| Program start date | Application deadline |
| 2026-09-01 | - |
| 2027-09-01 | - |
Program Overview
Applied Physics Graduate Program
The Rice Applied Physics Graduate Program, a joint effort of the School of Natural Sciences and the School of Engineering at Rice University, under the aegis of the Office of Research, provides a truly multidisciplinary graduate education. This program produces well-trained physicists who can apply their knowledge and skills in basic physics to important cutting-edge problems in diverse disciplines of modern science and engineering.
Program Overview
Our Applied Physics graduate students have the unique opportunity to participate in the National Science Foundation (NSF) Research Traineeship in Cavity Quantum ElectroDynamics (NRT-CQED) program.
Applied Physics Facts
- The program is ranked among the top in the U.S., tied with CalTech and Stanford, by Academics Analytics.
- It boasts a Nobel Laureate among its faculty.
- The program encompasses available faculty from 9 Rice departments and 4 Texas Medical Center institutions for a truly interdisciplinary education.
- Students can choose from over 140 courses to select their 5 electives.
- The program has a faculty to student ratio of 5:1.
- There are 5 National Academy of Science members among the faculty.
Research and Education
The program offers a wide range of research opportunities, including but not limited to, the study of quantum geometry in materials and the development of new cavity designs to engineer quantum materials. Students are also encouraged to participate in workshops and seminars, such as the Workshop on Quantum Geometry and Winter School on Quantum Materials Synthesis, to advance their understanding of cutting-edge topics in applied physics.
Achievements and Recognition
Faculty and students in the program have received notable recognitions, including the American Physical Society's Frank Isakson Prize for Optical Effects in Solids. Additionally, graduates have gone on to launch companies aiming to make significant impacts in their fields, such as making graphene production faster, cheaper, and more scalable.