Doctor of Philosophy in Physics- Theoretical Nuclear and Particle Physics

The theoretical nuclear and particle physics group investigates a broad range of topics relating to the fundamental interactions of matter. These include the study of quantum chromodynamics, confinement, large-N theories and volume dependence, topological excitations, the quark structure of mesons and baryons, hadronic interactions, hadronic matter under extreme conditions, photonuclear reactions, heavy ion collisions, cold atomic systems, superfluidity, viscous hydrodynamics, electroweak symmetry breaking, neutrino mixing, neutrino interactions with nucleons and nuclei, stellar evolution, supernovae, nucleosynthesis, the early universe, tests of the standard model, light-front quantization, effective field theory and lattice supersymmetry. The Department of Physics offers outstanding graduate programs to prepare graduates for bright futures in academia and physics careers. Our Ph.D. program offers an exciting intellectual climate and a strong emphasis on research that advances the frontiers of physics. Our two M.S. programs (with thesis and without) prepare students to continue on to a Ph.D. degree or pursue career options. We envision North Carolina State University's Department of Physics as performing creative, highly visible research in fundamental and applied science. Our vision blends fundamental physics and applications, theory and experiment, and integrates research and innovative teaching to create a vibrant intellectual atmosphere within a welcoming and collegial environment.

We welcome applications from students who will have earned bachelor's degrees at accredited institutions by Fall 2022. The majority of our applicants major in physics in their undergraduate education, but some obtain their degrees in related fields such as electrical engineering or mathematics. The department has on occasion admitted interested students who focused on social sciences or even humanities as undergraduates. Certified undergraduate transcripts must be sent directly from the undergraduate institution to the NC State Graduate School. Transcripts must be received from all undergraduate institutions that the applicant attended.
Three letters of recommendation must be included from people qualified to judge the prospective student's ability to succeed in graduate school. These can be submitted electronically via the application system or via hard copy to the Department of Physics Graduate Office.
GRE Scores. We are aware that the ability to take GRE Subject tests is currently limited due to the Covid pandemic. If you have prior test results, we will be able to consider them, but do not require submission. Passing the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) with a score of 80 or above, passing IELTS (International English Language System) with with an overall band score of at least 6.5 , Toefl paper-based test requires a score of 550 or higher (with scores of 50 on at least two of the three sections and no section score below 45). Applicants will submit a CV and candidate statement. The candidate statement should describe why the applicant is pursuing a graduate degree, what research experience and accomplishments the candidate has obtained, and possible research interests and advisers. Finally the candidate should address special or unusual aspects of their educational career.
Applicants are able to submit additional materials at their discretion. For instance, these include publications or copies of posters that were presented at scientific meetings.