phd physics upenn

• College of Arts & Sciences
• Graduate Division
• College of Liberal and Professional Studies

Undergraduate Research

Our Physics and Astronomy majors play an important role in the exciting, cutting-edge research that takes place at Penn.  About half of our majors are working in a research lab/group at any given time.  Students who are interested in pursuing a PhD are strongly encouraged to get engaged in research before applying to graduate schools.  It is never too early or late to get involved!

Students can contact individual faculty members and ask for opportunities and/or visit the CURF site to search for open positions .

Radiation Physics Research

The long-term goal of the Radiation Physics Research Program in the Department of Radiation Oncology at the University of Pennsylvania is to develop innovative therapeutic solutions for the treatment of human disease. Advancements made towards this goal involves applied physics research in many areas that include high energy proton and photon radiation, use of artificial intelligence (AI) methods, FLASH radiation therapy, photodynamic therapy, dosimetry techniques, and innovative image guided approaches to target radiotherapy for improving patient outcome. Our program is unique in the breadth and depth of the research available and in the wealth of collaborative activities both nationally and internationally as well with industry.

Current support for our research and educational goals include:

• 3 Program Project grants (P01) with our Radiation Biology Division in Translational Studies in FLASH Particle Radiotherapy, Pleura Photodynamic Therapy and Radiation and Checkpoint Blockade for Cancer Immune Therapy.
• Several R01 grant funded research on topics such as: Photodynamic Therapy, Proton Beam Planning, Photo-Acoustics, Ultrasound Hyperthermia, Robotic and Frameless SRS.
• Partnership with Industry supported research: various research grants IBA and VARIAN on new technology and treatment modalities, such as Flash radiotherapy and biologically guided online adapted SBRT.
• Individual faculty research activities many of the funded by the Department of radiation Oncology and by the University.
• National Institute of Health (NIH) and National Cancer Institute (NCI) funded research.
• A large number of collaborative funded research activities with other institutions.
• Global Education and Global Health initiatives funded by the NCI, American Institute of Physics (AIP) and others.

Radiation Physics Division Links

• Career Opportunities
• Physics/Dosimetry Research Resource Requests

Investigators

Stephen avery, phd.

Dr. Avery has expertise in Protoacoustics, the measurement of sound waves generated by clinical proton beams, with a specific application of combining kHz ultrasound signals to proton therapy. He is working to develop end-to-end testing of a 3D dosimetry system for ultra-fast dose rate (FLASH) proton treatments and model the effects of 3D motion during treatment.

Lei Dong, PhD

Dr. Dong has significant contributions to IMRT optimization, deformable image registration, adaptive radiotherapy, and proton therapy.

Alireza Kassaee, PhD

Associate Professor

Dr. Kassaee has research interests on the application of 3D printing for customization of QA phantoms in proton radiotherapy, polymer gel dosimetry in proton therapy and proton Flash therapy, and application of novel dosimetry detectors such as laser vibrometer and piezo film for proton range verification in protoacoustics.

Michele Kim, PhD

Assistant Professor

Dr. Kim has research interests in Proton FLASH radiation dosimetry and instrumentation, small animal radiobiological studies, and photodynamic therapy dosimetry.

Rafe Mcbeth, PhD

Dr. McBeth has expertise in computational methods for radiation therapy including artificial intelligence, Monte Carlo simulation, and automation techniques. His clinical research interests include the ethical and safe integration of artificial intelligence and automation into clinical practice.

Dimitris Mihailidis, PhD

Dr. Mihailidis has made significant contributions in electron beam dosimetry, managing of radiotherapy patients with cardiac implanted devices and other devices and, in clinical development of new technologies in the clinic. In addition, his investigations include, dosimetry and calibration protocols for Flash beams, use of detectors for electron dosimetry and Flash beam dosimetry and verification and quality control and dose management of dental Cone Beam CT systems.

Shannon O’ Reilly, PhD

Dr. O’Reilly has research interests in functional lung imaging, Monte Carlo dosimetry, and reducing radiation-induced toxicities. She specializes in proton therapy and investigates the use of dual energy CT as well as aspects related to thoracic radiotherapy.

