can i do phd in physics after engineering

• PRO Courses Guides New Tech Help Pro Expert Videos About wikiHow Pro Upgrade Sign In
• EDIT Edit this Article
• EXPLORE Tech Help Pro About Us Random Article Quizzes Request a New Article Community Dashboard This Or That Game Popular Categories Arts and Entertainment Artwork Books Movies Computers and Electronics Computers Phone Skills Technology Hacks Health Men's Health Mental Health Women's Health Relationships Dating Love Relationship Issues Hobbies and Crafts Crafts Drawing Games Education & Communication Communication Skills Personal Development Studying Personal Care and Style Fashion Hair Care Personal Hygiene Youth Personal Care School Stuff Dating All Categories Arts and Entertainment Finance and Business Home and Garden Relationship Quizzes Cars & Other Vehicles Food and Entertaining Personal Care and Style Sports and Fitness Computers and Electronics Health Pets and Animals Travel Education & Communication Hobbies and Crafts Philosophy and Religion Work World Family Life Holidays and Traditions Relationships Youth
• Browse Articles
• Learn Something New
• Quizzes Hot
• This Or That Game
• Train Your Brain
• Explore More
• Support wikiHow
• About wikiHow
• Log in / Sign up
• Education and Communications

How to Get a Ph.D. in Physics

Last Updated: August 22, 2023 Approved

This article was co-authored by Sean Alexander, MS . Sean Alexander is an Academic Tutor specializing in teaching mathematics and physics. Sean is the Owner of Alexander Tutoring, an academic tutoring business that provides personalized studying sessions focused on mathematics and physics. With over 15 years of experience, Sean has worked as a physics and math instructor and tutor for Stanford University, San Francisco State University, and Stanbridge Academy. He holds a BS in Physics from the University of California, Santa Barbara and an MS in Theoretical Physics from San Francisco State University. There are 10 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. In this case, 100% of readers who voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 148,387 times.

Physics can be an exciting field to go into! You can pursue a career in academics, in government research, or in the private sector. To start on the road to getting a PhD, develop your science and math skills. If you're still in high school and college, you have ample time to focus on your science education; if not, don't be deterred. Even without a science degree, you can find and apply to a PhD program of your choice. After that, all you need to do is complete your PhD program; it's not an easy task, but it's one you can achieve if you set your mind to it.

Developing Your Education in High School and College

• It can help to find a role model. If there are physicists in your community, try contacting them to see if they'll help you in your pursuit. Many may be willing to have you shadow them for a period of time.
• Don't forget to invest time in math classes, as well, as math is essential to physics.
• Make sure you are well-rounded, though. To do well on college entrance exams, it helps to be proficient in as many subjects as possible.

• To do well on these exams, you'll need to prep ahead of time. Your school may offer prep courses, but you can also purchase study guides that have practice tests. Taking practice tests gives you an idea of what the actual exam will be like, so you can go into the test with less anxiety. [3] X Research source

• Though not necessary, it can help to know whether you want to go into theoretical or experimental physics, though it's not a requirement. [4] X Research source

• Ask your professors about opportunities in your college and surrounding area.

Applying to a Graduate Program

• You do not need to be a genius to get a PhD. Graduate school is hard work, but success depends on your dedication more than on your ability.

• Like the SAT and ACT, you can find any number of prep courses and prep materials for the GRE. You can also find practice tests to take online.

• Keep in mind that in some cases, schools will collapse a master's program and PhD into one program. So when you choose a master's program, you may very well be choosing your PhD program, as well.
• 4 Try to meet and talk to physicists. Look into physics talks for the general public in your area or contact a physics department directly. Most places will be happy to give you information and point you to resources about graduate programs.

Determining Your Research Focus

• Take the time to gain some experience. Apply for lab positions so you can get a feel for what it's like to do research in a lab full time.

• Choosing a school with professors whose research you enjoy is a great way to focus your work. As your work gets more individual, you want to work with professors who have similar interests.

