physics phd york

Welcome to the home of Physics, Astronomy & Biophysics at York

At York University, we offer a broad mix of experimental, theoretical, and computational experiences in Physics , Astronomy , and Biophysics at both undergraduate (B.Sc.) and graduate (M.Sc. and Ph.D.) levels in a research-intensive environment.

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PAGE Conference 2024

The Physics and Astronomy Graduate Executive (PAGE) invites all Department community members to the annual PAGE Graduate Student Conference:  Tuesday June 25, 2024 in Room 103 of the Life Sciences Building (LSB 103) from 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM.   In addition to the conference, a public speaking workshop by Prof. Sarah Rugheimer is scheduled forJune 20.   For more info including registration to give a talk at the conference, see this link .

Student Spotlight

Undergraduate

York students work in modern laboratories and can join research projects with leading professors.

York graduate students can study cutting-edge physics topics like dark matter and dark energy.

Professor Adam Muzzin studies the formation of galaxies. Hear his story at the link above!

Professor Chris Bergevin studies the biophysics of hearing. Learn more at the link above!

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University of York

In less than 50 years, York has become one of the top ten universities in the UK for teaching and research – and is ranked in the top 100 universities in the world. There are now over 30 academic departments and research centres and the student body has expanded to 13,000. Underpinning York''s excellent reputation is a friendly and welcoming campus, strengthened by our collegiate system which encourages inclusivity and a valuable sense of community. Our prime location, in a beautiful landscaped park, within easy reach of the historic city of York, has positioned the University as a world-class destination in which to work and study. Several departments are located in the city centre at the King''s Manor in Grade 2 listed buildings, and since 2000 York has added 20 new buildings to its Heslington West campus. Meanwhile, sustainability is key to the University''s ambitious campus expansion at Heslington East. This stunning development, which is nearing completion of phase one, will increase our capacity for student numbers, drive up research income and provide more world-class facilities for the 21st century.

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Welcome to the Graduate Program in Physics & Astronomy

Master of science (msc), doctor of philosophy (phd).

The program is recognized for offering students invaluable research opportunities through its affiliation with important international endeavours. Students perform experimental/observational or theoretical/computational research in mainstream areas of physics and astronomy. The program offers excellent facilities, first-rate professors and close connections to interdisciplinary centres at York in fields such as Atmospheric Chemistry, Earth & Space Science, Mass Spectrometry and Vision Research.

Students perform experimental/observational or theoretical/computational research in mainstream areas of physics and astronomy or are offered the unique opportunity to undertake interdisciplinary projects through collaboration in a number of research centres.

ENGAGE IN THE STUDY OF THE PHYSICS OR ASTRONOMY AT YORK

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Physics & Astronomy at a Glance

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Atomic, Molecular, and Optical Physics

Biological Physics

Chemical and Condensed Matter Physics

High Energy and Particle Physics

Planetary Physics

Experimental Research

Theoretical Research

Computational Research

Featured Faculty

Sampa Bhadra

Research Interests

René Fournier

Climate Action, Responsible Consumption and Production

Nanosatellite technologies, Space object tracking

Siu-Ning Leung

Biobased materials, Micro-and-nanostructuring, Multifunctional materials. Nanocellular Foams Nanocomposites, Properties and simulation of multifunctional material systems, Sustainable energy

The Graduate Program in Physics & Astronomy at York is an exciting environment to pursue innovative, socially engaging, career-ready education. Contact our Graduate Program Assistant to learn more.

Connect with Physics & Astronomy

Graduate Admissions

Physics & astronomy.

Students perform experimental/observational or theoretical/computational research in mainstream areas of physics and astronomy, or are offered the unique opportunity to undertake interdisciplinary projects through collaboration in a number of research centres.

You'll benefit from excellent facilities, a high-calibre of professors — including Canada and York Research Chairs — and close connections to interdisciplinary centres at York in fields such as Atmospheric Chemistry, Earth & Space Science, Mass Spectrometry and Vision Research.

The program is recognized for offering students invaluable research opportunities through its affiliation with important international endeavours including: the space-borne Gravity Probe B mission developed by NASA and Stanford University; the ATLAS detector in the LHC accelerator ring at CERN, in Geneva, Switzerland; and the international ALPHA and ATRAP collaborations, which are exploring the physics of antimatter through their work with cold antihydrogen atoms at CERN.

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Degrees Offered

Program length (full-time), program component(s).

• Course work only

Minimum Required GPA

Deadline - fall (full-time applicants only), winter entry, deadline - winter (full-time applicants only), summer entry, deadline - summer (full-time applicants only), english proficiency requirement.

Duolingo scores are accepted for Summer 2021, Fall 2021 and Winter 2022 entry only.

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Ways to connect with the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Program Supports

Have a program-related question.

Contact the graduate program assistant: yorku.ca/gradstudies/program-contacts/

Have an admission related question? Contact the Graduate Admissions Team

By phone: 416-872-9675

By email:   [email protected]

Upcoming graduate webinars/in-person events for Future Students: futurestudents.yorku.ca/events/graduate

York University Office of Admissions Bennett Centre for Student Services 99 Ian Macdonald Blvd Toronto, ON M3J 1P3 CANADA 

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Physics Graduate Programs in New York

1-25 of 25 results

Cornell University College of Arts & Sciences

• Ithaca, NY ·
• Cornell University ·
• Graduate School

Cornell University ,

Graduate School ,

ITHACA, NY ,

Graduate School of Arts & Sciences - New York University

• New York, NY ·
• New York University ·
• · Rating 4.8 out of 5   10 reviews

New York University ,

NEW YORK, NY ,

10 Niche users give it an average review of 4.8 stars.

Featured Review: Master's Student says I am enrolled specifically in the Magazine concentration. My professors have all been helpful with helping me succeed and are willing to stay back to go over something I don't understand. There are... .

Read 10 reviews.

Tisch School of the Arts

• · Rating 4.75 out of 5   8 reviews

8 Niche users give it an average review of 4.8 stars.

Featured Review: Alum says My experience at NYU Tisch School of the Arts in Film/TV as a New Yorker born and raised was absolutely exhilarating. From the moment I set foot in Greenwich Village, I could feel the creative energy... Choosing NYU Tisch was a no-brainer for me. It's often dubbed the "Harvard of Film and TV schools," renowned for its prestigious programs and esteemed faculty. NYU Tisch not only equipped me with the skills and knowledge to thrive in the competitive world of film and television but also instilled in me a profound sense of confidence and purpose as I... .

Read 8 reviews.

