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We have two teams to help you through the process.
General questions prior to applying can be directed to our Graduate Recruiters.
Once you have applied, questions about the application process should then be directed to our Graduate Processors.
Graduate Recruiters: Located in the Multidisciplinary Studies Building 4.01.52
Office Hours: 8 A.M. - 5 P.M.
Monday, Wendesday and Friday - virtual office hours
Tuesday and Thursday - in-person
Contact Us:
Email: Grad.Recruitment@utsa.edu
Phone: (210) 458-4331
Fax: (210) 458-4332
Book an appointment with a recruiter in-person or virtually .
Graduate Processors: Located in the Flawn Sciences Building 1.01.05
Contact Graduate Processors:
Email: Graduate.admissions@utsa.edu
Phone: (210) 458-7985
Send Official Transcripts to: graduate.documents@utsa.edu
Unofficial Transcripts and Other Documents for Spring 2022 can be Uploaded here! (requires UTSA
student ID in the form of abc123) if they have not been submitted as part of your application.
Unofficial Transcripts and Other Documents for Summer 2022 and Fall 2022 must be uploaded directly to the application.
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.
Admission Prerequisites:
| Required Degree | Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science degree from an accredited university and a minimum grade point average of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) in upper division undergraduate coursework and all graduate work, preferably in physics. |
| Other Degree Requirements | None. |
| General University Requirements | Must meet university wide requirements. |
| Application | A completed a Graduate School application. |
| Transcripts | Official transcripts from all institutions attended. All international transcripts must be recorded in English or officially translated to English. |
| Resume or Curriculum Vitae | Not required. |
| Letters of Recommendation | A minimum of two letters of recommendation from persons familiar with the applicant’s undergraduate (and graduate, where applicable) scholastic record must be sent to the Graduate School at the same time application is made for admission to UTSA. |
| Statement of Purpose | Not required. |
| Test Scores | Not required. |
| Evaluation of Foreign Credentials |
All applicants including non-U.S. citizens (International), U.S. Citizens, and permanent residents who have earned university-level credit from foreign institutions are required to submit official transcripts along with an evaluation of the transcripts from Foreign Credentials Service of America.
|
| International Applicants | Must meet international graduate student admission requirements
|
| Other | Background or remedial courses in physics may be required to remove deficiencies. Inclusion of the Physics GRE score is not required but is recommended. |
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.
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.
Contact Information
Graduate Advisor of Record: Liao Chen, Ph.D.
Email: liao.chen@utsa.edu
Telephone: (210) 458-5457
Degree Website: Department of Physics and Astronomy
Degree Catalog Link: Graduate Catalog
Course Scheduling and Offerings
- This program is housed at UTSA’s Main campus.
- Courses are offered at various times of the day generally scheduled later in the afternoon.
