Whether you want to work toward earning a Master of Science (M.S.) in Physics or a doctorate (Ph.D.), our physics graduate program allows you to focus your studies to suit your interests and to propel you into a successful physics-related career.
The University of Idaho Department of Physics faculty is internationally recognized for its outstanding educational, research and outreach efforts. Our department works collaboratively with many allied departments such as biology, chemistry and computer science by sharing ideas and engaging in sophisticated multi-disciplinary research projects. Our team of professors is unique in that they genuinely enjoy guiding and working with graduate students in research efforts centered on nuclear physics, condensed matter physics, biophysics, atomic physics, and physics education.
With a M.S. or Ph.D. degree in physics, you’ll be prepared to work in prominent research and development departments for high-tech companies or in government labs. Or, with a teaching certificate, you’ll be equipped to secure teaching positions at the high school, junior college or university level (Ph.D. required). Graduates from our program have built careers as astronomers, educators, senior software engineers, health physics specialists, medical physicists and much more.
You’ll also gain invaluable experience through time in the lab, where you will use high-tech instrumentation equipment in the exploration of the many sub areas of physics, such as mechanics, electronics, atomic and nuclear physics, and quantum mechanics. Depending on your research interest area, you will be assigned a faculty member to act as your adviser. This faculty member will help you formulate a study plan designed specifically to meet your goals and to guide you through the program, including the development of your own research initiative.
Our department works closely with neighboring laboratories and universities, including Washington State University, which is eight miles away.