Mississippi State University College of Arts and Sciences

• Mississippi State University ·
• Graduate School ·
• MISSISSIPPI STATE, MS

Lam Family College of Business

• San Francisco State University ·
• SAN FRANCISCO, CA
• · Rating 3.67 out of 5   3

School of Health Sciences - Russell Sage College

• Russell Sage College ·

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute School of Science

• Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute ·

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute ,

College of Arts, Sciences, and Engineering - University of Rochester

• Rochester, NY ·
• University of Rochester ·
• · Rating 4 out of 5   2 reviews

Blue checkmark.

University of Rochester ,

ROCHESTER, NY ,

2 Niche users give it an average review of 4 stars.

Featured Review: Alum says The Optics program is the toughest offered at the school. Optics grads do twice as much (60 credit hours instead of 30) class work as other degrees. You learn a ton! The field is so diverse you can... .

Read 2 reviews.

College of Arts and Sciences - Syracuse University

• Syracuse, NY ·
• Syracuse University ·
• · Rating 5 out of 5   2 reviews

Syracuse University ,

SYRACUSE, NY ,

2 Niche users give it an average review of 5 stars.

Featured Review: Master's Student says The speech-language pathology program at Syracuse university is ranked very high among graduate programs in New York State. It is clear that the professors are very knowledgeable and provide... This program can be very demanding at times and requires students to put in a lot of work in the clinical and classroom settings. The main campus at Syracuse is very nice, however, the building for... .

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College of Arts and Sciences - University at Buffalo, SUNY

• Buffalo, NY ·
• University at Buffalo, SUNY ·
• · Rating 3 out of 5   2 reviews

University at Buffalo, SUNY ,

BUFFALO, NY ,

2 Niche users give it an average review of 3 stars.

Featured Review: Doctoral Student says All of the professors are very accommodating and want to help you succeed. They help you in any way they can and make sure you understand different topics before moving on to something different! .

Harpur College of Arts and Sciences

• Binghamton, NY ·
• Binghamton University, SUNY ·
• · Rating 4.25 out of 5   4 reviews

Binghamton University, SUNY ,

BINGHAMTON, NY ,

4 Niche users give it an average review of 4.3 stars.

Featured Review: Master's Student says The coursework was fun. I learned things I had never heard about. The professors are very knowledgeable and also ready and willing to help the younger generation type of student. THis is a new... .

Read 4 reviews.

School of Arts & Sciences - Clarkson University

• Potsdam, NY ·
• Clarkson University ·

Clarkson University ,

POTSDAM, NY ,

College of Arts and Sciences - Stony Brook University, SUNY

• Stony Brook, NY ·
• Stony Brook University, SUNY ·
• · Rating 3 out of 5   3 reviews

Stony Brook University, SUNY ,

STONY BROOK, NY ,

3 Niche users give it an average review of 3 stars.

Featured Review: Doctoral Student says In the Physics Department, the classes are wide-ranging and generally well taught. They are challenging and require the amount of effort expected of a very good graduate education. However, the... Many students wish to do research in String Theory, but there is little funding available and many students are admitted. Funding in most other areas of the department are adequate enough that most... .

Read 3 reviews.

College of Arts and Sciences - University at Albany, SUNY

• Albany, NY ·
• University at Albany, SUNY ·

University at Albany, SUNY ,

ALBANY, NY ,

Featured Review: Doctoral Student says At University at Albany, I've received excellent support from my mentors and the freedom to explore my own interests within the scope of my lab's overall goals. In areas where I'm weakest, I've been... There's not much I can say about the graduate community (COVID-19). I am delighted to be a grad student at UAlbany. .

CUNY Brooklyn College School of Natural and Behavioral Sciences

• Brooklyn, NY ·
• CUNY Brooklyn College ·

CUNY Brooklyn College ,

BROOKLYN, NY ,

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• Optics Graduate Programs
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CUNY Queens College School of Math and Natural Science

• Queens, NY ·
• CUNY Queens College ·
• · Rating 1 out of 5   1 review

CUNY Queens College ,

QUEENS, NY ,

1 Niche users give it an average review of 1 stars.

Read 1 reviews.

Division of Science - CUNY City College of New York

• CUNY City College of New York ·

CUNY City College of New York ,

School of Arts and Sciences - CUNY Hunter College

• CUNY Hunter College ·
• · Rating 5 out of 5   5 reviews

CUNY Hunter College ,

5 Niche users give it an average review of 5 stars.

Featured Review: Master's Student says The teachers are highly engaged with student development but are working filmmakers themselves which is not only inspiring but so helpful for the quality of our education. .

Read 5 reviews.

School of Natural and Social Sciences - SUNY Buffalo State University

• SUNY Buffalo State University ·

SUNY Buffalo State University ,

The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science

• Columbia University ·
• · Rating 4.71 out of 5   7 reviews

Columbia University ,

7 Niche users give it an average review of 4.7 stars.

Featured Review: Master's Student says I visited the Mechanical Engineering department on campus during an Admitted Student event. The whole experience was wonderful as I was able to learn more about the program from current professors.... .

Read 7 reviews.

The CUNY School of Professional Studies

• CUNY Graduate School & University Center ·
• · Rating 4.61 out of 5   23 reviews

CUNY Graduate School & University Center ,

23 Niche users give it an average review of 4.6 stars.

Featured Review: Master's Student says I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at CUNY. The Applied Theatre Program can feel like a step child in the school but all in all, its been wonderful. The instructors are insightful and engaging. My... .

Read 23 reviews.

CUNY Queens College Aaron Copland School of Music

• · Rating 5 out of 5   1 review

1 Niche users give it an average review of 5 stars.

Featured Review: Other says Aaron Copland School of music has the best faculty and program. The quality of the education is extraordinarily high and you can experience virtually all areas of music field in one school. .

CUNY Queens College Graduate School of Library and Information Studies

• · Rating 4.5 out of 5   2 reviews

2 Niche users give it an average review of 4.5 stars.

Featured Review: Master's Student says I really enjoyed the dual degree program I was in at Queens College. The professors were engaging and truly cared about the students. I appreciated the swift switch to online courses in the midst of... The main concerns that I had with the program was the lack of communication between students and faculty. Students concerns were dealt with but not in an appropriate and reasonable timeframe. .

CUNY Queens College School of Business

Cuny queens college school of earth and environmental sciences, golisano institute for sustainability - rochester institute of technology.

• Rochester Institute of Technology ·

Rochester Institute of Technology ,

Lewis School of Health Sciences

School of individualized study - rochester institute of technology.

