Our program, which offers a Ph.D. in experimental and theoretical condensed matter physics and biophysics, emphasizes active learning — with research beginning in a student’s first semester. This style, combined with our intimate size and the access students have to equipment not usually found at a university of our size, builds independence in a supportive, collaborative environment.
The physics doctoral program seeks independent students who are willing to work hard and collaborate closely with our world-class faculty, postdoctoral research associates, visiting scholars, and undergraduate students.
We train our graduate students to become independent researchers and academic leaders. While the emphasis of our program is on condensed matter physics, our faculty has active research interests in the following areas:
Active matter
Soft matter
Soft robots
Physics of thin structures
Organic superconductivity
Novel magnetic materials
Correlated electron systems
Strongly correlated quantum many-body systems
Computational physics
Biological physics
Ecological physics
Complex microbial ecosystems
Granular matter
Renewable energy systems
Astrochemical studies