Grad student looking at a monitor with results in the Cloud Chamber
Tomorrow Needs You. Are You Ready?

Receive a graduate education from an accredited institution.

Physics—MS, PhD

Where do the highest-energy cosmic rays come from? Can nanotubes of boron nitride be used to make new electronic devices? Why do some clouds rain while others don’t? These are just some of the questions that motivate faculty and students alike in the physics department at Michigan Technological University. Our department is a close-knit and vibrant community of scholars working together to find answers to these and many other fundamental questions. Are you ready?

Accelerated Master's Program is available for current Michigan Tech students.

Program Overview

With a master's or doctorate in physics study five areas of research interest: astrophysics and particle astrophysics; atmospheric physics; materials physics; photonics and quantum optics; and atomic, molecular, and optical physics. Some of the current research projects include first principles studies of structure-property relationships in 2-D nanomaterials beyond graphene for defense applications, and the influence of nucleation on ice microphysical properties of mixed-phase stratiform clouds and many additional projects.

  • Delivery Options

    • Accelerated: MS
    • On-Campus: MS, PhD

Physics Program Details

Choose a specific degree option or delivery type to learn more about the physics program at Michigan Tech. For international students, Physics is a designated STEM program.

On-Campus Programs

Additional Program Information

Want to learn more about physics at Michigan Tech? Visit the department for more information:

Contact

Graduate Director

Ranjit Pati

Program Coordinator

Megan Johnson

 

Sample Areas of Interest

Select areas of interest to help customize your physics MS or PhD. Sample areas include:

  • Astrophysics
  • Atmospheric Physics
  • Computational Physics (Quantum, Statistical, Biological)
  • Atomic and Molecular Physics - Theory

View full listing for this program

Application Process and Admissions Requirements

Applications are reviewed on an individual basis using a holistic approach. Fill out our free graduate application online to apply to any of our programs. Official transcripts and scores are not required for the initial application, although you will need to upload them later.

Accredited by HLC

Michigan Tech has been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) since 1928. Our Graduate School offers over 125 certificates, master's, and PhD programs to provide our students and the world with what tomorrow needs.

Who You'll Work With

The department is home to 23 active research faculty, and we have strong interdisciplinary collaborations with other departments and institutes including materials science and engineering, electrical and computer engineering, and mechanical engineering–engineering mechanics.

Where You'll Work

We have seven laboratories including a cloud physics lab, a materials physics and laser physics lab, and an integrated magneto-photonics lab. In addition, we have three observatories, including access to the Pierre Auger Cosmic Ray Observatory in Argentina, as well as a machine shop, and advanced research computing workstations and clusters.

Faculty Spotlight

Petra Huentemeyer

Petra Huentemeyer
Professor, Physics

"We are shedding light on dark matter and other unsolved puzzles of our Universe."

Where and how are cosmic rays produced and accelerated to their states of high energy? The study of gamma rays provides a crucial piece of the puzzle. By measuring energy spectra, source morphologies, and spatial correlation of their sources with sources at other wavelengths, we are trying to solve the century-old puzzle of the origin of galactic cosmic rays.

Program Faculty