Doctor of Philosophy in Physics - Theoretical Condensed Matter Physics

The Theoretical Condensed Matter Physics group works in a number of related areas, trying to understand structural, physical, chemical, electronic, vibrational, magnetic, optical, and other properties of solids and condensed phases. The types of systems studied include polymer mixtures and block copolymers, polymer films on rough substrates, metals and semiconductors and their alloys, surfaces, nanocrystallites and nanostructures, chemisorbed gases, magnetic layers, and fine magnetic particles. Theorists working in condensed matter theory apply quantum mechanics, statistical mechanics and advanced computational techniques such as ab-initio electronic structure calculations and classical and quantum Monte Carlo and molecular dynamics simulations, to model the fundamental interactions between atoms and molecules in a material. All of our theorists use computation as an important tool. In addition to achieving a basic theoretical understanding of how atomic interactions lead to interesting macroscopic behavior, an important goal of our condensed matter theorists is to describe many phenomena of technological importance, such as corrosion, catalysis, wetting, phase changes, magnetic and electronic data storage, and friction and nanotribology. Ultimately, theory developed in collaboration with experimentalists will contribute towards the development of novel materials and new and interesting devices based on those materials.

Applicants, including current K-State students, must upload copies of transcripts.
A bachelor's degree from a college or university accredited by a regional or national institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale or GPA of 3.0 in the last 60 hours of coursework.
Letters of Recommendation
IBT TOEFL (internet based)- 79, 550 on PBT
IELTS academic test- 6.5