College of Arts and Sciences - University of Wyoming

• University of Wyoming ·
• LARAMIE, WY
• · Rating 5 out of 5   4

SUNY Plattsburgh School of Arts and Sciences

• SUNY Plattsburgh ·
• PLATTSBURGH, NY

University of North Texas

• · Rating 4.6 out of 5   134

Showing results 1 through 25 of 25

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Physics, often said to be the most fundamental of all the sciences, deals with the constituents, properties, and evolution of the entire universe, on all length and time scales.

The Department of Applied Physics is dedicated to educating each new generation and preparing them to explore the practical uses and applications of physics.

If you’re interested in bridging the gap between pure physics and engineering and learning how knowledge of condensed matter and quantum mechanics are changing the world, Applied Physics might be the course of study for you.

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Doctoral Program

The city university of new york and the city college of new york.

City College offers extensive research facilities for experimental and theoretical research.  In addition, Ph.D. students gain experience as teaching assistants, as research presenters, and as participants in conferences and on committees. 

PHYSICS DOCTORAL GRADUATES ◊ AY 2018-2019

Listed below are the recipients of joint degrees with The City University of New York and The City College of New York of the Ph.D. in Physics, their dissertation titles and their respective advisors. September 2018 Degree Kate Burleson-Lesser Prof. Hernán A. Makse, Physics, Levich Institute, City College of New York CUNY A Network Theoretical Approach to Real-world Problems: Application of the K-Core Algorithm to Various Systems Amol A. Deshmukh Assoc. Prof. Brian Tiburzi, Physics, City College of New York CUNY Baryons and Interactions in Magnetic Fields Jacob D. Henshaw Prof. Carlos A. Meriles, Physics, City College of New York CUNY Charge State Dynamics and Quantum Sensing with Defects in Diamond

Jesse S. Kanter Prof. Sergey A. Vitkalov, Physics, City College of New York CUNY Quantum and Classical Transport of 2D Electrons in the Presence of Long and Short Range Disorder

Shaojun Luo Prof. Hernán A. Makse, Physics, Levich Institute, City College of New York CUNY Interdisciplinary Studies of Complex Network and Machine Learning and its Applications Peter J. Schnatz Assoc. Prof. Ronald L. Koder, Physics, City College of New York CUNY Supercharged Models of Intrinsically Disordered Proteins and their Utility in Sensing

Qing Zhang Dist. Prof. Myriam P. Sarachik, Physics, City College of New York CUNY Direct Experimental Evidence of Toroidal Symmetry in a Lanthanum-Based Molecular Magnet

February 2019 Degree   Rahul R. Deshmukh Prof. Vinod M. Menon, Physics, City College of New York CUNY Control of Energy Transfer and Molecular Energetics using Photonic Nanostructures Nicholas V. Proscia Prof. Vinod M. Menon, Physics, City College of New York CUNY Control of Light-matter Interactions via Nanostructured Photonic Materials

May 2019 Degree Xiang Ni Assoc. Prof. Alexander B. Khanikaev, Electrical Engineering, City College of New York CUNY Topological Insulating States in Photonics and Acoustics 

For earlier Ph.D. recipients, please see the archive.

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CUNY GRADUATE CENTER ADMISSIONS/APPLICATIONS

CUNY GRADUATE CENTER PHYSICS PROGRAM

SAMPLE FIRST EXAMS CCNY PHYSICS MENTORS, LABS, RESEARCH SPECIALTIES

[email protected] Assistant Program Officer   Graduate Center, Room 4317 365 Fifth Ave., New York, NY Phone: 212-817-8650 (Office)

ASRC, The City University of New York, and Center for Discovery and Innovation, The City College of New York

Last Updated: 07/11/2019 12:55

• Department of Physics >
• Graduate >
• Graduate Overview >

PhD in Physics

Every PhD in Physics recipient is expected to acquire:

• Comprehensive understanding of core physics principles in the subjects of classical mechanics; electrodynamics; statistical mechanics; and quantum mechanics; and in-depth knowledge in the area of doctoral research
• Broad knowledge of contemporary physics developments
• Independent research skills in formulating and solving original physics problems
• Strong oral and written communication skills

Students must earn a minimum of 30 credit hours in formal graduate courses approved by the Department of Physics. Courses in PHY 598, PHY 599, and all PHY 600 level courses do not count toward this requirement. Students must maintain an overall GPA minimum of 3.0 (equivalent to a grade of "B") for all courses leading to the degree.

The UB College of Arts and Sciences is committed to recruiting the very best PhD students and preparing doctoral students for career success. 

Minimum Course Requirements

All PhD candidates must take and pass the following graduate courses with an average grade equivalent to "B" or higher:

• Classical Dynamics (PHY 509)
• Electrodynamics (PHY 513)
• Quantum Mechanics I and II (PHY 507, 508)
• Statistical Mechanics (PHY 519)
• Graduate Lab (PHY 551 or 552)

Of the remaining 12 required credits, student may take only graduate level courses. The following two courses are required:

• Colloquium (PHY 601 1st year and PHY 602 2nd year)
• Research Ethics

PHY 503 and 504, as well as any undergraduate courses taken for graduate credits, are excluded.  Students who must take remedial or undergraduate courses during the first two semesters will require more than two years to complete their course work.  

Comprehensive Exam

Within 24 months (four semesters) of enrollment as a full-time graduate student, every student in the PhD track is required to pass the Comprehensive Examination. Students are permitted a maximum of two attempts.

The Comprehensive Examination consists of a written reseach proposal, a research presentation and an oral examination on research and course preparation (Sample questions on High Energy Physics ,  Condensed Matter Physics ) . For further details please see the  Graduate Physics Handbook.

Thesis Committee Composition

Students must choose their Major Professor and PhD committee members by filling out the  Thesis Advisor Form  no later than 24 months after enrollment in the graduate program. The Major Professor (or one of the co-Major Professors) must be a regular faculty member in the Department of Physics. The Major Professor must also be a member of the Graduate School Faculty who holds the rank of Assistant Professor or higher. Failure to choose an advisor may result in losing Departmental financial support.

The PhD Committee should consist of two or more faculty members (in addition to the Major Professor) chosen by the student with approval from the Graduate Studies Committee. All committee members should demonstrate active engagement in research during the last five years. When possible, at least one committee member should work in a field or research similar or relevant to the student's thesis topic. Faculty from other UB departments may also serve on the committee. The same criteria regarding research apply for the selection of committee members outside the Department of Physics.

For further information, please consult the  Graduate Student Handbook  or contact Dr. Priya Banerjee , Director of Graduate Studies. 

