Program Overview

Program Overview

The Program in Plasma Physics is an interdisciplinary program that aims to provide strong support and training for graduate students working in the areas of plasma science and technology. The program emphasizes both basic physics and applications, with opportunities for research projects in various areas, including the physics of hot plasmas, plasma astrophysics, plasma processing, and plasma devices.

Program Details

• Program Length: 5 years
• Application Deadline: December 1, 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time
• Application Fee: $75
• GRE Requirements: General Test - Optional/Not Required; Subject Test in Physics - Optional/Not Required

Program Offerings

• Ph.D. in Plasma Physics: The program offers a Ph.D. degree in Plasma Physics, with a focus on both theoretical and experimental research.

Courses and Requirements

• Core Courses: Students in the Program in Plasma Physics generally take a series of core courses in preparation for the program’s general examination.
• Preliminary Examination: All students must pass the preliminary examination given by the physics department, which covers material on mechanics, electricity and magnetism, quantum mechanics, and thermodynamics and statistical mechanics.
• General Examination: The general examination is taken in May of the second year and consists of two written sessions over the course of two days and one oral session conducted by a faculty examining committee.
• Qualifying for Ph.D. Candidacy: Once a student passes the general exam, a faculty committee will issue a decision regarding the advancement to Ph.D. candidacy.
• Thesis Proposal: Once a student identifies a thesis adviser and commits to a thesis project, the student formulates a committee in consultation with the adviser and completes a written thesis proposal and oral presentation.
• Dissertation and Final Public Oral Examination: The Ph.D. is awarded after the candidate’s doctoral dissertation has been accepted and the final public oral examination sustained.

Faculty

• Director of Graduate Studies: Matthew W. Kunz
• Associated Faculty:
  • Amitava Bhattacharjee, Astrophysical Sciences
  • Edgar Y. Choueiri, Mechanical & Aerospace Eng
  • Samuel A. Cohen, PPPL Appl Mat & Sustainblty Sc
  • Steven C. Cowley, PPPL Office of the Director
  • Ilya Y. Dodin, PPPL Theory
  • Nathaniel J. Fisch, Astrophysical Sciences
  • Robert J. Goldston, Astrophysical Sciences
  • David B. Graves, Chemical and Biological Eng
  • Gregory W. Hammett, PPPL Theory
  • Hantao Ji, Astrophysical Sciences
  • Egemen Kolemen, Mechanical & Aerospace Eng
  • Richard P. Majeski, PPPL Appl Mat & Sustainblty Sc
  • Julia Mikhailova, Mechanical & Aerospace Eng
  • Felix I. Parra Diaz, Astrophysical Sciences
  • Hong Qin, PPPL Theory
  • Allan H. Reiman, PPPL Theory

Research Areas

• Plasma Physics: The program covers a wide range of topics in plasma physics, including the physics of hot plasmas, plasma astrophysics, plasma processing, and plasma devices.
• Applications: The program also focuses on the applications of plasma science and technology, including fusion energy, materials fabrication, and astrophysics.