• Submit all the appropriate paperwork for your application, including your transcripts, academic references, and your basic application. [10] X Research source
• In many cases, you'll need to write a personal statement or research proposal, as well.

Working on Your PhD

• Try to focus classes on the area you want to write on.
• Outside of class, read as much as you can in your area.

• The best way to get started is to attend department functions so you can start getting to know your professors better, as well as their interests.
• It can also help to talk with older students informally, so you can get an idea of who will be a good fit for you.

• Part of managing your time well is learning to shift your schedule when you need to. If something is taking longer than it should, realize you'll need to cut something else from your day.

• You should also take advantage of courses teaching things like writing grant proposals, which is a great skill to have.

Researching and Writing Your Dissertation

• If you're still looking, consider taking classes with potential advisors. You can also ask to meet with them, though be sure to do your research ahead of time by reading articles the professor has published.
• "What are your expectations for a research student?"
• "How do you offer criticism?"
• "How often will we meet?"
• "How quickly will you get back to me with revisions?"
• Once you've narrowed down your choices, approach the professor and ask them to be your research advisor. If you have an interdisciplinary project, you may need more than one advisor.

• Start with the outline. You fill in the verbiage last, usually. Figure out what you need to say, and divide it into chapters. Work on the supporting figures next. You'll need plenty of figures and tables to support your conclusions. Additionally, reviewers on your committee may not read every word, but they usually look at all of the figures and read the captions to get the gist of what's going on.
• When you write, only write. Give yourself a time span where you allow yourself no option of doing anything else but writing. Sometimes it helps to write in the same office/coffee shop/etc. with another student working on their thesis, if you both can keep each other on task. You can take breaks together and take the heat off a bit.

• However, by the time you're doing your defense, your paper should have been reviewed multiple times by your advisor, which means you shouldn't have any trouble passing.

Expert Q&A

• Don't let money hold you back. Most physics departments will support their students through teaching assistantships or research assistantships. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
• Is your interest more focused on learning or on doing science?
• Would you enjoy actively doing research in physics? All programs require you to take classes or pass exams, but most of your work during a PhD program will be dedicated to doing research.
• What would you pursue once you get a PhD? If what you are after is a particular job or line of work, consider whether you need a PhD for it.
• Are you comfortable with spending a few additional years in a university? Most PhD programs in the United States will take 5-6 years on average.

You Might Also Like

• ↑ http://mkaku.org/home/articles/so-you-want-to-become-a-physicist/
• ↑ https://www.princetonreview.com/college/sat-act
• ↑ Sean Alexander, MS. Academic Tutor. Expert Interview. 14 May 2020.
• ↑ https://www.ets.org/gre/revised_general/about/?WT.ac=grehome_greabout_b_150213
• ↑ https://www.elsevier.com/connect/9-things-you-should-consider-before-embarking-on-a-phd
• ↑ http://www.graduate.study.cam.ac.uk/courses/directory/pcphpdphy/apply
• ↑ http://web.eecs.umich.edu/~imarkov/advisor.html
• ↑ https://www.forbes.com/sites/quora/2015/12/07/what-its-like-to-get-a-phd-in-experimental-physics/#43b503524fe0
• ↑ http://www.slate.com/articles/health_and_science/science/2012/08/what_is_the_value_of_a_science_phd_is_graduate_school_worth_the_effort_.html

About This Article

• Send fan mail to authors

Reader Success Stories

Imhotep Booth

Feb 1, 2017

Did this article help you?

Katlego Phiri

Nov 15, 2016

Jul 2, 2017

Esaaf Nabil

Jan 11, 2017

Featured Articles

Trending Articles

Watch Articles

• Terms of Use
• Privacy Policy
• Do Not Sell or Share My Info
• Not Selling Info

wikiHow Tech Help Pro:

Develop the tech skills you need for work and life

• Skip to main content
• Prospective Students
• Current Students
• Apply Apply
•   Follow Us

5 Careers to Pursue With Your PhD in Physics

Often the first and sometimes only career that comes to mind when students consider pursuing their Ph.D. in Physics is a job in academia. Teaching at a college or university can be a noble and rewarding career – but your professional options are not limited exclusively to the realm of a classroom or lab.