Kevin Teo, PhD

Associate Professor  --Director of Medical Physics, Vice Chair, Medical Physics

Dr. Teo has research focused on the applications of advanced imaging tools to improve quantification and reduce proton range uncertainties. These include implementing the use of dual energy CT (DECT) for proton planning and treatment with reduced range uncertainty margins as well as perfusion blood volume imaging for functional lung imaging studies.

Rodney Wiersma, PhD

Dr. Wiersma research is focused on investigation of ultrahigh dose rate FLASH for radiation therapy, development of quality assurance (QA) systems, image guidance radiation therapy (IGRT) systems, treatment planning optimization, and the application of robotics to radiation therapy (RT).

Ying Xiao, PhD

Dr. Xiao performs research on knowledge-based planning quality research for both Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy (IMRT) and Intensity Modulated Proton Therapy (IMPT), deep learning based quantitative quality assurance of structure delineation, and predictive modeling for outcome driven clinical guidelines, standardization for AI implementation, and voxel level dosimetry for radio-pharmaceutical therapy.

Timothy Zhu, PhD

Dr. Zhu has significant contribution to explicit Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) dosimetry, PDT reactive oxygen species explicit dosimetry (ROSED), integrated system for interstitial and intracavitory PDT, diffuse optical tomography, diode in vivo dosimetry, and external beam radiation transport.

• College of Arts & Sciences
• Graduate Division
• College of Liberal and Professional Studies

The Physics & Astronomy Major

Introduction.

• Core Courses
• Concentration in Advanced Physical Theory and Experimental Techniques
• Concentration in Chemical Principles
• Concentration in Computer Techniques
• Concentration in Astrophysics
• Concentration in Business and Technology
• Concentration in Biological Sciences

The Physics Honors Program and Senior Thesis

The master's program in physics, elective courses, undergraduate research, the informal curriculum.

• The Minor Program

Double Majors

How to declare the major.

• Physics Course Roster
• Astronomy Course Roster

We are proud of our undergraduate curriculum. Introductory Physics is taught in several formats, ranging from small, accelerated honors sections, Structured, Active, In-Class Learning (SAIL) sections, to larger lecture courses. (The main criteria for admission to the honors course is a sufficiently advanced math preparation to be able to handle the material at a higher level, and a willingness to work hard). We ask our very best faculty to teach in the introductory program; all of the department's major course offerings are taught by members of the faculty. Once past the year of introductory Physics, upper level courses are all taught in small classes. There are many opportunities for individual contact with the faculty. It is also straightforward to complete a double major. In recent years, students have combined the study of Physics with Mathematics, Economics, Electrical Engineering, and Chemistry. A large proportion of our graduating seniors go on to do graduate work in Physics at top-ranked institutions.

Because most of our faculty of 37 have active research programs, students have ample opportunities to be kept informed of, and participate in, the latest developments in cutting-edge research. Our research interests include Elementary Particle Physics, Condensed Matter Physics, and Astrophysics. We make a serious effort to involve interested undergraduates in the department's research activities, in the form of both independent research projects for academic credit and summer research jobs.

The basic Physics major program provides a solid background in classical and modern Physics. The development follows the historical origins of the subject, starting with mechanics and proceeding to electromagnetism and then to the contribution of the twentieth century, relativity and quantum mechanics. Pedagogically the program is cyclical: after an introductory survey the major provides courses focused on the primary divisions of the subject. Students planning graduate study in Physics will generally take several elective courses in the department while those intending to seek employment in industry, or further study in other fields after graduation, will take electives appropriate to their career objectives.

There are several flavors, or "concentrations" to the Physics major. All start with the same fundamental set of courses, but they differ in the choice of upper-division and elective courses:

