIT doctor of philosophy (Ph.D.) degree in applied physics requires 75 credits above the 600 level. A cumulative grade-point average of 3.0 is required in coursework. Students take 39 credits in courses and earn the remaining 36 credits they need in dissertation research. Coursework includes 24 credits in physics courses (including mathematical physics or applied mathematics) and 15 credits in electives.

Among the 24 credits of physics courses, six courses are mandatory: 26:755:611 Advanced Classical Mechanics, 26:755:621 Classical Electrodynamics I, 26:755:631 Quantum Mechanics I, 26:755:641 Statistical Mechanics, 26:755:721 Classical Electrodynamics II, and 26:755:731 Quantum Mechanics II. At least 12 credits offered for the degree must be at or above the 700 level. Coursework may include graduate courses in electrical engineering, bioscience, chemistry, or other areas, depending upon the student's field of research.

For entering students with M.S. or master of arts (M.A.) degrees, the joint Ph.D. degree in applied physics requires 54 credits above the 600 level. Coursework comprises 18 credits, and 36 credits are in dissertation research. Coursework includes 9 credits in physics courses (including mathematical physics or applied mathematics), and the remaining 9 credits are taken in electives. At least 12 credits must be at or above the 700 level. A cumulative grade-point average of 3.0 is required in coursework, which may include graduate courses in electrical engineering, bioscience, chemistry, or other areas, depending on the student's research interest.

Qualifying examinations, both written and oral, are required for the Ph.D. These examinations, which are given in August/September of each academic year, must be taken by the end of the first year. Students who fail the examination on the first attempt get one additional chance to pass.

The Ph.D. dissertation will be evaluated by a committee consisting of the candidate's academic adviser and three other faculty members, one from Rutgers-Newark, one from NJIT, and one from outside the program. It takes from three to six years for full-time students and four to eight years for part-time students to complete the program. Students with degrees in chemistry and other related areas are accepted into the program.