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Department of Physics and Astronomy

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 The Ph.D. Degree

Completing a Ph.D. in Physics or Astronomy is a  significant challenge, not only because of the large amount of intellectual and emotional effort, but also because of the many requirements

  The learning goals for the PhD degree are as follows:

• Should have mastered core physics and should be familiar with areas of physics outside their research specialty.
• Should be able to think independently and have acquired critical reasoning skills.
• Should be an expert in their research specialty and have demonstrated the ability to conduct original research.
• Should be able to communicate research results to an audience of physicists.

Requirements

Our program has 3 defined tracks to a Ph.D. Most students will follow the  Default Track , but there are also the options of a  Ph.D. Degree with Concentration in Astronomy  and a  Ph.D. Degree with Concentration in Physical Biology ,  which have modified requirements from the  Default Track . We will begin by discussing the requirements of the  Default Track and later specifying how the requirements for the other two trracks differ.

Default Track to a Ph.D. Degree in Physics

The requirements for the Ph.D. Degree are  are presented in the flow chart below. The discussion below is divided into three major sections: 1) required courses, 2) exams, and 3) thesis research. Only courses with a grade B or better are counted towards the Ph.D. degree.

Core Courses

One of the requirements for advancement to candidacy is demonstration of command of four core areas of physics: Classical Mechanics (PHY 501), Electricity and Magnetism (PHY 505), Quantum Mechanics (PHY 511/512) and Statistical Mechanics and Thermodynamics (PHY 540). If a student already successfully passed similar courses elsewhere a student can fulfill the course requirments of one or more of these core courses by taking advanced graduate courses (subject to approval by an Advising Committee appointed by the Graduate Program Director). If that is not the case you can still skip these courses by a sufficiently good performance in the corresponding parts of a placement examination given during the beginning of the Fall semester.   (2nd year students and beyond need permission from the Graduate Program Director).   Most students take the core courses during their first year.

PHY 598 and 599 are required of all Ph.D., M.S.I. and M.A. students. Almost everybody should take them during their first two semesters at Stony Brook as they provide a good way to get acquainted with the department. The two courses cover different areas of physics, and they can be taken in any order.

Other Required Courses for the Ph.D.

• PHY 515 or PHY 517 -  Both laboratory courses provide an introduction to the special problems of experimental physics and astronomy. Students perform a number of classical and instructive experiments to learn why and how we acquire the knowledge upon which physics is based.
• PHY 600 Teaching (two semesters) -  Because teaching and research are inextricably intertwined in a scientist's career, all Ph.D. students are required to teach (be a TA) for two semesters. Many do this for a second year. The first introduction to teaching begins during the orientation week: entering students participate in a TA training, required for all new TA's. Usually graduate students will conduct laboratory sections associated with undergraduate courses. Senior faculty members closely supervise this effort. Students normally do their teaching concurrently with their own first year courses, and earn 0-3 academic credits per semester in PHY 600.
• PHY 598 and PHY 599 - Teaching skills are also honed in PHY 598 and PHY 599 where students gain experience presenting research topics to an audience of their peers. This requires very different skills because in PHY 598 and PHY 599 the level of knowledge of speaker and listeners is nearly on a par and because the motivation for the activity is also quite different. Thus, the graduate students are prepared for the time they will present research at seminars or at scientific meetings, as well as for their own thesis defense.
• Breadth Requirement - All Ph.D. students must take at least three advanced courses in three different areas of physics and astronomy or a related area chosen from a list of courses and areas approved for this purpose (see table below) or courses approved by the graduate program director. No more than one course from the 680 or 690 series or outside the Department of Physics and Astronomy can be used to fulfill this requirement.

Students in the Astronomy track have the option to take three of the four astronomy courses (PHY 521-524) rather than the above.

Core Course Plans

How quickly you approach the core courses should depend on your level of preparation. Please do not underestimate these courses and overestimate your own preparation! Remember that you also need to do breadth, grad lab, grad seminars. Here are some example plans you could follow, slowest at the top, fastest at the bottom.

Course Waivers

On the basis of work done at other universities waivers may be granted for required courses such as core courses, breadth requirements, teaching experience, PHY 515, etc.  Waivers have to be requested during the first semester of study in Stony Brook and all such requests must be directed to the Graduate Program Director. In general, it is not sufficient to have the transcript. The student must also bring to Stony Brook, and be prepared to show, other supporting documentation, for example a detailed course syllabus, printouts of the course WEB pages, homework assignments, etc. To obtain a waiver of a core course where the student has not taken an equivalent graduate course the student should pass the relevant subject on the Comprehensive Exam at the Placement level.

In the case of the Graduate Laboratory course (PHY 515 or PHY 517) all materials associated with the course taken elsewhere should be presented: syllabus, the faculty supplied instructions or "write-ups" of the experiments done by the student, the laboratory logbook in which the student recorded the day-to-day results of each experiment, and the final written report for each experiment, together with the grades for each of those. Students seeking a waiver in PHY 515 or PHY 517 should submit all materials to faculty teaching the course soon after arrival to Stony Brook. Instead of fully waiving the course requirement, waivers are sometimes granted for individual experiments.

Comprehensive and Placement Exam

The comprehensive exam, which also plays the role of a Placement Exam is offered in four days, and covers classical mechanics (CM), relativity, electricity, magnetism and optics (EM), quantum mechanics (QM) and statistical mechanics and thermodynamics (SM). The exam takes place in August and in January during the week before the start of classes. 

All PhD students are required to pass the Comprehensive exam before the start of their third year as PhD student. The minimum requirement for passing this exam is passing three subjects at the PhD level and one subject at the Master level.  Admission to the fifth semester of graduate study is contingent upon passing the comprehensive and oral exams or by explicit approval of the Graduate Program Director . We encourage all first-year students to take the Comprehensive exam for practice. There is no expectation by the Department that such students will pass, although some do. There is absolutely no disgrace in an unsuccessful attempt.

Most students with an American bachelor degree and no additional advanced studies have passed the Comprehensive by the beginning of the fourth semester; many pass earlier. Students with more advanced background often pass in the first year. In some cases, students pass the comprehensive exam at the beginning of the fifth semester,  but this is not encouraged. In such cases, the Oral exam should be completed beforehand so that a student's status in the department is clear immediately after the written exam results are available.

The comprehensive exam can be passed at three different levels. The highest level is at the placement level, then all three problems in a given subject area have to be passed at a high level set by the faculty. Students passing at this level are exempt from the corresoponding core course requirement. The second pass level is the PhD level -- at this level students have to pass only two of the three problems at a lower level than the placement level. The lowest pass level, also for two out of the three problems for each subject, is as the Master level. The passing level is set by the faculty and is lower than the PhD level. The comprehensive exam is passed in each subject separately. The level is roughly that of the midterm and final examinations in the core courses. With regards to academic integrity, religious observances, disabilities, etc., this exam follows the university wide guidelines for courses and exams. One hand written page of notes (both sides) is allowed for each subject.