• Concentration in Physical Theory and Experimental Technique: This concentration is particularly appropriate for students contemplating graduate study in Physics. It provides a sound basis in Physics and Mathematics, with ample opportunities to take elective or even graduate courses and participate in research.
• Concentration in Chemical Principles: This concentration is particularly appropriate for students planning to enter the health professions. In addition to core Physics courses, two years of Chemistry form an integral part of this concentration.
• Concentration in Computer Techniques: This concentration is particularly appropriate for students contemplating a dual degree in Physics and Computer Science, or for those planning a career in the computer or electronics industries. In addition to core Physics courses, students choose from a selection of courses in Computer Science and computational techniques.
• Concentration in Astrophysics: This concentration is particularly appropriate for students planning to attend graduate school in Astrophysics. In addition to core Physics courses, students choose from a selection of courses in Astronomy and Astrophysics.
• Concentration in Business and Technology: This concentration is particularly appropriate for students whose ultimate goal is a career in modern industry involving both technical and managerial components. A student choosing this concentration will have a solid background in Physics, will be comfortable with both electronics and computers, and will have some appreciation of modern business methods and economics.
• Concentration in Biological Sciences: This concentration reflects increasing contributions of physicists (including members of our Faculty) to implications of Physics to Biological Sciences. Undergraduate students choosing this concentration will prepare themselves for careers in scientific research or professional Medical Physics programs that have been instituted at Penn and other Universities, among other possibilities.

The major in physics is divided into a core requirement plus all of the courses in one of five concentrations: Advanced Physical Theory and Experimental Techniques, Chemical Principles, Computer Techniques, Astrophysics, or Business and Technology.   There is an overall requirement of 17 1/2 or 18 1/2 credit units (c.u.), depending on the concentration chosen. There is also an honors program for ambitious students.  A Master's Program permits qualified students to submatriculate and obtain a master's degree.

With each concentration, we supply a "sample program." There is no single physics program suitable for all, since students arrive at the University with diverse scientific goals and backgrounds. Many students enter Penn with advanced placement credit in physics, mathematics, or both. On occasion, they may wish to substitute courses taken in other departments for physics department courses. Students who have transferred to Penn often require highly individualized programs which maximize their prior coursework while challenging them to explore other areas of the discipline.

Accordingly, the sample programs provided should serve as guides indicating the overall flow of the program, rather than as rigid patterns. It is imperative that all students intending to major in physics consult the undergraduate chair as early as possible in their careers in order to plan their course of study. The planned requirements for a major in Physics include the core courses listed below plus all of the courses in one of the five concentrations.

Core Courses: The following courses must be taken by all Physics majors, no matter what their concentration:

Math 1400, 1140, 2400, and 2410 (Math 104, 114, 240, and 241). Physics 0150 or 0170, Physics 0151 or 0171 (Physics 150 or 170, Physics 151 or 171). Physics 1230, 1250, 3351*, 3361, 3362, and 4411 (Physics 230, 250, 351*, 361, 362, and 411). *Physics 3351 is not required for the Biological Sciences concentration, but it is highly recommended.

Concentration Requirements

• Physics 4401, 4412, and 3364 or 4414
• An additional elective, consisting of one course offered by the Department of Physics and Astronomy at the 3300, 4400, or 5500 level.
• Chemistry 1101 and 1202
• Chemistry 2221 and 2222 or Chemistry 2241 and 2242.
• Physics 4401

18.5 units total For students interested in biological applications of physics, Physics 1280 (Biophysics) is strongly recommended. It recommended, but not required, that students in this concentration also take either Physics 3364 or Physics 4414.

• Physics 3364 or 3414
• Three other courses from the departments of Physics, Computer and Information Science, Electrical Engineering, or Mathematics, that stress computers and computation in the context of Physics-related problems. These courses are to be selected in consultation with the Undergraduate Chair, and should comprise an intellectually coherent sequence.  Possible courses in this list might include: CIS 1100, 1200 and 1210, EE 20000, EE 5390, Math 3200, Physics 1260, 3360, or an independent Physics 1299 or 4499 course incorporating a substantial computational component.
• Astronomy 1211 and 1212, Physics 4401
• Two of the following: Physics 3364, Physics 4414, Astronomy 1250
• One of the following: Physics 4421, Physics 5503, Physics 5505, Physics 5526.
• Physics 3364 or Physics 4414
• One course from the departments of Physics, Computer and Information Science, Electrical Engineering, or Mathematics, to be selected in consultation with the Undergraduate Chair, that stresses computers and computation in the context of Physics-related problems. Possible courses in this list might include: CIS 1100, 1200 and 1210, EE 2000, EE 5390, Math 3200, or an independent Physics 1299 or 4499 course incorporating a substantial computational component.
• Any four electives in business. These courses should provide a coherent course of study and should be chosen by consulting with the undergraduate chair. Recommended electives include: Accounting 1010, 1020; Economics 0010, 0020; Finance 1010, 1020; Legal Studies 2020; Management 1010; Operations Management 2100, 2210.