Keep reading for data about the fields in which physicists end up working and for a detailed look at the potential career paths that are open to people with an advanced degree in physics.

The Data Shows Career Diversity

One study performed by the American Institute of Physics (AIP), surveyed 503 physicists about their careers working in the private sector, 10-15 years after earning their Ph.D. The data collected revealed a several commonalities. First, the vast majority of mid-career Ph.D. physicists were working in the STEM fields. The most common fields were physics and engineering , followed by education, computer software, and business. Other fields included education (non-physics), non-STEM, other STEM, computer hardware, and medicine.

Additionally, the study found that physicists' careers in the private sector relied heavily on skills such as solving complex problems, managing projects, and writing for a technical audience. Across the board, the study found that the physicists felt their work was rewarding, as they found the work intellectually stimulating and challenging, and enjoyed collaborating with smart professional colleagues.

While the possibilities are vast and varied for those graduating from physics Ph.D. programs , the following are examples meant to demonstrate the range of fields and careers that are available to you.

Research and Development Engineer (Physics)

Job Description: According to AIP, about half of Research and Development Engineers work in the private sector (51 percent) , with 31 percent working in government, 16 percent the academic sector, and 2 percent in other areas. These engineers are responsible for overseeing, conducting, and applying research activities and experiments for organizations . They also will take the results, summarize them and disseminate their findings. They might also be responsible for developing technical documentation for projects.

• Skills Highlighted : Ability to work on a team, project management, technical problem solving, programming, basic physics principles
• Average Salary: $103,140 (as of July 2018)

Data Scientist (Non-STEM)

Job Description : AIP found that the vast majority of Data Scientists work in private industry (82 percent), a smaller portion working for the government (15 percent), and only 2 percent in the academic and 1 percent in other sectors. Data Scientists are responsible for taking large amounts of data and mining for patterns and information hidden within the data sets. They use statistical analysis to review the data, learn about how a business performs, and to build AI tools that automate certain processes within the company. They might also be responsible for creating various machine learning-based tools or processes , including recommendation engines and automated lead scoring systems.

• Skills Highlighted : Ability to work on a team, technical writing, technical problem solving, programming, design and development, specialized equipment.
• Average Salary : $131,847 (as of August 2018)

Quantitative Developer (Business)

Job Description : Virtually all Quantitative Developers (often referred to as quants) are working in private industry (95 percent) . AIP found that 5 percent found employment in other sectors. A job as a Quantitative Developer will require an interest in working in finance, math, and technology. You will also need experience with computer programming languages such as Matlab, C++, Java, C#, Q, Perl, Python and others. The majority of the work is creating, implementing, and analyzing mathematical models that are used to drive trading decisions. Developers also analyze risk models, create and develop new software for automated trading, and work alongside traders and other financial analysts in the company.

• Skills Highlighted : Ability to work on a team, technical problem solving, project management, programming, advanced math, simulation and modeling, perform quality control.
• Average Salary : $124,552 (as of August 2018)

Systems Engineer (Computer Software)

Job Description: According to AIP, almost all Systems Engineers work in the private sector (94 percent) , with small portions working in hospital or medical facilities (3 percent), academic settings (3 percent), or government (1 percent). Systems Engineers work alongside a team of highly technical engineers to ensure the quality, performance, and security of software infrustructures. The are responsible for installing, configuring, testing, and maintaining operating systems , application software, and system management tools. They monitor and test the systems, working to identify potential problems and creating and implementing solutions.

