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The department is strong in both theoretical and experimental physics. Properly qualified students interested in theory can find guidance in most of the subjects of contemporary physics including: elementary particle physics, string theory, cosmology, astrophysics, heavy-ion physics, atomic physics, and condensed matter physics. Current activities of the theoretical group include utilization of a high-speed parallel computer for the study of lattice QCD.Experimental research is being done in astrophysics, cosmology, condensed matter physics, heavy-ion physics, and particle physics.Experimental researchers from Columbia have access to a wide range of facilities as detailed below.

The programs listed above offer varied opportunities to students seeking advanced education in physics. To assist students in their studies, fellowships are awarded in recognition of academic achievement and in expectation of scholarly success. Teaching and research experience are considered an important aspect of the training of graduate students. Thus, graduate fellowships include some teaching and research apprenticeship. Fellowships are available only to students in the Ph.D. program.

All students accepted for graduate study in the Physics Department are usually assumed to be candidates for the Ph.D. degree. The departments of Physics and Philosophy also offer a special M.A. Program in the Philosophical Foundations of Physics (seeSpecial Admissions Requirements below).

For Admission

All students accepted for graduate study are usually assumed to be candidates for the Ph.D. degree.

The requirements listed below are special to this department and must be read in conjunction with the general requirements of the Graduate School. Students who have been admitted and who wish to obtain a detailed view of the sequence of tests, oral examinations, special options, and the like, canconsult the administrative coordinator in 704 Pupin or the Physics Department Web site

Three years of physics, with laboratory work, in fundamental college courses and a working knowledge of ordinary differential equations are required. All applicants are required to present the results of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) subject test in physics as well as the GRE general test. Students who have not had sufficient laboratory experience have the opportunity to register for the laboratory course (PHYS G4051) in their first year of residence.

Facilities

The work of the Department of Physics is primarily conducted in the Pupin Physics Laboratories on the Morningside campus.

The Columbia Astrophysics Laboratory in Pupin, as well as at the Nevis Laboratories, offers opportunities for investigations of cosmic sources in a wide spectrum of energy bands, from radio to X-ray and gamma-ray wavelengths, using terrestrial and space observatories.

The Columbia Condensed Matter Laboratories, in the Pupin Physics Laboratories and in the Schapiro Center for Engineering and Physical Science Research, have extensive facilities for research in lasers, superconductivity, solid-state physics, and nanoscale science. Excellent opportunities are provided for experimental research in intermediate-and high-energy particle physics. At the Nevis Laboratories in Irvington, New York (one-half hour from the campus) are extensive facilities for the preparation and analysis of high-energy experiments being carried out by Columbia groups at the large accelerators at Brookhaven National Laboratory, Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, and CERN. A Columbia group is also engaged in experiments involving heavy ion collisions at Brookhaven.

In addition to the requirements listed below, all students must submit 1 official transcript showing courses and grades per school attended, a Statement of Academic Purpose and 3 letters of evaluation from academic sources. All international students whose native language is not English or whose undergraduate degree is from an institution in a country whose official language is not English, must submit scores of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or IELTS. For more information, refer to our Admissions Information and Frequently Asked Questions pages.

For the Ph.D. in Physics:

DEGREE:	Ph.D.
Deadline for Fall Admission	January 3
Deadline for Spring Admission	no spring admission
Resume/CV	yes
Writing Sample	no
GRE General	yes
GRE Subject	yes - Physics Subject Test
Miscellaneous	none

In addition to the requirements listed below, all students must submit 1 official transcript showing courses and grades per school attended, a Statement of Academic Purpose, a writing sample (a course paper, term paper, etc.) and 3 letters of evaluation from academic sources. All international students whose native language is not English or whose undergraduate degree is from an institution in a country whose official language is not English, must submit scores of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or IELTS. For more information, refer to our Admissions Information and Frequently Asked Questions pages.

DEGREE:	Master's Only
Deadline for Fall Admission	April 15
Deadline for Spring Admission	November 15: part-time study only
Resume/CV	yes
Writing Sample	yes
GRE General	yes
GRE Subject	no
Miscellaneous	none

Candidates should have taken at least two undergraduate courses in philosophy and 24 points of physics.

* No more than 20 pages on physics, philosophy or the philosophy of science.