Physics (Ph.D.)

Basic Degree Information/Description

The Ph.D. in Physics program offers students the opportunity to pursue research in a variety of basic physics fields such as condensed matter physics; chemical physics; biophysics; biophotonics; non-ionizing radiation physics; scanning tunneling, small angle X-ray and neutron scattering microscopy; theoretical particle physics; cosmology; mathematical, computational physics; semiconductor nanostructures; experimental laser spectroscopy; laser-tissue interactions; plasma physics; radiative transfer; astronomy and astrophysics. If students choose to work with the core scientists from the Southwest Research Institute Space Science and Engineering Division, opportunities are available in the fields of space weather; ionosphere-thermosphere-mesospheric physics; plasmaspheric physics; magnetospheric physics; heliospheric physics, cometary physics; space physics instrumentation, and computational space physics.

Why pursue a Ph.D. in Physics at UTSA?

• Cutting-edge areas of research, quality of research and productivity.
• Fifth largest graduate Physics program in Texas (according to the statistics of the American Institute of Physics) with over 65 PhD students currently in the program.
• One of the fastest growing programs in the State.
• 88% of our graduates found employment immediately.
• Student/Faculty ratio < 2.5.
• Nominated for the STAR awards of the THECB.
• Joint program with the Space Science Division of the Southwest Research Institute.

Admission Requirements and Deadlines

Admission to the program is limited and competitive. Meeting the minimum admission requirements does not guarantee acceptance into the program. Competitive applicants often exceed minimum requirements.

For more specific requirements, please visit the Online Graduate Catalog.

All applicants must submit the following material for evaluation:

Transcripts: Official transcripts from all institutions attended. All international transcripts must be recorded in English or officially translated to English.

Graduate School Application: Yes

Test Scores: Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores from a recent (no more than five years old) administration of the examination. Inclusion of the Physics GRE score is not required but is recommended.

Resume: Professional Résumé or Curriculum Vitae.

Letters of Recommendation: Two letters of recommendation are required from academic or professional sources familiar with the applicant's background, attesting to the student's academic and personal attributes for success in the program and potential for contributing substantially to a field of study related to the degree.

Statement of Purpose: Yes, a written personal statement/essay describing research interests and purpose for pursuing the Ph.D. in Physics program.

Evaluation of Foreign Credentials: All applicants including non-U.S. citizens (International), U.S. citizens (Domestic), or permanent residents who have earned university-level credit from foreign institutions are required to submit an evaluation from an approved Foreign Credential Agency of transcripts from all foreign institutions attended. If official transcripts are used in the foreign credential evaluation, the official transcript requirement will be considered met. However, if unofficial documents are used in the foreign credential evaluation, final official transcripts must be sent to UTSA.

• An approved evaluation requires a detailed course-by-course evaluation. Summaries will not be accepted.

• The Foreign Credentials Service of America (FCSA) is a private corporation that provides evaluations of foreign school credentials. The application is available at: Application for Credentials Evaluation.

International Applicants:

• IELTS: Minimum score of 6.5.
• TOEFL: Minimum scores of 79 or 60 for Internet or paper versions, respectively.

Additional Requirements: A degree seeking applicant must meet international graduate student admission requirements.

Career Options Available for a Physics Graduate

• Academic research or research in industry including sectors such as hi-tech, semiconductor, biotech, pharma, advanced nanomaterials, lasers.
• Our Graduates are currently working in academia (Faculty or Postdoctoral fellows), National Laboratories and NASA (postdoctoral fellows), private research institutions (research scientists) and industry.
• This article provides information on salary approximations and employment statistics for those with a graduate degree in Physics.

Research taking place in the Physics Program

• Cutting edge research in: nanoparticles, advanced thin film technology, biophotonics, protein structure, integrated experimental/computational approach to molecular biophysics, advanced materials (e.g., photonics crystals), research in terahertz application, computational condensed matter, space physics and space instrumentation.
• Additional faculty with novel research lines will join the program next fall.