• Skills Highlighted : Ability to work on a team, technical writing and problem solving, programing, advanced math, simulation and modeling, perform technical support.
• Average Salary: ( $92,586 as of August 2018)

Medical Physicist (Medicine)

Job Description: AIP found that 74 percent of Medical Physicists worked in the private sector, and the remaining 26 percent worked in a hospital or medical facility. Medical physicists use a variety of analytical, computer-aided and bioengineering techniques, as well as analytical skills and applied science to aid doctors and medical staff in diagnosing and treating patients. They are responsible for helping to plan and ensure the safe and accurate treatment of patients. Often they will provide training and advice on advanced medical technologies such as radiotherapy, tomography, and nuclear magnetic resonance imaging and lasers.

About 85% of medical physicists are involved with "some form of therapy," according to Physics Today , a publication of the AIP.

• Skills Highlighted : Ability to work on a team, technical writing and problem solving, programming, advanced math, work with clients, design and development, simulation and modeling, applied research.
• Median Salary: ( $185,000 as of 2012)

A Ph.D. in Physics Can Take You Far

Your career options post-doctorate are far from restricted to a classroom, a lab, or academia. Upon completion of your Ph.D. program, you will be equipped with the expertise to complement any number of professional teams in a variety of sectors. You could have the option of working in private industry, for government agencies, in hospitals and medical facilities, or if you desire, in a research lab or as a tenured professor.  

The only question that remains is – what will you choose to do next? Start pursuing your advanced degree in physics in order to make one of these careers a reality!

Learn more about

the Physics Department at SMU through our program guide.

Request more

Information.

Complete the form to reach out to us for more information

Published On

More articles, recommended articles for you, unlocking possibilities: what can you do with a phd in english.

The world of academia has long been associated with the pursuit of knowledge, scholarly research...

How to Become an Assistant Professor: My Experience Finding a Job in Academia

One of the great benefits of earning a doctoral degree is the range of academic positions a PhD can...

Beyond the Tenure-Track But Still In the Heart of Academia

As a student who is entering or completing a Ph.D. program, you're probably thinking about the...

Browse articles by topic

Subscribe to.

• Doing a PhD in Physics
• Doing a PhD

What Is It Like to Do a PhD in Physics?

Physics is arguably the most fundamental scientific discipline and underpins much of our understanding of the universe. Physics is based on experiments and mathematical analysis which aims to investigate the physical laws which make up life as we know it.

Due to the large scope of physics, a PhD project may focus on any of the following subject areas:

• Thermodynamics
• Cosmology and Astrophysics
• Nuclear Physics
• Solid State Physics
• Condensed matter Physics
• Particle Physics
• Quantum mechanics
• Computational Physics
• Theoretical Physics
• Electromagnetism and photonics
• Molecular physics
• And many more

Compared to an undergraduate degree, PhD courses involve original research which, creates new knowledge in a chosen research area. Through this you will develop a detailed understanding of applicable techniques for research, become an expert in your research field, and contribute to extending the boundaries of knowledge.

During your postgraduate study you will be required to produce a dissertation which summarises your novel findings and explains their significance. Postgraduate research students also undertake an oral exam, known as the Viva, where you must defend your thesis to examiners.

Browse PhDs in Physics

Decoherence due to flux noise in superconducting qubits at microkelvin temperatures, in-situ disposal of cementitious wastes at uk nuclear sites, coventry university postgraduate research studentships, discovery of solid state electrolytes using deep learning, observing the black hole mergers in the early universe with next-generation gravitational wave observatories, hear from phd students and doctorates:.

To get a better perspective of what life is really like doing a Physics PhD, read the interview profiles below, from those that have been there before, and are there now:

How Long Does It Take to Get a PhD in Physics?

The typical full-time programme has a course length of 3 to 4 years . Most universities also offer part-time study . The typical part-time programme has a course length of 5 to 7 years.

The typical Physics PhD programme sees PhD students study on a probationary basis during their first year. Admission to the second year of study and enrolment onto the PhD programme is subject to a successful first year review. The format of this review varies across organisations but commonly involves a written report of progress made on your research project and an oral examination.

