Theoretical and experimental research at Rutgers University-Newark primarily is in theoretical and computational materials science and chemical physics, and experimental atomic, molecular and optical physics. It is supported by grants from the National Science Foundation and the Department of Energy. The experimental facilities include laboratories dedicated to laser spectroscopy, ultrafast imaging, and quantum interferometry. The theory group is interested in many-body physics, materials discovery, and modeling photoinduced and laser-driven dynamics of molecules and solids. Our graduate program in applied physics is in collaboration with the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT), with shared teaching of graduate classes, administration of qualifier exams, and the evaluation of candidacy exams and thesis defenses. Interdisciplinary applied physics research is carried out in collaboration with the chemistry, earth science, and biology departments.
M.S. Program in Applied Physics
The Master of Science (M.S.) degree in applied physics requires 30 credits at or above the 600 level. Four 3-credit 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. A 3-credit mathematical physics or applied mathematics course is required. An additional 9 credits of coursework are filled with elective courses, including from math and computer science and chemistry.
There are three (3) tracks (concentrations) in the MS program:
The Data Science Track involves taking a minimum of 30 degree credits (600 or 700 level):
6-credit thesis or a 3-credit research project
9 credits of required (core) courses
3 credits of mathematical physics or applied mathematics
6 credits of required Data Science courses
the remaining credits are to be filled with elective courses.
The Physics Education Track involves taking a minimum of 30 degree credits (600 or 700 level):
6-credit thesis or a 3-credit research project
9 credits of required (core) courses
3 credits of mathematical physics or applied mathematics
6 credits of required Education courses
the remaining credits are to be filled with elective courses.
The Applied Physics Research Track involves taking a minimum of 30 degree credits (600 or 700 level):
6-credit thesis or a 3-credit research project
12 credits of required (core) courses
3 credits of mathematical physics or applied mathematics
the remaining credits are to be filled with elective courses
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.
Ph.D. Program in Applied Physics
The doctor of philosophy (Ph.D.) degree in applied physics requires 60 credits at or above the 600 level. A cumulative grade-point average of 3.0 is required in coursework. Students take 24 credits in courses and earn the remaining 36 credits in dissertation research. Coursework includes core physics courses, elective physics courses, and electives which may be outside physics (such as engineering, chemistry, bioscience, computer science, mathematical physics, or applied mathematics, depending on the student's field of research).
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.
No more than 12 credits may be transferred from other institutions.
Three semesters of attending doctoral seminar are also required.
Qualifying Examinations and Thesis Defense
Qualifiers are written exams administered every year in the first week of June. The topics covered are: Quantum Mechanics, Classical Mechanics, Electricity and Magnetism, Statistical Mechanics, Mathematics for Physics.
Students will be given two chances to pass the qualifiers. In the case the student does not pass a qualifier exam in their first year in the Program, they may take it in their second year.
The candidacy exam is to be scheduled after the student passes all qualifiers, and takes place before the end of the candidate's 6th semester in the program. This exam consists of a written report not to exceed 10 pages including references, and an oral presentation outlining the plan for thesis work and any research already carried out. The written report must be given to the exam committee no later than one week prior to the date of the oral candidacy exam. The candidacy exam committee is composed of 3 Rutgers or NJIT graduate faculty members (of which one may be from a department other than Physics).
The PhD thesis defense consists of 3 stages: a written thesis document, a public presentation of the research carried out, and a defense. The thesis defense follows the public presentation, is closed-doors to the public and open only to the thesis defense committee and the thesis advisor. The written thesis must be given to the thesis defense committee no later than one week prior to the date of the thesis defense date.
The thesis defense committee is composed of 3 Rutgers or NJIT graduate faculty members and one external committee member (may be from a department other than Physics or from outside Rutgers).
General information related to the Graduate School's Academic Policies and Procedures and Degree Requirements can also be found within this catalog.
Programs, Faculty, and Courses 