The Comprehensive Exam is prepared by the Graduate Examinations Committee. The Department's faculty meets to discuss the results of the Comprehensive exam about one week after each exam. After that meeting, the answer books are available in the Department office for inspection by the students for grading errors, or for removal by the appropriate student. No grade changes are allowed to an exam book after it has left the office. It is a student's responsibility to ask a professor to regrade a particular question, and this must be done in the office. A large number of small grade changes is not an acceptable way to make a significant change in a total score. Unclaimed books may be discarded after four weeks.

Waivers: A transfer student who has been admitted into the Ph.D. program in Physics at Stony Brook and who has passed a written comprehensive examination as a matriculated student in the doctoral program of the physics or astronomy department at another university may request a waiver of the written comprehensive examination. To request such a waiver a student should:

• First, discuss the situation with the Graduate Program Director.
• Submit to the Graduate Examination Committee a copy (in English or in the original language with an English translation) of the examination which the student passed.
• Supply a signed statement by a the Chair or Graduate Program Director of the student's previous university certifying the maximum possible grade on the examination, the minimum grade for a pass at the Ph.D. level, and the grade obtained by the student.

The Graduate Examinations Committee will consider both the level of the test and the quality of the student's performance in deciding whether to recommend to the faculty that the student be exempted from taking the written comprehensive exam at Stony Brook.

The oral exam consists of a presentation of an  approved and interesting topic in physics or astronomy to a committee of at least three faculty members and should be prepared under the guidance of one of them. The committee members must be approved in advance by both the Graduate Program Director. The committee should contain at least one experimentalist and one theorist, and at least one member whose research specialty is different from the student's field of research. At least half of the committee, and the chair, must be full time faculty.

The faculty advisor for the oral exam will generally become the student's thesis advisor. This exam is a demonstration that the student is capable of beginning Ph.D. level research. The student should show that he/she is conversant with the basic phenomenology of the chosen research field, but it is not necessary to show a completed research project.  

The Oral exam, like the Comprehensive Exam, should be passed by the end of the student's fourth semester at Stony Brook. In practical terms, the latest passing date is week 2 of the 5th Semester. 

In some cases a student may pass the Oral Exam on time, but a thesis advisor will not be identified before the beginning of the fifth semester. In this case, students will be provisionally readmitted for the fifth semester (but not for later semesters, except if an advisor is identified). The Department can not guarantee financial support to students readmitted this way.

Thesis Defense

This is the last exam taken by a Ph.D. student at Stony Brook; It is the defense of the thesis in the form of an oral presentation before the Thesis Defense Committte. This Committee has at least four members: typically the three members of the student's Oral Exam Committee, and one more member, outside of the Department. The outside member should be able to give an independent evaluation of the thesis work and cannot be a collaborator or co-author. At least three members must be Physics and Astronomy faculty (full time or adjunct). At least half of the committee, and the chair, must be full time faculty. There should be at least one experimentalist, at least one theorist, and at least one department member from a research field other than that of the thesis topic. The external member may also serve as the required theorist or experimentalist. The chair can not be your advisor. At most one committee member can attend by Skype, and the defending student, the Chair and the Advisor have to be physically present. All defense committees are subject to approval by the Graduate Program Director. Usually, the student's Oral Exam committee serves as the core of the Defense Committee. The committee must have at least three members (adjunct or full time) from the Department, and one external member - a scientist from another Department at Stony Brook, or another institution. At least half of the committee, and the chair, must be full time faculty. There should be at least one experimentalist, at least one theorist, and at least one department member from a research field other than that of the thesis topic. The external member may also serve as the required theorist or experimentalist. The thesis supervisor is an ex officio member of the committee, and can not serve as the chairperson.

The committee must be approved at least 28 days in advance by both the Graduate Program Director and the Graduate School. The Doctoral Degree Defense form should be also sent to the Graduate Program Director at least four weeks before the scheduled date of the defense. A defense announcment needs to be prepared and sent to the Graduate program director at least 3 weeks before the defense.

The written Ph.D. thesis should be distributed two or three weeks before the exam, so that committee members can read the work carefully.

Procedures when Requirements are not Met

Core courses.   Students are required to take the core courses, except if they passed the relevant Comprehensive Exam at the Placement level. If a student  has not passed out of the course and does not pass the course with a grade B or better, he/she can either take the course again or petition for a "make-up" oral exam. The "make-up" oral exam may be set up to test the student's knowledge in the particular area. For example, if a student got a B- in PHY 505 then the exam will cover "Electricity and Magnetism". The time of the exam, and the three member exam committee will be chosen by the Graduate Program Director.

Comprehensive exam. If a PhD student has not passed the comprehensive exam at the beginning of their fifth semester, an ad hoc committee shall be setup. This committee will be chaired by the graduate program director and include the chair of the exam committee, any mentors assigned by the mentoring program, and any advisor if the student has started working with a professor. Additional members as considered appropriate may be added at the discretion of the graduate program director. This committee will decide whether the student shall be given an Oral Exam in the relevant subject(s), whether there are additional comprehensive exam attempts to be given, or whether they will have to leave the program. The criteria on which the decision will be made include past performance on the comprehensive exam, the standing of the student with regard to required courses and their demonstrated potential to proceed to full time Ph.D. research. It is the department’s general policy that if progress on these three criteria is satisfactory a student will be granted an opportunity to either take the written exam again or have an Oral Exam. In the event a student is denied this opportunity and asked to leave the program they may request that their case is discussed at a meeting of the full faculty as a final appeal.

Oral Exam.   This exam can be repeated as long as the student is within the deadlines outlined above.

PhD Degree with Concentration in Astronomy

Students whose emphasis will be in astronomy a have modified set of course requirements. During their first two years, they should take three of the four core astronomy courses, PHY 521, 522, 523, 524, which are offered one each semester. Therefore a possible astronomy sequence looks like this:

The particular order of the astronomy courses is determined by the actual course offering in those semesters. The order PHY540/PHY505 and PHY511/PHY512 can be switched according to the preference of the student.   PHY 515 or PHY 517 (discussed above) can be taken in any semester during the first two years.

