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OSU Physics: Information for prospective graduate students

Graduate students in physics at OSU have the opportunity to study and conduct research in close collaboration with faculty in the informal environment of a relatively small department. Classes in graduate core and specialized subjects are taught by dedicated, award-winning teachers. The Department is proud of its ability to provide individual attention to graduate students and to tailor students' degree programs to their special needs and interests. Almost all entering students are offered full financial support as Graduate Assistants.

Caleb Joiner and Ethan Minot
Research is central to any graduate program and the department maintains active, funded programs in Atomic, Molecular, and Optical Physics, Solid State Physics, Computational Physics, and Physics Education. Here is a sampling of current research topics: fast electron dynamics in semiconductors studied with femtosecond laser technology; the electrical, magnetic, and optical properties of transparent conductors; computational investigations of the exotic optical properties of nano-structured materials; new applications for carbon nanotube devices and organic semiconductors; laser tweezer trapping and single-molecule fluorescence spectroscopy; and the pedagogy of upper division physics instruction. These research projects, and more, may be found by going to our research web pages or to the web pages of individual faculty members.

The department makes special efforts to help students who are interested in teaching careers including a Teaching Apprentice program and a continuing Teaching Seminar. For students interested in the interface between applied physics and high-tech industries, we offer a professional science masters program in applied physics.

Oregon State University is located in Corvallis, a medium-sized city located in the Willamette Valley of western Oregon. The climate is mild, with warm, dry summers. To the west, the Pacific coast of Oregon can be reached in about an hour while the Cascade mountains, less than two hours away to the east, are available for hiking, skiing, and other mountain activities.

Application Process:      How to Apply
                                    Visiting the department
                                     Financial Support

More Information:      Frequently asked questions
                                  Information Flyer
                                  Schedule for the 2008 Prospective Grads Open House


Questions? Please contact the Graduate Student Advisor in the Physics Department
Professor Bill Warren, 541-737-4024 or gradinfo@physics.orst.edu