Concentration in Biological Sciences (19.5 units)

This concentration reflects increasing contributions of physicists (including members of our Faculty) to implications of Physics to Biological Sciences. Undergraduate students choosing this concentration will prepare themselves for careers in scientific research or professional Medical Physics programs that have been instituted at Penn and other Universities, among other possibilities.

The proposed Concentration is distinct from the existing Biophysics Major, although the two share several required courses. The Biophysics Major requires much more chemistry, making it appropriate for students interested in protein science and other topics within the well-established field of Biophysics The Physics major with a Concentration in Biological Science targets students with interests in the emerging field of Biological Physics, where researchers directly apply physical concepts and techniques to investigate biological systems; the emphasis is on developing new insights regarding biological systems from a perspective strongly rooted in Physics.

Concentration requirements (19.5 CU):

In addition to core requirements (NOTE: Physics 240 rather than Phys 250; Physics 351 is not required, but highly recommended):

BIOL 121 – Introduction to Biology and Molecular Biology* * - after consultation with the Undergraduate Chair, students with a strong background in Biology may be allowed to replace BIOL 121 with CHEM 251 or a BIOL elective.

BIOL 204 - Biochemistry or  BIOL 205 - Cell Biology BIOL 221 – Molecular Biology and Genetics PHYS 280 – Physical Models of Biological Systems (or PHYS 580) PHYS 401 – Statistical Mechanics and Thermodynamics

Two additional courses drawn from the following list:

• PHYS 351 – Analytical Mechanics
• PHYS 364 – Electronics Laboratory
• PHYS 421 – Modern Optics
• PHYS 580 – Biological Physics
• PHYS 582 – Medical Radiation Engineering
• PHYS 585 – Theoretical and Computational Neuroscience
• Any BIOL course numbered 200 or higher
• CHEM 251 – Principles of Biological Chemistry
• CHEM 451 – Biological Chemistry I
• CHEM 452 – Biological Chemistry II
• BE 480 – Introduction to Biomedical Imaging
• CIS 537 (BE 537) – Biomedical Image Analysis
• MATH 584 – Mathematics of Medical Imaging and Measurement

Students may propose a relevant course not on this list as an elective by consulting the Undergraduate Chair before taking the class.

Example Curriculum for the proposed Physics Major with a Concentration in Biological Science:

The combination of PHYS 580 and PHYS 585 would provide a solid grounding in concepts of computational neuroscience.

Other suggested coupled electives:

• PHYS 500, BE 480, BE 537 would provide a very strong background in biomedical imaging.
• BIOL 536 Computational Biology and BIOL 537 Advanced Computational Biology.
• BIOL 436 Molecular Physiology and BIOL 410 Advanced Evolution

The department encourages students to enter the honors program. This program augments the regular major with the requirement (2 additional credits) that the student plan and carry out an individualized research project under the guidance of a faculty member. Research experience of this kind is invaluable to a future scientist: research is very different from course work, in that the latter is well-defined and bounded, while the former requires careful pre-planning on the part of the student and always involves an interesting element of risk.

To graduate with honors in physics, a student must achieve a GPA of at least 3.3 in major-related courses, must enroll for an additional 2 c.u. of Physics 4498 Senior Thesis Research (PHYS 5598 if you are submatriculating), and must write a thesis describing his or her research. The addition of these two courses means that the minimum requirement increases by 2 c.u., e.g. depending on the concentration from 17 1/2 c.u.  to 19 1/2 c.u.

The honors program, which is a way of completing the degree in Physics, should not be confused with honors courses, which are accelerated courses in physics for ambitious students. Students hoping for a general honors degree need to take a certain number of honors courses; for more information you should talk to advisors in the College Advising Office. You do not need to be a physics honors major to take the honors courses (although many choose to do so) and you do not need to take the honors courses to be an honor major.

