About the Graduate Program

Image of Tycho supernova remnant.  Credit: NASA/CXC/Rutgers (J.Warren & J.Hughes et al.)

Tycho Supernova Remnant.  Credit: NASA/CXC/Rutgers/J.Warren & J.Hughes et al.

Why come to Rutgers?

Award winning senior and junior faculty

Excellent Research:

  • Prominent efforts in Astrophysics, Biophysics, Condensed Matter, High Energy Physics, Nuclear Physics
  • Home of the Moore Foundation Center for Quantum Materials Synthesis
  • Strong collaboration with Simons Foundation Flatiron Institute Centers in Computational Astrophysics, Biology, and Quantum Physics

Academics:

  • Curriculum of core courses in first year, followed by qualifier, research, and advanced courses in subsequent years
  • A decade ago we threw out the old written / oral qualifier system and replaced it with one more tailored to what you will have to do professionally: you write a paper, give a talk, and answer questions
  • Excellent student to faculty ratio of below 2:1

Successful Outcomes:

  • For Ph.D. students who entered the program from 2007-2011, 80 of 94 (85%) have succesfully defended their Ph.D. dissertations, 7 left the program with M.S. degrees, 3 left the program with no degree, and 4 remain in the program. For the years 2007-2017, we awarded about 75% as many Ph.D.'s as we had entering Ph.D. students.
  • Average time to Ph.D.: about 6 years
  • About half of graduates become postdocs; about half move to full time positions in industry

Fellow students:

  • Our active Graduate Student Organization (GSO) arranges mock quals, a seminar series, and parties and other recreational activities
  • A welcoming community, with an active graduate student led minorities in physics group: http://www.physics.rutgers.edu/rumipa/
  • Shared graduate student office wing encourages collaboration in classwork
  • A large, excellent group of undergraduates to work with on research

Environment:

  • Culturally rich area, with Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers, and the State Theater of New Jersey in New Brunswick
  • Nearly midway between New York City and Philadelphia (about an hour from each, public transit available)
  • Nearby beaches for recreation during the summer, ski areas for during the winter, and local parks for all year round
  • Wide variety of cuisines in local restaurants, along with excellent breweries

 

Contacts

Departmental Chair
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Graduate Director
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