Graduate Program Overview
Interested in Applying? Visit our Online Application Portal!
Stimulating instruction and research are hallmarks of the Department of Physics at Montana State University which has been educating creative and productive scientists since 1964. The MSU physics program offers Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees. The physics faculty, with over 30 members, is committed to maintaining close contact with its more than 60 graduate students and postdoctoral scientists. As you read our literature, explore our web site, and talk to our students you will discover a faculty recognized worldwide for its research and teaching.
Our research facilities, located in Barnard Hall, are home to state-of-the-art laboratories and equipment. External collaborations bring national and international experts to the department and open opportunities for research to be conducted at other world-class laboratories around the globe. On-campus interdisciplinary research programs include the departments of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Electrical and Computer Engineering, the Center for Biofilm Engineering and others. Research collaborations with local industries are also actively pursued. Collectively, our research groups foster interactions among the faculty, undergraduate, graduate students, postdocs, visiting scientist and other departments.
Our graduates have an excellent record of finding employment in academia and industry, including high tech companies in the Bozeman area. When you consider the opportunity to perform cutting edge physics research while interacting with world renowned faculty and other international experts, all in beautiful surroundings that offer the widest variety of outdoor activities, we hope you will choose graduate study in physics at Montana State University.
Course Offerings
Courses in advanced topics such as General Relativity, Non-Linear Optics, Magnetohydrodynamics, Black Hole Theory, Quantum Field Theory, Condensed Matter, and Astrophysics are offered in addition to the core graduate physics curriculum. A complete list of courses being offered can be found on our course offerings page.
See also the recruitment materials and additional information below!
Research
Research is one of the main focuses of the Physics Department at MSU. Graduate students are a key component in the ground-breaking research that we take part in. We have research projects ranging from Solar Physics and Extreme Gravity to Condensed Matter and Superconductivity. Check out all the programs we have on our Research Programs page!
See also the recruitment materials and additional information below!
Recruitment materials & additional information
- Physics Graduate Program Brochure (pdf): this flyer contains an overview of the areas of major research activities within the department and support Ph.D. students.
- Slides from the 2021 MSU Virtual Graduate Recruitment Fair held on October 28, 2021 (pdf): this presentation contains key information about the Physics graduate program including summaries of available courses, research activities, and outreach opportunities.