Program Overview

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Overview of the Physics Program

The University of Toledo's graduate program in Physics and Astronomy provides a cutting-edge research environment for master's and doctoral students. The program is designed for students interested in conducting research in various areas, including astronomy and astrophysics, atomic physics, biophysics and medical physics, condensed matter, computational materials science and photovoltaics, and photonics and non-linear optics.

Research Areas

The Department of Physics and Astronomy has primary areas of strength in:

• Atomic, molecular and optical physics
• Condensed matter/materials science and photovoltaics
• Astronomy and astrophysics
• Biological physics
• Medical physics

Degree Options

Students can pursue the following degree options:

• Master of Science (M.S.) in Physics
• Professional Science Master's in Photovoltaics (P.S.M.-PV)
• Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Physics with concentrations in astrophysics and other areas

Program Details

M.S. in Physics

The M.S. program in Physics is designed to provide students with a strong foundation in physics and prepare them for careers in industry or further study.

Professional Science Master's in Photovoltaics (P.S.M.-PV)

The P.S.M.-PV program is a two-year program that offers a strong science foundation with courses and laboratory training in photovoltaics, professional presentations, and business courses, as well as a six-month corporate-sponsored internship.

Ph.D. in Physics

The Ph.D. program in Physics is designed to prepare students for careers in research and academia. Students spend most of their time conducting research to complete their thesis and are expected to publish several papers in peer-reviewed journals and present at conferences.

Career Opportunities

Graduates of the program have been hired as research scientists and technologists in industry, scientists in national laboratories, and professors at institutions such as the University of Chicago, Ohio State University, and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Graduates of the P.S.M.-PV program have found internships and jobs with companies such as First Solar, Inc., IBM, and the U.S. Department of Energy's Solar Energy Technologies Program.

Accreditation

The Medical Physics Ph.D. program is fully accredited by the Commission on the Accreditation of Medical Physics Education Programs (CAMPEP), and the Professional Science Master's program in Photovoltaics is accredited by the National Professional Science Masters Association.

Facilities and Resources

The Department of Physics and Astronomy has access to state-of-the-art equipment, including the Wright Center for Photovoltaics Innovation and Commercialization, an on-campus one-meter reflecting telescope, parallel computing clusters, and the Ohio Supercomputer Cluster.