About the course

The graduate physics program is designed to give students an adequate background in the concepts and techniques of theoretical and experimental physics in preparation for careers at the most advanced level in research or teaching. The program is designed for the student who wants to become a professional physicist. It has two main components: Mastery of at least a core of advanced general physics. This component is intended to provide the students with the foundational knowledge enabling them to pursue a broad range of employment options upon graduation, including teaching physics at a four-year college level or higher, and/or conducting research in areas different than that of the thesis. Original research in a specific area of physics. The research component provides the student with an in-depth knowledge of a particular area of active physics research, along with significant research experience in that area culminating in production of a thesis based on original scientific findings.

　　One such approach is the design of diagnostic assessments and surveys. While many instructors develop questions to assess student learning, diagnostic research assessments undergo rigorous design, testing, and validation processes to facilitate objective comparisons between students and methods of instruction. These assessments are like detectors that must be carefully crafted and calibrated to ensure we understand what they are measuring.

　　The Cornell Physics Education Research Lab has a large focus on studying and developing learning in lab courses. Researchers are collecting data to evaluate the efficacy of lab courses in achieving various goals, from reinforcing physics concepts to fostering student attitudes and motivation to developing critical thinking and experimentation skills. They are designing innovative teaching methods to harness the affordances of lab courses, namely, working with messy data, getting hands on materials, troubleshooting equipment, and connecting physical models to the real world and data. There are many open research questions related to understanding how students learn these ideas. Scholarships - View all scholarships Internships

　　

Start dates and prices

Course fees are indicative and should be used as a guide. Speak to a counsellor to get an accurate price.

　　Duration: 6 Semester(s)Fees: US$74,400

Intake	Location
Fall (August), 2024	Ithaca
Fall (August), 2025	Ithaca

　　

How to apply

Entry requirements for Cornell University

Most entering students have completed an undergraduate program in physics, including such courses as analytical mechanics, electricity and magnetism, optics and wave motion, electronics, and atomic physics, some advanced undergraduate laboratory work in physics is also expected. Knowledge of linear algebra, differential equations, and vector calculus is essential. Additional study in mathematics is desirable. The quality of undergraduate work and promise for graduate work are weighted more heavily than the extent of undergraduate study in physics and related subjects. Some entering students enroll in one or more undergraduate courses to make up deficiencies.

　　Minimum IBT TOEFL scores required for consideration are: OVERALL 78

　　Writing: 20

　　Listening: 15

　　Reading: 20

　　Speaking: 23

　　The Graduate School requires an overall band score of a 7.0 or higher on the IELTS.The Physics Department requires a minimum speaking subscore of 7.0.

　　GRE general test

　　The GRE general test and the GRE Physics subject test are not required for the 2021 admissions cycle.

　　

English language requirements

　　7.0

　　Overall IELTS band score

　　Book IELTS

　　About IELTS

　　Practice and prepare

　　TOEFL Internet based overall score: 78.0

　　

Application deadline:

This date isn’t available – speak to an IDP counsellor to get detailed information.

　　

Further information

Career outcomesIf you aren’t eligible for the above entry requirements, you might want to explore pathway options at Cornell University. If you want to find out more, please speak to our counsellors.

　　Pathway options to study at this institution

　　

Reviews and rankings

World ranking

　　20th / 1250

　　THE World ranking

　　

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