Additional Learning Modules:

Most Physics PhD programme have no formal requirement for students to attend core courses. There are, however, typically several research seminars, technical lectures, journal clubs and other courses held within the Physics department that students are expected to attend.

Research seminars are commonly arranged throughout your programme to support you with different aspects of your study, for example networking with other postgraduates, guidelines on working with your supervisor, how to avoid bias in independent research, tips for thesis writing, and time management skills.

Doctoral training and development workshops are commonly organised both within and outside of the department and aim to develop students’ transferrable skills (for example communication and team working). Information on opportunities for development that exist within the University and explored and your post doctorate career plans will be discussed.

Lectures run by department staff and visiting scholars on particular subject matters relevant to your research topic are sometimes held, and your supervisor (or supervisory committee) is likely to encourage you to attend.

Typical Entry Requirements:

A UK Physics PhD programme normally requires a minimum upper second-class (2:1) honours undergraduate or postgraduate degree (or overseas equivalent) in physics, or a closely related subject. Closely related subjects vary depending on projects, but mathematics and material sciences are common. Graduate students with relevant work experience may also be considered.

Funded PhD programmes (for examples those sponsored by Doctoral Training Partnerships or by the university school) are more competitive, and hence entry requirements tend to be more demanding.

English Language Requirements:

Universities typically expect international students to provide evidence of their English Language ability as part of their applications. This is usually benchmarked by an IELTS exam score of 6.5 (with a minimum score of 6 in each component), a TOEFL (iBT) exam score 92, a CAE and CPE exam score of 176 or another equivalent. The exact score requirements for the different English Language Qualifications may differ across different universities.

Tips to Improve Your Application:

If you are applying to a Physics PhD, you should have a thorough grasp of the fundamentals of physics, and also appreciate the concepts within the focus of your chosen research topic. Whilst you should be able to demonstrate this through either your Bachelors or Master’s degree, it is also beneficial to also be able to show this through extra-curricular engagement, for example attending seminars or conferences. This will also get across your passion for Physics – a valuable addition to your application as supervisors are looking for committed students.

It is advisable to make informal contact with the project supervisors for any positions you are interested in prior to applying formally. This is a good chance for you to understand more about the Physics department and project itself. Contacting the supervisor also allows you to build a rapport, demonstrate your interest, and see if the project and potential supervisor are a good fit for you. Some universities require you to provide additional evidence to support your application. These can include:

• University certificates and transcripts (translated to English if required)
• Academic CV
• Covering Letter
• English certificate – for international students

How Much Does a Physics PhD Degree Typically Cost?

Annual tuition fees for a PhD in Physics in the UK are approximately £4,000 to £5,000 per year for home (UK) students and are around £22,000 per year for overseas students. This, alongside the standard range in tuition fees that you can expect, is summarised below:

Note: The EU students are considered International from the start of the 2021/22 academic year.

Due to the experimental nature of Physics programmes, research students not funded by UK research councils may also be required to pay a bench fee . Bench fees are additional fees to your tuition, which covers the cost of travel, laboratory materials, computing equipment or resources associated with your research. For physics research students in particular this is likely to involve training in specialist software, laboratory administration, material and sample ordering, and computing upkeep.

What Specific Funding Opportunities Are There for A PhD in Physics?

As a PhD applicant, you may be eligible for a loan of up to £25,700. You can apply for a PhD loan if you’re ordinarily resident in the UK or EU, aged 60 or under when the course starts and are not in receipt of Research Council funding.

Research Councils provide funding for research in the UK through competitive schemes. These funding opportunities cover doctoral students’ tuition fees and sometimes include an additional annual maintenance grant. The Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) is a government agency that funds scientific research in the UK. Applications for EPSRC funding should be made directly to the EPSRC, but some Universities also advertise EPSRC funded PhD studentships on their website. The main funding body for Physics PhD studentships is EPSRC’s group on postgraduate support and careers, which has responsibility for postgraduate student support.

The Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) funds a large range of projects in Physics and Astronomy. To apply for funding students must locate the relevant project, contact the host institution for details of the postdoctoral researcher they wish to approach and then apply directly to them.