PhD Degree with Concentration in Physical Biology

This is an interdisciplenary concentration in connection with the   Laufer Center for quantitative biology . Students usually declare their interest in this concentration not later than the end of the first semester. Postponing this decision will result in a loss of time. The main difference with the default physics concentration is a reduction of core courses by one course while several physical biology courses are required. Instead of the graduate lab students do rotations with faculty associated with the Laufer center. Also the Graduate Seminar is substituted by the Laufer Center Journal Club. The Requirements fo a Ph.D. Degree in Physics with Concentration in Physical Biology are as follows:

• Four Physics core course: Electrodynamics (PHY 505), Quantum Mechanics I (PHY 511), Statistical Mechanics (PHY 540) and either Classical Mechanics (PHY 501) or Quantum Mechanics II (PHY 512).
• Two Core Courses in Physical Biology: Physical Biology (PHY 558) and Biological Dynamics and Network (PHY 559)
• Biology For Physical Scientists (PHY 561)
• Two semesters of Teaching (PHY 600)
• Two semesters of Lab Rotations (PHY 584 / AMS 531)
• Two semester of the Laufer Center Journal Club (PHY 665 / AMS 532)
• Two Life Science courses form an approved list. Currently, the following courses have been approved: Biomolecular Structure and Analysis (CHE 541), Molecular Genetics (MCB 503 ), Structural Biology and Spectroscopy (MCB 512), Graduate Biochemistry I ( MCB 520) and Cell Biology (MCB 656), Introduction to Neurosience I (BNB 561), Introduction to Neurosience II (  BNB 562)
• Passing of the Comprehensive Exam. 
• An oral exam on a topic in Physical Biology
• Student shoud find an advisor working on the topic of Physical Biology

A typical course sequence for students in the Physical Biology concentration looks something like:

Additional information on the Concentration in Physical Biology can be found on the webpage of   the Laufer Center which also has a   list of course requirements.

Tuition rates for the Fall 2023 semester can be found here .

If properly handled, Ph. D students do not pay tuition, which is covered by a tutition scholarship. However, serious problems can arise for those who fail to follow instructions, respond to notices, or submit forms on time. Sometimes such failures result in large, irretrievable financial losses. To make sure that your Ph.D. tuition will be covered there are two important requiements you should pay attention to.

The first requirement is based on the   campus requirement   that all those eligible to become residents of the State of New York do so. The two main conditions for residency are one year of stay in NY state and an appropriate "visa" status (either US citizen, or permanent resident). Please carefully read the instructions on the bursars website and make sure you follow them.

The second requirement is related to the the fact that tuition depends on the number of credits taken, and there are limits on this, given in the chart below. The limit is not the same for all students, so find your status from your registration papers and consult the chart to determine the appropriate limit. Students who register for more than the limit will be liable for the difference.

Tuition scholarships for students classified as  G3 will cover between 9-12 credits, including remedial Oral Academic English courses if required. However, the tuition scholarship for G4 will cover only 9 credits. If G4 students need to take OAE courses, additional tuition support can be requested - please contact the Department's Office. This request is granted as a matter of routine.  G4 and G5 students must register for "exactly" 9 credits for full time status.  Note that many courses are offered for a variable number of credits, providing some flexibility to the students to satisfy these requirements. Sometimes a course may be taken for zero credit; nevertheless, in order to satisfy a Department requirement, full effort is expected from the student.

Tuition costs for 6 credits at the in-state rate will be charged to the research grants as students move on to research appointments (G5 status) as detailed here .

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Q&A: Physics PhD Student Iris Cong Looks Back At The Fellowship

Born in Los Angeles, 2018 Paul & Daisy Soros Fellow Iris Cong is the daughter of Chinese immigrants who epitomize the American Dream. Her parents came to the United States in 1985 for their graduate studies, with only $30 each. After overcoming many challenges, Iris’s father became a distinguished UCLA professor, and her parents founded and sold two tech startups. Their inspiring stories taught Iris three indispensable lessons: pursue the best education, dream big, and persevere.

Iris decided early on to pursue scientific research, so she took calculus at age 11. At age 13, she skipped high school to enter UCLA, majoring in computer science. Amongst classmates of much stronger academic backgrounds, Iris persevered and graduated with a 4.0 GPA. That year she received the only school-wide Outstanding Bachelor of Science Award. As an undergraduate, Iris wrote four first-author publications, gave multiple invited talks, and won the Barry Goldwater Scholarship and the National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate Fellowship. 

A 2018 Hertz Fellow, Iris pursued her research in Professor Mikhail Lukin’s lab at Harvard, where she has been working to develop and facilitate cutting-edge applications for near-term quantum devices. 

You’re now finishing up the second year of the Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowship program. Has the Fellowship been what you expected?

The Fellowship has been not only what I expected but so much more! I never realized until attending the Fall Conferences that I could form such strong, lifelong bonds and friendships in just a couple days. I’m so thankful for the experiences I’ve shared with everyone in the PD Soros community–the staff, the Soros family, and the Fellows.

As a New American, why has it been important to have The Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowships community?

The PD Soros community gives me inspiration to persist through challenges, both within and outside of academics. The incredible research and innovations being developed by past and current Fellows continually motivates me to push myself harder in my own studies. I am also deeply moved by the stories of how many Fellows overcame hardships or adversity as New Americans to achieve their dreams. My experiences with the PD Soros community give me confidence, especially in these trying times, that immigrants do make this country great.

What has The Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowships program brought to your life?

Through the PD Soros Fellowships program, I’ve gotten to learn about a rich variety of other New American stories. These experiences have helped me develop a deeper gratitude for many of the opportunities I have had. I’ve also formed so many lifelong friendships, which I will always be grateful for.

Do you have any favorite memories from the past two years as a Paul & Daisy Soros Fellow?

One of my favorite memories in the past two years was reuniting with the Fellows in my cohort on the first morning of our second Fall Conference. Even though we had previously only spent two to three days together, it truly felt like we were all one family. I’ll never forget the hugs we shared and the excitement that bubbled in the room that day.

What advice would you give to someone who is thinking of applying to The Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans?

It’s easy to get stressed about fellowship applications but try to enjoy this opportunity to reflect on your past experiences and your future ambitions. How did you arrive at where you are today? What do you want to accomplish most, and why? When I wrote my application, I was a first-year PhD student deciding on a specific research area and lab. Delving deeper into these questions, I found the application quite helpful for learning more about myself and ultimately choosing my research path. ∎

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Iris Cong is the child of immigrants from China. Fellowship awarded in 2018 to support work towards a PhD in Physics at Harvard University

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• Support on-going and future R&D projects in the FS/IBT Program and other efforts in ATAP by working collaboratively to develop our main science areas: Quantum information processing, quantum sensor development, quantum emitter development for quantum communication, and laser, particle beam and plasma source, particle accelerator and detector development (for example for QIS and fusion research).
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• The full salary range of this position is between $7,445 to $17,868 per month and is expected to pay between a targeted range of $9,927 to $13,897 per month. Salary will be commensurate with the final candidate’s qualification, skills, knowledge, and abilities, including relevant education, certifications, and years of experience and aligned with internal peer group. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position.
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Welcome, g1 physics students 2019.