Advanced students may enroll in the Physics submatriculation program.  A total of 8 courses are required for the Master of Science (MS) degree.

All 8 courses must be at the pure graduate level.  Specifically, the requirements are a) 2 from the core grad courses PHYS5500/5516/5531/5532/6611 (PHYS500/516/531/532/611) with a B or better in each course, b) 2 PHYS/ASTR 500+ level courses, c) 4 electives, which can include relevant non-PHYS/ASTR courses as well as 2 credits for the Senior Honors Thesis.  College students can also use up to 4 of these courses as a  College electives  - i.e., the minimum cu requirement for the BA+MS is 40 rather than 44.  Students must apply during the Fall of their junior year between October and December when the graduate application opens.

Students must achieve a minimum GPA of 3.0 in their master's courses.  The application form from can be picked up from the Physics Academic Office on the 2nd floor of DRL (or can be emailed to you electronically).  Courses must be approved by both the undergraduate chair and the graduate chair.

Physics majors are strongly encouraged to take elective courses in physics, astronomy, mathematics, chemistry, or other sciences. The department offers mixed undergraduate and graduate courses in modern optics, condensed matter physics, and nuclear and elementary particle physics, special and general relativity, and astrophysics . And for the really ambitious student, there is the entire set of first-year graduate courses from which to choose. Many students take a course in computer programming (often CSE 110 or ESE 115) or in numerical methods using computers (e.g., Mathematics 320 and 321). Students with a theoretical bent frequently take electives in mathematics. Majors planning a career in the health professions must take courses in chemistry and biology; such students should consult a health professions advisor for advice on the specific courses required by the professional schools.

Pennsylvania is a research university. Physics majors are encouraged to participate in this aspect of the department's activities.

Apart from the individual research done as part of the honors program, students can carry out supervised research projects under the rubric of Physics and Astronomy 299 and 499 . Other students gain valuable research experience participating in summer internships at Penn or other universities and research programs at national facilities and laboratories. Click here for a description of faculty research interests.

In order to receive permission to register for PHYS 299 (independent study) or PHYS 499 (dissertation), students must submit a mini-proposal of estimated length 2-4 pages, including figures and reference s. The "target audience" of the mini-proposal should be a trained physicist who may not be an expert in the specific field of research. This mini-proposal should contain the following elements:

• Title of the Project
• Objective and Significance: what is the primary objective of your project and why is it important?
• Background and Preliminary Results: background information on the field, also preliminary results from student's own work and/or work done in student advisor's lab. The point is to demonstrate that the student has identified is a realistic goal.
• Work Plan: a description of the methods the student will use and sub-projects that will be undertaken in order to attain primary objectives.
• Cited References

At the end of the semester, the student must turn in a final report (or thesis if this is the conclusion of an Honors Project). The estimated length of a final report is 5-10 pages, while a thesis could be substantially longer. The "target audience" is again a trained physicist who may not be an expert in the specific field of research. The report should cover the following:

• Project Title
• Abstract, which should include a summary of the major findings of the work
• Objective and Significance
• Background and state of knowledge before the project started
• Summary of the methods used in the project
• Major findings, results and analysi
• Summary including a discussion of important areas and questions for future research projects.

The Department of Physics and Astronomy endeavors to provide a variety of informal opportunities for undergraduates to acquaint themselves with aspects of current research. For lack of a better term we dub these activities the "informal curriculum." Included in this category are Physics Club activities, departmental colloquia and seminars, and similar activities. The Departmental Colloquium (held nearly every Wednesday) is a forum in which speakers present aspects of their research at a level usually intelligible to advanced undergraduates. The Undergraduate Physics Club sponsors a number of activities, including lectures and discussions, field trips, and other events, specifically addressed to undergraduates. And at the "first-year seminar," a lecture series designed to acquaint graduate students with the various opportunities for thesis research in the department, undergraduates can gain insight into current research interests and problems.

Minor Program

The Physics minor consists of any 6 Physics courses (not units, but courses). No more than two of these can be at the 100 (introductory) level. A recommended minor is Physics 150, 151, 230, 250 and TWO advanced course at the 300 level or above. This program provides an introduction to physics through the 100 level courses, a full survey of the field through the 200 level courses, and advanced training in at least one area through the advanced course. Students may propose other minor programs to be approved by the undergraduate chair (e.g. replacing 200 level courses by more advanced courses.)

