The University of Missouri offers exceptional academic opportunities for graduate study in physics and astronomy. The department allows close contact between faculty and students in a friendly environment, while providing outstanding research facilities both on and off campus and various means of financial aid for both undergraduate and graduate students.
Classes are generally small and provide ample opportunity for informal contact between students and faculty. The faculty have a strong commitment to teaching as well as research. There is a deep concern for preparing students for existing jobs in physics and related disciplines.
The Department of Physics and Astronomy offers many opportunities for scientific research in internationally recognized programs, some of which are unique at a university and at a level expected only in much larger departments. The main focus of research is in the areas of theoretical and experimental condensed matter physics, biological physics, astrophysics, and alternative energy. These research efforts are fostered by the existence of the University of Missouri Research Reactor (MURR), a 10 MW light-water moderated reactor that is the highest-power university research reactor in the country. Furthermore, many research activities involve facilities at National Laboratories such as Argonne, Oak Ridge, or NIST.
Recently, the department received a 5-year grant from the NSF IGERT program which offers a new paradigm for interdisciplinary training of PhD students in the application of neutron scattering techniques to condensed matter science and engineering. Annual stipends are $30,000 plus tuition and fees, over a period of 2 years. For further information and application procedure, please see igert.missouri.edu.
Degrees Offered
Doctoral
On Campus
*This program is eligible for the STEM OPT Extension.
Admission Criteria
Fall deadline: February 1 (for full consideration)
Spring deadline: October 1
Minimum Language Requirements
Click here to view the minimum English language proficiency test scores
Please consult the Physics Department homepage for details regarding the application process and the required materials.
Required Application Materials
For the Graduate School
- Completed Graduate School online application
- Unofficial Transcripts- As part of the application submission process, all applicants are required to upload unofficial copies of all post-secondary transcripts to the online application. Official transcripts are only required if accepted by the academic program.
- Official Results of English Proficiency Exams (International applicants only)
For the Physics and Astronomy Program
All application materials must be submitted to the Graduate School online application system.
- International applicants: If your first language is not English, submit your official TOEFL scores using institution code 6875 and department code 76.
- A statement of purpose, in which you tell us a bit about yourself (e.g. your motivations, career goals, and research interests, and why you chose to apply at the University of Missouri)
- Three letters of recommendation
- A resume/CV
*The program no longer requires verbal, quantitative, or analytical GRE scores. They also do not require the Physics GRE. However, if you wish to supply these scores, you may supply them as part of your supplemental documentation.
Master's
On Campus
*This program is eligible for the STEM OPT Extension.
Admission Criteria
Fall deadline: February 1 (for full consideration)
Spring deadline: October 1
Minimum Language Requirements
Click here to view the minimum English language proficiency test scores
Please consult the Physics Department homepage for details regarding the application process and the required materials.
Required Application Materials
For the Graduate School
- Completed Graduate School online application
- Unofficial Transcripts- As part of the application submission process, all applicants are required to upload unofficial copies of all post-secondary transcripts to the online application. Official transcripts are only required if accepted by the academic program.
- Official Results of English Proficiency Exams (International applicants only)
For the Physics and Astronomy Program
All application materials must be submitted to the Graduate School online application system.
- International applicants: If your first language is not English, submit your official TOEFL scores using institution code 6875 and department code 76.
- A statement of purpose, in which you tell us a bit about yourself (e.g. your motivations, career goals, and research interests, and why you chose to apply at the University of Missouri)
- Three letters of recommendation
- A resume/CV
*The program no longer requires verbal, quantitative, or analytical GRE scores. They also do not require the Physics GRE. However, if you wish to supply these scores, you may supply them as part of your supplemental documentation.