We offer classes in advanced physics with small student-to-faculty ratios and close research mentoring in a friendly, supportive environment where you will never be lost in the shuffle.  Many of our students are supported by Teaching Assistant stipends, grant-based Research Assistantships, as well as tuition scholarships. Our research is focused on state-of-the-art applications in green energy, materials science, and nanotechnology. We have active research relationships with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory and other national labs and industry partners. Our students communicate their research results in written theses, published articles in peer-reviewed journals, and at professional conferences. Most of our students graduate into PhD programs in Physics, Astronomy, or related fields at prestigious universities, or enter the workforce in high-tech jobs like semiconductor/chip development, renewable energy products, and data science.

Our Master of Science program in Physics involves course work focused on developing skills in fields like materials science, computational physics, theoretical physics, solid state physics, laser spectroscopy, and quantum information science. Students can do their thesis research in these fields, as well as in astronomy. We are excited that Dr. Andrew McNeill has joined us and opened the field of asteroid studies to our program. All graduate students are involved in research as part of the degree program.

Students interested in materials science and photophysics may also consider applying to BGSU’s PhD program in Photochemistry. After 2-3 semesters of coursework focused on Photochemistry, students may join one of several research groups in the Physics & Astronomy Department that are associated with BGSU’s interdisciplinary Center for Photochemical Sciences, which focuses on the interaction between light and matter, including photophysics, laser/ultrafast spectroscopy, and theoretical/computational studies of materials at the interface of chemistry and physics.

Whether applying for the MS-Physics or PhD-Photochemsitry program, applicants should have a bachelor's degree or the equivalent from an accredited institution with a major in Physics, or a minor in Physics and a major in a closely related field. Students may apply for both the MS and PhD programs. Applications to the MS program in Physics that are completed before March 1 will receive full consideration for TA/RA and scholarship support for the term beginning in August, though later applications are welcome. We are active participants in the American Physical Society’s Bridge program.

There are a wide variety of activities available on the BGSU campus, including an ice skating arena, a full gym with rock climbing wall, a planetarium, theater, and concerts. Bowling Green, Ohio is a small, midwestern city with fine parks, fun activities, and a low cost of living. From bicycling the Slippery Elm rail-trail and hiking in Wintergarden Park, to the Black Swamp Arts Festival and the National Tractor Pulling Championships, we have a wide array of things to do within minutes of campus. A short drive north, there are the world-class Toledo Museum of Art and Toledo Zoo, along with Mudhens baseball and Walleye ice hockey. We are located one hour’s drive from Ann Arbor, Michigan and the Detroit Metro airport, two hours from Cleveland and Columbus, and five hours from Chicago.