It is possible to pursue a major in physics simultaneously with a major in geology, engineering, mathematics, or other subjects. Interested students should consult the undergraduate chair.

You should contact our undergraduate chair Eleni Katifori after meeting with your pre-major advisor.

Master of Science in Medical Physics

Students also have the opportunity to do part-time clinical work in the University of Pennsylvania Health System to gain relevant clinical experience while earning an hourly wage.

The master's curriculum integrates theory, research, cutting-edge clinical application, and medical ethics training to prepare you for a career as an innovative leader in medical physics. As you learn new theories and techniques, you put them into practice at our world-class medical facilities.

As you become more familiar with the diverse branches of medical physics available, you have the opportunity to follow your interests and explore your passion further by focusing your coursework in a subspecialty of medical physics and completing a year-long, faculty-mentored research project.

The master's degree is 15-course units (CUs)* at the graduate level. Part-time study is possible. The program is typically completed full-time in two academic years and one summer term:

**Choose either course to fulfill academic requirement

Program Highlights

Professional development and career mentoring.

Our unique  Professional Development Seminar course is a required, year-long, non-credit series of presentations and panel discussions designed to prepare you for success as a medical physicist .  It introduces you to the subspecialties of medical physics:  radiation oncology, diagnostic imaging, nuclear medicine, and medical health physics. Our scholars and practitioners of medical physics discuss possible career paths, new treatments and devices, and other topics from the front lines of the medical physics world. It introduces you to ideas and possibilities beyond the scope of your classes and creates the possibility for networking and finding your ideal career direction. 

The Professional Development Seminar also prepares all our students for success in the medical physics residency application and match process. Students learn from faculty and medical physics residents how to assemble an impressive application for residency including an effective resume / CV, selection of references, and compelling personal statement. We provide tips to master the residency interview process and connect students with program alumni who provide further insight during the interview process. 

The course also helps you to develop the professional skills and competencies you need as a medical physicist.  You learn best practices to work productively on teams; communicate effectively with doctors, patients, and administrators; write scientific abstracts; give oral presentations; and hone leadership skills. We provide advice on how to strategically approach the American Board of Radiology Part I Exam. Our series also features networking events with program alumni, faculty, and staff to further your involvement with our medical physics community.

Through our Career Mentor Program , each incoming student is paired with a faculty or staff physicist from the Department of Radiation Oncology who will offer career advice, provide feedback on your residency or graduate school application, and conduct a practice interview during your time in the program.

Clinical Practicum

Thesis 

There are a variety of opportunities based on the incredible resources available at Penn.  Sample student projects include:

• Improvements in fluorescent imaging of tumors
• Impact analysis of anatomical shifts in proton therapy
• Characterizing a phosphor-based optical fiber scintillator for use in dosimetry
• Optimizing radiation planning for glioblastoma through multi-modality MRI analysis and machine learning
• Validation and development of diffuse tensor imaging (DTI) methods for patients receiving skull base and brain radiation
• Neutron dosimetry: classifying scattered neutron dose during proton therapy
• Single angle DRR matching (2D) for SBRT alignment verification
• Virtual patient-specific proton QA

We encourage students to publish their research results and present findings at professional conferences, and we provide financial support with small travel grants. Students have been selected to give oral or poster presentations at:

• American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM) Annual Meeting
• American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM) - Delaware Valley Chapter
• American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology (ASTRO) Annual Meeting
• International Union for Physical and Engineering Sciences in Medicine (IUPSEM) World Congress
• Particle Therapy Co-Operative Group (PTCOG) Annual Conference
• Society for Nuclear Medicine and Medical Imaging (SNMMI) Conference
• International Symposium Stereotactic Radiosurgery/Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SRS/SBRT)

Elective Courses 

The elective courses are an opportunity for you to bolster your learning in the area of your particular clinical concentration, or perhaps broaden your scope to include and explore a new subject. Choices may include:

• Data Science
• Artificial Intelligence
• Machine Learning
• Biostatistics
• Molecular Imaging
• Biological Physics
• Cancer Biology
• MRI Techniques
• Quantitative Image Analysis
• Independent research study or clinical project
• Other courses as approved by the Program Director

* A CU (or a fraction of a CU) represents different types of academic work across different types of academic programs and is the basic unit of progress toward a degree. One course unit (CU) is typically equivalent to 3 credits at another institution.

