Program Overview

PhD in Applied Physics

The PhD in Applied Physics from WPI offers a range of focus areas, allowing students to align their research goals, interests, and career path. The program enables students to take advantage of the university's multidisciplinary approach, amplifying the reach and impact of their work using a practical and applied combination of physics and mathematics theories and engineering design principles.

Program Overview

With five concentrations to choose from, students have the flexibility to match their research interests with the in-depth, active projects faculty members have in progress. These collaborations elevate the work students will create as part of their degree program and their future career successes. The applied physics graduate program gives student researchers the faculty support and university resources needed for cross-cutting research in areas at the interface of physics and other scientific disciplines.

Concentrations

• Biophysics and soft condensed matter
• Medical physics
• Nanoscience and technology
• Photonics
• Radiological sciences

Program Requirements

The PhD in applied physics is a 60-credit hour program that involves close collaboration with a faculty advisor and with peers and faculty in other disciplines. Program requirements are divided equally between coursework (30 credits) and dissertation research (30 credits, minimum). The curriculum will vary depending on the chosen concentration but will include relevant topics for each specialty.

Residency Requirement

Students in the applied physics PhD program will commit to a one-year residency requirement.

Research

Research in the applied physics PhD program depends on the expertise of faculty, many of whom are global leaders in their specialties. The university has several specialized labs, including the WPI Life Sciences & Bioengineering Center at Gateway Park, the Center for Computational Nanoscience with Computer Clusters, the Laboratory for Education & Application Prototypes (LEAP @ WPI/QCC), and the Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM Laboratory).

Faculty Profiles

The faculty includes:

• Doug Petkie, Professor and Department Head, Physics
• Izabela Stroe, Associate Professor of Teaching, Physics
• Lyubov Titova, Professor, Physics
• Qi Wen, Associate Professor, Physics
• Kun-Ta Wu, Associate Professor, Physics
• Padmanabhan Aravind, Professor, Physics
• Nancy Burnham, Professor, Physics
• David Medich, Professor, Physics

Each faculty member has their own research focus and interests, providing a wide range of opportunities for students to engage in meaningful research projects.

Career Opportunities

The applied physics PhD program prepares students for a research and leadership career path in academia, industry, education, government, and groundbreaking discoveries at national and international laboratories.