Why Should You Apply to Earn a M.S. or a PH.D. from Auburn University's Department of Physics?

• 1 Work with interdisciplinary research collaborations throughout Auburn University.
• 2 Launch your research career in one the five research areas with energetic, young faculty.
• 3 Benefit from competitive office for Inclusion, Equity, and Diversity. financial packages for our graduate students including tuition waivers and paid stipends.
• 4 Learn in a first-class, state-of-the-art research facility. The new Leach Science Center opened in June 2019 and is a $24 million, 62,500 square-foot addition.
• 5 Engage with diverse students, staff, and faculty. COSAM is the only college on the Auburn University campus with a dedicated 3. Benefit from competitive office for Inclusion, Equity, and Diversity.

COSAM is essential to the educational mission of Auburn University Greetings from the Auburn University Department of Physics. We are a collection of more than 25 award-winning faculty and 50 graduate students from around the world with a passion for physics research and education. We are always eager to help energetic undergraduate students and professionals continue their physics education through the pursuit of a graduate degree at Auburn.

As a department, we emphasize a collegial and friendly environment, striving to welcome all students. We have focused on building core strengths in our five research areas of atomic, molecular and optical physics; biophysics; condensed matter physics; plasma physics; and space physics. Our faculty are all active in research and more than half have joined Auburn since 2012, with more growth expected in the coming years.

The university recently completed a $24 million renovation to the Leach Science Center. This project has combined our research and teaching missions into a core facility that unifies students, faculty, study spaces, labs, and classrooms in a state-of-the-art complex with a rooftop astronomy terrace. The renovation has provided new vibration-isolated space for sensitive optical and microscopy measurements and new labs are being constructed in this wing of the building. I sincerely hope that you will consider Auburn University’s Department of Physics to pursue your graduate education and become immersed in the world of research with leading faculty from around the world.

War Eagle!

Allen Landers
Professor and Chair of the Department of Physics

The Department of Physics welcomes applications from prospective students with an interest in our graduate and research programs. Prospective students should have a bachelor’s (or equivalent) degree in physics or a related field and should apply online at the Auburn University Graduate School webpage.

Application Instructions:

View Detailed Application Instructions
Under the category Admissions Information, applicants should select Physics/PHD as their Planned Course
of Study. The following information is required for a complete application:

• Undergraduate and graduate transcripts
• The names and contact information for three recommendation providers

Note: For cases of financial hardship, applicants may apply for an application fee waiver during the application process.

Applications submitted by January 15 will receive full consideration for the upcoming academic year that begins August 15.

Once we have reviewed applications, we will invite qualified domestic students to visit our campus at our expense to learn more about our graduate program.

Lori Scott

Plasma Physics

“I knew in my junior year of high school that I would pursue a career in physics. I had the opportunity to conduct my experiment for my doctoral degree on the International Space Station.”

Stephen Williams

Plasma Physics

“With the challenges of COVID-19, I have been able to continue to work in the Leach Science Center to acquire tons of data, analyze the collected data and try new experiments. I am fortunate that my research has taken off and helps me stay on track to earn my doctoral degree in physics from Auburn University.”

Mason Parkes

Biophysics

“As a graduate student, I've been able to meet great people pursue unexpected and exciting research opportunities and become engaged in a friendly department. Auburn has provided many opportunities for me to grow and develop on a beautiful campus in a pleasant college town.”

Atomic, Molecular, and Optical Physics

• Ultrafast atomic dynamics
• Collision dynamics
• Spectroscopy

Biophysics

• Intracellular transport
• Neuroscience
• Computational modeling

Condensed Matter Physics

• Molecular beam epitaxy
• Wide bandgap devices
• 2D materials
• Electronic structure calculations

Plasma Physics

• 3D magnetic confinement
• Complex plasmas
• Plasma computational modeling

Space Physics

• Magnetosphere
• Solar emissions
• Satellite observations

Physics Education Research - DBER

• Problem Solving
• Equity and Diversity in STEM
• Student Motivation and Perceptions