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Cinema and Media Studies, PhD

The Department offers a full-time Ph.D. program. Comprehensive in the range of specializations, the program is intellectually dynamic and rigorous. Our Ph.D. program prepares students for full participation in the profession as scholars and teachers of Cinema and Media Studies, broadly conceived.  The Ph.D. provides students with training in a variety of global and comparative approaches to studying diverse national cinemas and a variety of media institutions and art practices. We are committed to an advanced humanities education to address our shared need to be able to think historically and critically about the structures, operations, ethics, aesthetics, and interactions of cinema and media.    Our departmental ethos reflects our commitment to fostering an inclusive environment that is at once rigorous and nurturing. We expect our graduate students to be full members of the Department and encourage them to take an active role in the intellectual and social community of the University by attending colloquia, screenings, roundtables, discussions, and events in the Department as well as across campus.

Required Courses

The total number of course units required is 16. 

Teaching Requirement

Four semesters of teaching are required.

Language Requirement

In addition to a command of English, students must demonstrate reading knowledge in a minimum of one research language relevant to the particular subfield being studied. More languages may be required by the proposed field of study, and the program strongly encourages multiple language acquisition. The specific languages required for each student will be determined by the student and the student’s faculty advisor in consultation with the Graduate Chair. As Digital Humanities is becoming such a large part of our new department, we will also consider programming languages as needed.

Qualifications Evaluation

At the end of the second year, students will select one paper from those they have written in their first year of study, substantially developing it over the course of two further semesters in dialogue with their advisor and two additional members of the Graduate Group. This group of three faculty members constitutes the Qualifications Examination Committee. Students will work on the paper throughout the first semester of their second year. In the spring semester of their second year, the student will present their paper to the committee, followed by a discussion. The Qualifications Exam assesses a student’s ability to write a coherent research paper of publishable quality. The student’s grade (High Pass/Pass/Fail) will be recorded, and both the student and the SAS Graduate Division will be notified of the outcome of the evaluation.

The field exam is a two-hour oral exam, which will take place at the end of the fall semester of the student’s third year. It consists of questions about the student’s lists, fields, and write-ups. The student will be given these questions in the form of two separate closed-book three-hour exams that will be taken a week apart from each other. The Fields Committee will then meet with the candidate to discuss the written answers and offer feedback.

Candidacy Examination

A Ph.D. Candidacy Examination will be held after the candidate has completed all required coursework, including language requirements and attendance at the CIMS colloquium. The candidacy exam, which will be both oral and written, entails the successful defense of a Dissertation Proposal with the Dissertation Committee. The Dissertation Committee will meet with the student to discuss the proposal for a two-hour session sometime in mid- spring semester of the third year. Feedback will be provided to the student and the student may be asked to make revisions to the proposal. The final version of the dissertation proposal must be submitted by the last day of classes of the Spring semester.

Dissertation Defense

Upon completion of the dissertation, students will present an overview of their research project to faculty and peers. This presentation will be followed by a closed conversation among the student, the dissertation committee (who will have received the complete dissertation several weeks earlier), and the graduate chair. This will allow faculty members formally to evaluate the project formally and to give feedback on how to develop the project in the future.

The degree and major requirements displayed are intended as a guide for students entering in the Fall of 2024 and later. Students should consult with their academic program regarding final certifications and requirements for graduation.

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Center for Soft and Living Matter

At the university of pennsylvania, theoretical soft matter physics group meeting: “gastrovascular network flow models in jellyfish” (paheli desai-chowdhry).