Academic Life in Cambridge and Boston Harvard University's physics students are welcomed into an environment which is internationally renowned for its faculty, resources, and research initiatives. Commensurate with the academic surroundings are the outstanding cultural and recreational options available in the historic cities of Cambridge and Boston, which have been thriving on the banks of the Charles River for more than 350 years.

Students can relax on the grass of the Cambridge Common, where George Washington took command of the Continental Army, or stroll the narrow streets around Harvard Square, where bookstores, restaurants and shops buzz with activity while street musicians and performers entertain those passing by.

On the other side of the Charles, the Boston Freedom Trail takes walkers through early American history, winding its way around landmarks from the days of the American Revolution, such as the Old South Meeting House in which the Boston Tea Party was planned, the Old State House where the Declaration of Independence was first read in public, and the "Cradle of Liberty", Faneuil Hall.

Cultural and entertainment opportunities are bountiful around Cambridge and Boston, from world-class orchestras, theaters, museums, and festivals, to professional sports of every stripe, to an endless variety of popular entertainment venues, superb dining, clubs, galleries, lectures, and screenings of rare films.

The natural environment of the Atlantic coast offers unlimited choices for recreation and relaxation. To the south are the magnificent beaches of Cape Cod, Nantucket, and Martha's Vineyard, and to the north sprawl the mountains of New Hampshire, Vermont, and Maine, popular with hikers and skiers. Picturesque towns like Marblehead and Kennebunkport hug the rugged seacoast and provide excellent destinations for weekend getaways. Greater Boston is home to at least six major research universities. Harvard students can benefit in many ways from the area's rich academic atmosphere by taking part in the many seminars, colloquia, and inter-university collaborations that happen on a regular basis throughout the year. Harvard students may also cross-register for classes at MIT, which is 20 minutes away from Harvard by bus or subway.

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How a simple physics experiment could reveal the “dark dimension”

Could the universe's missing matter be hiding in a "dark" extra dimension? We now have simple ways to test this outlandish idea - and the existence of extra dimensions more generally

10 July 2024

Craig Frazier

We tend not to dwell on the fact that we exist in three dimensions. Forwards-back, left-right, up-down; these are the axes on which we navigate the world. When we try to imagine something else, it typically conjures images from the wildest science fiction – of portals in the fabric of space-time and parallel worlds.

Yet serious physicists have long been spellbound by the prospect of extra dimensions . For all their intangibility, they promise to resolve several big questions about the deepest workings of the universe. Besides, they can’t be ruled out simply because they are difficult to imagine and even harder to observe. “There’s no reason why it has to be three,” says Georges Obied at the University of Oxford. “It could have been two; it could have been four or 10.”

Why the laws of physics don't actually exist

Still, there comes a point when any self-respecting physicist wants hard evidence. Which is why it is so exciting that, over the past few years, researchers have developed a handful of techniques that could finally snare proof of extra dimensions. We might yet spot gravity leaking into them, for instance. We may see their subtle imprint on black holes or find their traces in particle accelerators.

But now, in an unexpected twist, Obied and others are making the case for an extra dimension that is radically unlike any we have concocted previously. This “dark dimension” would conceal particles from the dawn of time that could solve the mystery of dark matter , whose gravitational pull is thought to have shaped the cosmos. Crucially, it should also be relatively…

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UAlbany Summer: Physics Major Teaching STEM at Space Camp

By Michael Parker

ALBANY, N.Y. (July 9, 2024) — For UAlbany rising junior Abby Greco, trying to explain Albert Einstein’s theory of relativity to a group of 9-year-olds was not at the top of her summer plans this year. But getting the opportunity to teach children how to build rockets amid a Saturn V or showing off the Apollo 16 space capsule is another story entirely.

Greco is spending her UAlbany summer working as a counselor at  Space Camp , where she is teaching children about the history of the U.S. space program, including the Mercury, Gemini and Apollo missions, as well as the space shuttle program, Artemis and commercial space flight missions.

And yes, Greco is also tasked with teaching her 9-to-14 year-olds how to build rockets that they later launch.

“While I’m not necessarily learning equations and doing research, I am learning a lot of soft skills while working here,” said Greco, a physics major from Pawling, N.Y. “Time to travel between activities fluctuates, so time management is crucial. Then there’s also the obvious one, which is being able to properly convey the concepts. The 9 year olds take a little longer to wrap their heads around the vastness of space and rocket propulsion than the 14 year olds do. But they are kids at camp too, so we have to make sure they're having fun while learning.”

Situated on the grounds of the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama, Space Camp has served as the summer home for nearly 1 million children since it first opened in 1982.

“The Redstone Arsenal, where a lot of the early rockets were developed, is right in our backyard, and Marshall Space Flight Center is about 3.5 miles away,” said Greco, pointing to the ongoing work underway to develop the rockets for NASA’s  Artemis program .

Not that they’re aren’t drawbacks to spending a summer in the southern United States.

“The weather is HOT compared to New York. The Rocket Center's security has it's own process when it comes to sending out weather alerts to the staff, and we get notifications whenever the heat index is above 100 degrees Fahrenheit, which has been pretty much daily," said Greco. “Fortunately, the summer camp is education based, so we don't do a lot outside. All the mission simulations, astronaut simulations, history lessons, rocket construction sessions, etc., are all indoors.”

Of course, when it comes to launching their model rockets, the students will be headed outdoors.

For Greco, working at Space Camp was an opportunity to gain career skills while also checking off a box for both her and her mother. It started when she picked up stargazing as a hobby at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, with her rural hometown of Pawling providing plenty of clear night skies. After enjoying a “Star Wars” marathon with her dad and two brothers around the same time, Greco really became interested in a career that involved the study of space. This is what first led her to consider UAlbany (her father’s alma mater) for her collegiate studies.

“I attended the natural science student panel where a physics student discussed a dark matter experiment he was working on. He was using particles to trigger phase changes in supercooled and superheated liquids. I found that absolutely fascinating and wanted to be a part of it,” Greco said. She went on to join the UAlbany Dark Matter group in fall of 2023 with associate professors Cecilia Levy and Matthew Szydagis, who ended up visiting Abby in Huntsville while coincidentally at a conference there.

“It was great to see Abby gaining experience helpful for her future,” said Szydagis.

"In addition to doing research in my group, I had Abby in my modern physics class last year and introduced her to Einstein’s special relativity," said Levy. "The fact that she is already using this knowledge and sharing it with the next generation is simply wonderful. Knowing Abby and her never failing enthusiasm, I am sure she is already positively influencing some of these young minds to become future physicists."

