37th & O Sts NW, Reiss Science Building, Room 506, Washington, District of Columbia 20057, United States of America

Georgetown University, Washington D.C.

37th & O Sts NW, Reiss Science Building, Room 506, Washington, District of Columbia 20057, United States of America

About

Georgetown’s Department of Physics offers a doctoral program and a master’s program. Doctoral students can choose between two tracks, depending on their interests and goals. The standard track offers a traditional, academia-focused Ph.D. experience, while Georgetown’s unique Industrial Leadership in Physics (ILP) track is designed to prepare students for scientific careers in industry.

Both tracks combine advanced coursework in physics and related fields with significant original research leading to the Ph.D. dissertation. Throughout the curriculum, teamwork and communication skills are emphasized. In the ILP track, students are also introduced to business fundamentals and have the opportunity to participate in a year-long apprenticeship at the site of an industrial partner. The apprenticeship provides students with real-world experience in an R&D environment, industrial mentors, and networking opportunities, all while meeting academic goals.

Dissertation research is the main focus of the Ph.D. degree. Research in the department falls mainly within condensed matter and materials physics, with experimental and theoretical efforts in hard and soft condensed matter, biological physics, micro and nano technologies, optics and imaging, statistical physics, and ultracold gases. As a relatively small department, we offer a collegial and supportive environment for learning and advancement, where faculty and students interact closely both in the classroom and in the research laboratory. The department and the university have invested in significant research infrastructure and facilities, including a microfabrication laboratory, the Institute for Soft Matter, and Regents Hall, a state-of-the-art building designed to promote interdisciplinary research and innovation in the sciences. In addition, many graduate students participate in collaborative work with researchers at other universities, government laboratories, and companies. Georgetown’s proximity to national laboratories such as the Naval Research Laboratory and the National Institute for Standards and Technology, for example, provides many opportunities for our graduate students.

The MS degree in Physics involves advanced coursework in physics and related fields, along with a thesis option. Students typically take four semesters to complete the MS requirements.

Program Requirements

-Admissions Requirements: Bachelor’s degree in Physics or related field is required, plus a personal statement, three letters of recommendation, and a resume/CV.

-Minimum undergraduate GPA: 3.0

-Undergraduate preparation assumed: Intermediate-level courses in classical mechanics, quantum mechanics, electricity and magnetism, and statistical and thermal physics, as well as a working knowledge of an advanced computer language.

-The TOEFL exam is required for students from non-English speaking countries. Minimum accepted TOEFL scores: PBT score: 600, iBT score: 100, or IELTS: 7.5
GRE Requirements: Not Required
Physics GRE Requirements: Not Required
TOEFL Requirements: Required