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    University of North Texas
   
    Jul 24, 2025  
2025-26 Graduate Catalog 
    
2025-26 Graduate Catalog

Department of Physics


Main Departmental Office
Physics Building, Room 110

Mailing address:
1155 Union Circle #311427
Denton, TX 76203-5017
940-565-2626
Web site: www.phys.unt.edu

Jingbiao Cui, Chair
Rebekah Purvis, Associate Chair
 

Faculty  
 

Students in the Department of Physics have the opportunity to obtain training with state-of-the-art equipment in modern research laboratories in areas of interest to the scientific and industrial communities, particularly those involved in microelectronics, semiconductors, applications of accelerators, photonics and lasers, and modern computational methods. Opportunities are available to develop highly marketable skills in basic and applied physics as well as interactions with regional industries.

Research

The Department of Physics is committed to carrying out state-of-the-art research across a number of areas of physics and closely related areas of science and technology. Many opportunities also exist for undergraduate research participation, for example, through senior thesis projects. With these strong student involvements, the department’s research activities support and complement student education and professional preparation.

Research in the department is concentrated in the following principal areas:

  • Applied Physics
  • Astrophysics
  • Atomic, molecular and optical physics
  • Condensed Matter Physics

Supporting these research areas are a number of facilities and theoretical and observational programs:

  • Astrophysics research using ground and space-based telescopes
  • Atomic, molecular and optical theory
  • Atomic scattering physics laboratory
  • Complex systems science
  • Condensed matter theory
  • Ion beam modification and analysis laboratory
  • Materials modeling and computation
  • Nano-Plasmonics and Nano-Optics Laboratory
  • Nanoscale materials synthesis and characterization laboratory
  • Plasma science
  • Precision atomic physics measurements laboratory
  • Remote access and public astronomical observatories (LINKS)
  • Scanning tunneling microscopy laboratory
  • Semiconductor materials and devices characterization laboratory
  • Optical nano/micro-fabrication
  • Ultrafast spectroscopy and nanophotonics laboratory

Degree programs

The Department of Physics offers graduate programs leading to the Master of Science and the Doctor of Philosophy, both with a major in physics.

Admission requirements

Application to the master’s or doctoral programs in physics is made through the UNT Toulouse Graduate School.

The prospective student must complete all of the general application requirements for the UNT Toulouse Graduate School described in this catalog and on the Toulouse Graduate School web site. To satisfy the requirements for a standardized admission test, the prospective student must take the general Graduate Record Examination (GRE); of principal interest are the results from the quantitative and analytical portions of the examination.

As part of the application, the prospective student must also submit a statement of purpose and C.V., described on the UNT Department of Physics web site, and provide contact information for two recommenders.  The recommenders must be individuals familiar with the applicant’s academic and/or professional abilities.  At least one letter must be from the last academic institution attended.

In addition to the above, the program may consider the applicant’s related work experience, research and publication record, presentations at professional meetings, leadership roles, teaching excellence, awards, potential to enhance the intellectual diversity of the department and program, and other factors that might provide evidence of potential success in completion of a graduate degree in the Department of Physics.

Programs

    Master’s DegreeDoctorate

    Courses

      Physics