Title : Gastrovascular network flow models in Jellyfish

Abstract : Jellyfish are interesting sea creatures that provide insight into the evolution of cardiovascular networks; while complex organisms such as mammals are characterized by a centralized heart that allows the distribution of resources in the body through pulsatile pumping, jellyfish lack such a centralization. However, they also have complex vascular structures, with gastrovascular canals that extend throughout their bodies from their open mouths to their stomach pouches and back in 4-fold symmetrical fractal branching patterns that increase in complexity as they age and develop. Flow through these networks is generated through swimming motion, involving a muscle contraction leading to deformations of these canal networks. Here, we build a mathematical model using principles from fluid dynamics and network theory to simulate the flow through these networks during contraction, looking at three different variations of swimming motions. Future directions include comparing the flow generated through simulation to experimental data, increasing the biological accuracy and complexity of the model, and incorporating the effects of cilia on the flow in our model. 

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Congratulations to Steven Blaber, who is the winner of a Graduate Dean's Medal for 2024!

For his PhD, Dr. Steven Blaber studied energetically efficient control of stochastic thermodynamic systems. This emerging field examines the thermodynamics of micro- and nano-scale systems, like the many tiny machines that transport cargo and store energy within living cells. Supported by the Graduate Dean’s Entrance Scholarship, he has made several significant contributions to advance our theoretical understanding of these molecular machines. Steven now applies the tools and techniques learned at SFU in his work as a postdoctoral scholar at UBC, studying amorphous mirror coatings for future generations of gravitational wave detectors.

The Graduate Dean's Medal recognizes graduating students from each faculty whose cumulative grade point average places them in the top five percent of their class.

The Faculty of Science Ceremony will take place on June 13, 2024.  See all Graduate Convocation Medal Award Winners for 2024 .

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Lonergan on the Edge Graduate Student Conference 2024

Lonergan, Human Dignity & Culture - Lonergan on the Edge Graduate Student Conference 2024

at Marquette University, held Friday September 13th and Saturday September 14th, 2024 in Milwaukee, WI

Call for Papers:

Amid the so-called "culture wars" of politics, post-colonialism, globalization, multiculturalism, dehumanization, and the ideological debates at all levels of society, what can Lonergan's philosophy and theology contribute to these cultural clashes? For this year's Lonergan on the Edge Graduate Student Conference, we invite abstracts of no more than 500 words that explore the topics of culture and human dignity in Lonergan's theology, philosophy, and economics.

Submit your MS Word or PDF proposal as a one-page, double-spaced abstract prepared for blind review (i.e. no name on the proposal itself). Only one submission per student will be accepted. Regular paper presentations will be 30 minutes: 20 for presentation, 10 for Q&A.

Special consideration will be given to proposals that address this year's theme, though other proposals in Lonergan studies will also be considered.

Submission deadline: 31 July 2024

Please submit your proposed abstract to  [email protected]

Accepted proposals will be notified in early August.

All are welcome to attend, but we request proposals from current or recent (within the last five years) graduate students who have not yet received a Ph.D. We are also accepting panel proposals from groups of 2-3 students. If considering a panel, please indicate the panel theme and submit proposals together, following the blind review guidelines.

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DePaul University Newsline > Sections > Campus and Community > Math and physics major strives to be of service to others

Math and physics major strives to be of service to others

Joshua chis discusses his experience as a first-generation student.

By Paige Gilberg / June 3, 2024 / Posted in: CAMPUS AND COMMUNITY / Twitter / Facebook

What was the beginning of your DePaul journey like? 

What are your research interests , how have you connected with the university community during your time here , what does depaul’s vincentian mission mean to you , what do you plan to do next , what advice do you have for incoming students .

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PhD Position in Theoretical Physics, Vienna

• by hyperspace_bot
• 2024/06/04 2024/06/04

We are looking for a M.Sc. in theoretical physics. The prospective PhD candidate should have a background in quantum field theory, general relativity and cosmology as can be obtained in typical introductory courses for master students. He or she should be enthusiastic about doing a PhD thesis in a collaborative team consisting of theoretical and experimental physicists of the Atominstitut. This 3-year PhD position will be in the theory group of Mario Pitschmann, which focuses on the search for dark energy and dark matter by using high-precision tabletop experiments.

The candidate should be self-driven, talented and a team player. Please provide the following: two letters of recommendation (one from the supervisor of the master thesis), CV, electronic copy (e.g. PDF) of the master thesis.

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