100 Allen Hall

412-624-9066

http://www.physicsandastronomy.pitt.edu

pagrad@pitt.edu

The graduate programs in the Department of Physics and Astronomy are designed primarily for students who wish to obtain the PhD degree, although the MS degree is also offered. Both the PhD and the MS programs provide high-quality training for students. A set of core courses is to be taken by all graduate students unless the core course material has been demonstrably mastered in other ways. These core courses cover dynamical systems, electromagnetic theory, mathematical methods, quantum mechanics, and statistical physics & thermodynamics. In addition, elective courses are offered in several advanced areas of physics. PhD thesis topics may be chosen from a variety of research fields, including astrophysics/cosmology, condensed matter physics, particle physics, and physics education research. Topics in astrophysics/cosmology include: observational, numerical, and theoretical cosmology; dark matter and dark energy; galaxy formation and evolution; active galactic nuclei and quasars; galactic and intergalactic medium; stellar atmospheres; massive stars; supernovae; and physics of the early universe. Topics in condensed matter physics include: biological physics; nanoscience; quantum information; quantum kinetics; quantum optics; quantum states of matter; semiconductor physics; soft condensed matter physics; statistical physics; superconductivity and superfluidity; and ultrafast optics. Topics in particle physics include: the origin of mass and flavor; the search for new symmetries of nature; neutrino physics; CP violation; heavy quarks; leptoquarks; supersymmetry; extra dimensions; baryogenesis; effective field theory; and strong interaction field theory. Topics in physics education research include: cognitive issues in learning physics; and development and evaluation of research-based curricula for introductory and advance physics courses. Multidisciplinary thesis research may also be carried out in, for example, particle astrophysics, biophysics, chemical physics, laser physics, materials science, nanoscience, and surface science. This research may be done in cooperation with faculty from other departments of the University.