The quickening pace of development at the frontier between physics, engineering and technology creates a need for interdisciplinary training and research which is not readily accommodated by traditional single-focus graduate programs.

The University of Michigan Applied Physics Program is designed to fill this gap, providing students with the opportunity to gain a solid base in the fundamentals of modern physics while exploring applications in the context of various branches of engineering and physical sciences. Coursework and research are structured to meet students’ individual goals.

The program spans multiple colleges, including the Physical Science Divisions in the College of Literature, Science and the Arts, and the College of Engineering, with over 180 participating faculty. As the largest program of its kind in the nation, we provide unmatched research opportunities for our students. 

Our programs

The Ph.D. program combines coursework in the fundamentals of physical theory, its applications to modern technology, and practical “hands-on” training in the research laboratories. It typically takes four to five years to complete with an emphasis on coursework during the first one to two years. Students are encouraged to become involved in research at the earliest opportunity and will have the opportunity to do supervised research in their first year.

The Imes-Moore Fellows Program is a two-year bridge program at the master’s level. Its goal is to prepare promising students to succeed at the doctoral level in Applied Physics and related fields at the University of Michigan, with the expectation that they transition to the Ph.D. program at the end of their second year. In addition to strengthening students’ preparation in the fundamentals of physics, the program provides a broad range of research opportunities through rotations in some of our 18 participating departments. Students are admitted based upon academic promise and the potential to benefit from a broad-based training program.

Students in both programs are guaranteed continuous financial support, including a monthly stipend, tuition waiver, and health insurance. Support for Ph.D. students includes university fellowships/scholarships and Graduate Student Instructor/Research Assistant positions, while Imes-Moore students receive a fellowship.