You can use DiscoverPhD’s database to search for a PhD studentship in Physics now.

What Specific Skills Will You Get from a PhD in Physics?

PhD doctorates possess highly marketable skills which make them strong candidates for analytical and strategic roles. The following skills in particular make them attractive prospects to employers in research, finance and consulting:

• Strong numerical skills
• Strong analytical skills
• Laboratory experience
• Application of theoretical concepts to real world problems

Aside from this, postgraduate students will also get transferable skills that can be applied to a much wider range of careers. These include:

• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Great attention to detail
• Collaboration and teamwork
• Independent thinking

What Jobs Can I Get with a PhD in Physics?

The wide range of specialties within Physics courses alone provides a number of job opportunities, from becoming a meteorologist to a material scientist. However, one of the advantages Physics doctorates have over other doctorates is their studies often provide a strong numerical and analytical foundation. This opens a number of career options outside of traditional research roles. Examples of common career paths Physics PostDocs take are listed below:

Academia – A PhD in Physics is a prerequisite for higher education teaching roles in Physics (e.g. University lecturer). Many doctorates opt to teach and supervise students to continue their contribution to research. This is popular among those who favour the scientific nature of their field and wish to pursue theoretical concepts.

PostDoc Researcher – Other postdoctoral researchers enter careers in research, either academic capacity i.e. researching with their University, or in industry i.e. with an independent organisation. Again, this is suited to those who wish to continue learning, enjoy collaboration and working in an interdisciplinary research group, and also offers travel opportunities for international conferences.

Astronomy – Astronomers study the universe and often work with mathematical formulas, computer modelling and theoretical concepts to predict behaviours. A PhD student in this field may work as astrobiologists, planetary geologists or government advisors.

Finance – As mentioned previously, analytical and numerical skills are the backbone of the scientific approach, and the typical postgraduate research programme in Physics is heavily reliant on numeracy. As such, many PostDocs are found to have financial careers. Financial roles typically offer lucrative salaries.

Consulting – Consulting firms often consider a doctoral student with a background in Physics for employment as ideal for consultancy, based on their critical thinking and strategic planning skills.

How Much Can You Earn with A PhD in Physics?

Data from the HESA is presented below which presents the salary band of UK domiciled leaver (2012/13) in full-time paid UK employment with postgraduate qualifications in Physical Studies:

With a doctoral physics degree, your earning potential will mostly depend on your chosen career path. Due to the wide range of options, it’s impossible to provide an arbitrary value for the typical salary you can expect. However, if you pursue one of the below paths or enter their respective industry, you can roughly expect to earn:

Academic Lecturer

• Approximately £30,000 – £35,000 starting salary
• Approximately £40,000 with a few years experience
• Approximately £45,000 – £55,000 with 10 years experience
• Approximately £60,000 and over with significant experience and a leadership role. Certain academic positions can earn over £80,000 depending on the management duties.

Actuary or Finance

• Approximately £35,000 starting salary
• Approximately £45,000 – £55,000 with a few years experience
• Approximately £70,000 and over with 10 years experience
• Approximately £180,000 and above with significant experience and a leadership role.

Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering

• Approximately £28,000 starting salary
• Approximately £35,000 – £40,000 with a few years experience
• Approximately £60,000 and over with 10 years experience

Data Analyst

• Approximately £45,000 – £50,000 with a few years experience
• Approximately £90,000 and above with significant experience and a leadership role.

Geophysicist

• Approximately £28,000 – £35,000 starting salary
• Approximately £40,000 – £65,000 with a few years’ experience
• Approximately £80,000 and over with significant experience and a leadership role

Medical Physicist

• Approximately £27,500 – £30,000 starting salary
• Approximately £30,000 – £45,000 with a few years’ experience
• Approximately £50,000 and over with significant experience and a leadership role

Meteorologist

• Approximately £20,000 – £25,000 starting salary
• Approximately £25,000 – £35,000 with a few years’ experience
• Approximately £45,000 and over with significant experience and a leadership role

Again, we stress that the above are indicative values only. Actual salaries will depend on the specific organisation and position and responsibilities of the individual.

