Graduate Programs

Overview

The University of Toledo's world-class graduate program in Physics and Astronomy provides a cutting-edge research environment for master's and doctoral students. 

The University of Toledo is a world leader in astrophysics, materials physics, medical physics, and photovoltaics research. Photovoltaics is a growing industry with a high demand for skilled professionals.  

UToledo boasts nationally and internationally recognized faculty members in Physics and Astronomy. Our graduate program is designed for students interested in conducting research in: 

• Astronomy and astrophysics 
• Atomic physics 
• Biophysics and medical physics 
• Condensed matter, computational materials science and photovoltaics 
• Photonics and non-linear optics 

Students pursuing a master's degree in Physics can choose from: 

• M.S. in physics 
• Professional science master's in photovoltaics (P.S.M.-PV). This two-year program offers a strong science foundation with courses and laboratory training in photovoltaics, professional presentations and business courses and a six-month, corporate-sponsored internship. 

Students in our Ph.D. Physics program can choose concentrations in: 

• Astrophysics  

Top Reasons to Study physics at UToledo

1. International reputation in photovoltaics.

   Toledo and the state of Ohio have a long history of success in the photovoltaics industry. That history, along with The University of Toledo's expertise in PV science and technology, led to the creation of the Wright Center for Photovoltaics Innovation and Commercialization.  

   Faculty members across UToledo departments work with corporate partners to develop PV materials, devices and systems. UToledo's professional science master's program in Photovoltaics helps the nation meet the growing demand for highly skilled PV professionals.  

2. High-tech labs and research facilities.

   UToledo Physics graduate students have access to: 

   • State-of-the-art equipment in the Wright Center for Photovoltaics Innovation and Commercialization 
   • On-campus, one-meter reflecting telescope with dedicated spectrographs 
   • Several parallel computing clusters, as well as access to the Ohio Supercomputer Cluster 
   • Radiation and diagnostic equipment to perform research in medical physics 
   • The Toledo High Energy Ion Accelerator Lab 
3. Learn from the best.

   Work closely with faculty members who are renowned in the field.  

   • Five fellows of the American Physical Society 
   • Two fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science 
   • Four endowed professors 
   • Two editors of scientific journals 
4. Financial aid.

   Graduate Physics students are supported through teaching and research assistantships. We also offer incentive and stipend enhancements for exceptionally qualified applicants. 
5. Accreditation.

   UToledo's Medical Physics Ph.D. program is fully accredited by the Commission on the Accreditation of Medical Physics Education Programs (CAMPEP). The professional science master's program in photovoltaics is accredited by the National Professional Science Master’s Association. 
6. The fast track.

   Our physics graduate program's average time to graduation is five years, which is lower than the national average. 

Faculty and students in UToledo’s Department of Physics and Astronomy work closely to conduct world-class research. Our primary areas of strength are in: 

• Atomic, molecular and optical physics 
• Condensed matter/materials science and photovoltaics 
• Astronomy and astrophysics 
• Biological physics 
• Medical physics (with strong ties to the UToledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences) 

UToledo Ph.D. students in Physics spend most of their time conducting research to complete their thesis. They are expected to publish several papers in peer-reviewed journals and present at conferences. 

The Department of Physics and Astronomy is a major participant in the Wright Center for Photovoltaics Innovation and Commercialization.  

Members of UToledo's Astronomy and Astrophysics group also are involved in major NASA missions through the "Search for Origins" project. They perform theoretical and observational research with collaborators at leading observatories around the world.  

We are also a partner in Lowell Observatory’s Discovery Channel Telescope. 

 

What jobs can I get with a physics degree?

Graduates of UToledo's master's program in Physics typically advance to Ph.D. programs or take jobs in the industry. 

Our Ph.D. graduates have been hired as: 

• Research scientists and technologists in industry 
• Scientists in national laboratories  
• Professors 

Alumni of UToledo's graduate programs in Physics have landed positions at institutions such as:  

• University of Chicago 
• Baker College, Flint, Mich. 
• Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, N.Y. 
• Ohio State University, Columbus 
• Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Washington 
• NASA 
• Intel Corporation, Santa Clara, Calif. 
• Boeing Company, Chicago 
• The Raytheon Company, Waltham, Mass.   

Graduates of the P.S.M.-PV program have found internships and jobs with: 

• First Solar, Inc., Tempe, Ariz. 
• IBM, Armonk, N.Y. 
• U.S. Department of Energy's Solar Energy Technologies Program 
• NexTronics, Toledo, Ohio 
• Owens-Illinois 
• Radco Industries, Infusion Technologies Division, Toledo, Ohio