As Greco began reviewing her options for continuing her studies this summer, it was her mom’s suggestion to explore an out-of-this-world way to advance her education while getting paid to do so.

“My mom had always talked about Space Camp and how she could never go. I was just going to go home and work as a counselor at the local summer camp anyway, so I figured I’d find a camp that was related to what I want to do. If I do want to become a teacher or conduct research, Space Camp would be the perfect opportunity to advance those skills,” said Greco. “I applied, got an interview, and got hired on the spot.”

Greco credits both of her parents, but her mom in particular, with encouraging her to take risks on pursuing her life goals. “She is incredible and almost everything that I have learned about advocating for myself has been from her,” said Greco.

As for what comes next, Greco hasn’t completely decided. But her fascination with space has her leaning toward a PhD program in close proximity to one of the  Event Horizon Telescopes situated around the globe. These observatories collaborated in 2019 to produce the first images of light trapped around supermassive black holes.

“The soft skills that I’m learning now take experience in order to keep building them,” said Greco. “Eventually I’m going to have to communicate the science I’m doing, and I need to be able to do it well.”

Between what she is learning at Space Camp and her studies at UAlbany, including her recent election as president of the UAlbany physics club, she is well on her way to mastering the skills she needs to succeed in a scientific career.

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Ben affleck’s daughter violet hinted at her viral condition with a book months before calling for mask mandate.

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Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner’s eldest child hinted at her viral condition months before calling for a mask mandate — by using a very pointed book.

Violet, 18, was spotted walking with the “Alias” star in May wearing a mask and carrying Steven Thrasher’s “ The Viral Underclass ,” an award-winning 2022 nonfiction book about how inequality affects the survival rates of viruses such as COVID-19 and HIV.

With the book’s cover directly facing the paparazzo’s camera lens, it appears the recent high school graduate was sending a message not only about her recovery from an undisclosed illness but also society’s handling of the pandemic.

On Tuesday, Violet appeared at a Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors meeting and delivered an impassioned speech to “demand” mask mandates in county medical facilities.

While also advocating for increased mask availability and free COVID-19 testing, Violet revealed she “contracted a post-viral condition in 2019.”

“I’m OK now, but I saw first-hand that medicine does not always have answers to the consequences of even minor viruses. The COVID-19 pandemic has thrown that into sharper relief,” Violet told the local politicians.

“One in 10 infections leads to long COVID, which is a devastating neurological [and] cardiovascular illness that can take away people’s ability to work, move, see, and even think,” she continued, before concluding with a “demand” to “oppose mask bans for any reason.”

Wearing a mask during her address, Violet stated that banning masks “do not make us safer” and instead “make vulnerable members of our community less safe and make everyone less able to participate in Los Angeles together.”

Violet has been spotted out with her parents wearing masks on multiple occasions, including while attending Michael Rubin’s annual white party last year with her father and Jennifer Lopez.

Politics appears to be a passion for the teenager, as she also made a statement in January 2024 when she wore a pro-Palestinian sweater while out with Garner, 52.

The mother-daughter duo were seen visiting Chanel in Beverly Hills, Calif., while Violet sported a black “freedom melon crewneck” from  Wear The Peace ($38) , featuring an image of a watermelon.

One hundred percent of the profits from the sweater purchase goes to aid in Gaza, according to the website.

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• Helmholtz Association of German Research Centres
• Posted on: 10 July 2024

PhD Student (f/m/d) Simulations and Development of new Ultrafast Electron Diffraction Instrument / Excellent university degree (Master/Diploma) in the field of physics, engineering, or material science with PhD qualification or related …

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Job description: PhD Student (f/m/d) Simulations and Development of new Ultrafast Electron Diffraction Instrument

With cutting-edge research in the fields of ENERGY, HEALTH and MATTER, around 1,500 employees from more than 70 nations at Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR) are committed to mastering the great challenges facing society today.

The Institute for Ion Beam Physics and Materials Research is dedicated to the study of materials and their nanostructures that can be considered for future applications in information technology and are based on electrical, magnetic or optical functionalities. The Institute of Radiation Physics conducts research for states of matter under extreme conditions and in very small dimensions.

In recent years, the technique of ultrafast electron diffraction (UED) has emerged as a powerful experimental tool in the studies of ultrafast phase transitions, new exotic phases of matters, and active control of non-equilibrium properties on a femtosecond timescale. Utilizing a unique UED instrument operating at MeV energies combined with the coherent narrowband THz sources of ELBE would open up a new class of experiments that will be critical to the development and control of new materials that utilize correlated and quantum phases of matter to their full potential.

To achieve this, the Institute of Radiation Physics and the Institute of Ion Beam and Materials Research have coordinated to offer a PhD project to design a novel UED instrument at HZDR, for which we are looking for a PhD Student (f/m/d). 

# Work at a world-class international user facility on the development of methods and instrumentation for MeV-UED that will push beyond established capabilities # Adapt existing x-ray diffraction codes for the analysis of electron diffraction images # Perform simulations of the interaction of electrons in matter and develop detection schemes based on the outcomes # Assist in the design and construction of a novel experimental station for MeV-UED # Bolster and extend collaborative work with other facilities operating in the field of electron diffraction

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# Excellent university degree (Master/Diploma) in the field of physics, engineering, or material science or related field # Knowledge and interest in electron-matter interaction or willingness to build an understanding of this field # Basic understanding of accelerator science # Well-developed social and communicative skills, ability to work collaboratively in a multidisciplinary team # Programming skills in MATLAB, Python, or similar # Good English language skills, knowledge of German is beneficial (but not necessary)

# A vibrant research community in an open, diverse and international work environment # Scientific excellence and extensive professional networking opportunities # A structured PhD program with a comprehensive range of continuing education and networking opportunities - more information about the PhD program at the HZDR can be found here # Salary and social benefits in accordance with the collective agreement for the public sector (TVöD-Bund) including 30 days of paid holiday leave, company pension scheme (VBL) # We support a good work-life balance with the possibility of part-time employment, mobile working and flexible working hours # Numerous company health management offerings # Employee discounts with well-known providers via the platform Corporate Benefits # An employer subsidy for the "Deutschland-Ticket Jobticket"

We look forward to receiving your application documents (including cover letter, CV, diplomas/transcripts, etc.), which you can submit via our online-application-system.  

This research center is part of the Helmholtz Association of German Research Centers. With more than 42,000 employees and an annual budget of over € 5 billion, the Helmholtz Association is Germany's largest scientific organisation.

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