Graduate Program
Research Programs
Our department offers both the masters and doctoral degree in physics; both degrees require a research thesis. Before considering our physics department as a possible place to pursue an advanced degree, it is best to explore our faculty's research interests located on the Physics and Astronomy Home Page overlap with your interests.
During the last five years, research programs at UNLV have been emphasized and strengthened. During this time, UNLV has moved up in rank substantially (two levels) on the Carnegie Institute Classifications to "Research University- Intensive". In the last 3 years, UNLV has hired 350 new faculty members and vigorously expanded its research programs in the sciences by adding new faculty and new state-of-the-art facilities, and increasing the number of available degrees, thus increasing the opportunities for graduate study. As part of the mission of promoting research, our Physics Department has added four faculty, three of which are affiliated with our new research area in high pressure physics. Ongoing programs include areas in astronomy/astrophysics; atomic, molecular and optical physics; and condensed matter physics. We are actively seeking graduate students for our expanding research effort.
All programs have state-of-the-art experimental facilities or high speed computers available for modeling. Our courses are taught by faculty, not lecturers or teaching assistants. Admitting graduate students are offered financial aid. Our graduate student stipends are competitive and research funding is available in many groups. Additional scholarships are available for summer salary.
Admission to the Graduate Program
Prospective graduate students must satisfy the graduate admission requirements for the relevant degree.
Graduate school application forms and fees, official transcripts, test results and assistantship applications are all submitted directly to the Graduate College (address below). Informal copies of the application, transcripts, test results, three letters of recommendation, and a cover letter are to be submitted directly to the department office. Both the General and Advanced Graduate Record Examination (GRE) are required.
International students should check with the Graduate College for current deadlines and procedures (p. 21 - 25). International students are required by the Graduate College to complete the TOEFL exam with a score of 550 or higher, or to show comparable evidence of competence in English.
Application materials are available on line. They can be downloaded from the Internet as Adobe PDF files. If that format is inconvenient for you, send your request by email, and the forms will be sent to you by surface mail. NOTE: the forms for admission to the graduate program are separate from the forms for financial assistance. Be sure to apply for both.
Financial Aid
Presently, all physics graduate students are offered financial aid, and financial aid is continued throughout the graduate career of all graduate students in good standing. Financial aid consists of tuition remission and a stipend. The cost of living in Las Vegas is about at the national average. All students are strongly urged to read the relevant pages of the UNLV Graduate Catalog (pp. 29-31), which set forth the regulations and conditions governing financial aid.
Graduate Student Housing
Typically, graduate students do not live on campus. There are many apartments available near campus. Suitable apartments can be found on bulletin boards on campus, booklets available in retail stores in town, and on the web at www.lasvegas.com.
Courses
A listing of the physics graduate courses is available on-line.
Seminars
Graduate students give scientific seminars as part of their education and professional development. Graduate students also attend the weekly colloquium. There is a chapter of the Society of Physics Students (SPS), including both graduate and undergraduate students, and welcomes participation by students.
Links