UK Physics PhD Statistics

The Higher Education Statistics Agency has an abundance of useful statistics and data on higher education in the UK. We have looked at the data from the Destination of Leavers 2016/17 survey to provide information specific for Physics Doctorates:

The graph below shows the destination of 2016/17 leavers with research based postgraduate qualifications in physical sciences. This portrays a very promising picture for Physics doctorates, with 92% of leavers are in work or further study.

The table below presents the destination (sorted by standard industrial classification) of 1015 students entering employment in the UK with doctorates in Physical Studies, from 2012/13 to 2016/17. It can be seen that PhD postdocs have a wide range of career paths, though jobs in education, professional, scientific and technical activities, and manufacturing are common.

Noteworthy people with a PhD in Physics

Glassdoor PayScale Indeed TotalJobs

Browse PhDs Now

Join thousands of students.

Join thousands of other students and stay up to date with the latest PhD programmes, funding opportunities and advice.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Graduate Programs

You asked and we'll answer!  Check out these FAQ's for applicants to our  Ph.D., M.E., S.M., and A.B./S.M. programs.

Visit the Harvard Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (GSAS) FAQ's  for even more information.   Applicants to the Master in Design Engineering should go  here  for more information.   Applicants to the MS/MBA:Engineering Sciences program should go  here  for more information.

Application Questions

We offer admission into the  Ph.D.  in the following four areas:  Applied Mathematics , Applied Physics , Computer Science , and Engineering Sciences. Engineering Sciences includes Bioengineering, Electrical Engineering , Environmental Science and Engineering , and Materials Science and Mechanical Engineering .

Note: we do not offer admission into terminal masters degrees in any of these areas.

We offer admission into the  Master of Science (S.M.)  in the following two areas:  Computational Science and Engineering and Data Science .

We offer admission into the  Master of Engineering (M.E.)  only in Computational Science and Engineering .

SEAS offers the following collaborative options: 

• Health Sciences and Technology graduate program , with Harvard Medical School and MIT (for Ph.D. students only)
• Master in Design Engineering (M.D.E.)  with the Harvard Graduate School of Design (GSD) (masters degree only; application via GSD)
• MS/MBA :Engineering Sciences jointly offered with Harvard Business School (HBS) (masters degree only; application via HBS)

While there is no perfect set of criteria for admission, we especially look for candidates who:

• Have a strong interest in and great potential for undertaking research
• Have excellent grades, e.g., in the range of A to A- in their undergraduate, and if applicable, graduate programs
• Have solid preparation in coursework and research experience (e.g., a strong plan of study at a respected university)
• Obtain recommendation letters from distinguished people who (a) know your work and (b) know what is expected at a major research university.   The strongest letters speak in specific terms about your preparation and aptitude to conduct research at a major university

As of the Fall 2023 admissions cycle, applicants may submit two applications to SEAS only if one is for a PhD degree and one is for a master’s (SM or ME) degree. Each application must be unique, containing a separate statement of purpose, transcripts, recommendations, and TOEFL or IELTS test scores.  Multiple applications to the SEAS masters or PhD programs will result in the additional applications being withdrawn.  Students may also apply to a SEAS program and a non-SEAS program in the Harvard Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences in the same admissions season. It is Harvard Griffin Graduate School policy that an individual may submit no more than three applications to GSAS during the course of his or her academic career. 

Applicants to the School of Engineering are responsible for fulfilling the requirements listed  here  and also on the Harvard Griffin GSAS Admissions Checklist .

We have two application deadlines; one for students applying to our PhD program and one for students applying to any of our terminal masters programs.  We cannot accept late applications, so be sure you apply on time!

December 1, 2023 is the application deadline for students submitting an application to one of our S.M., M.E., or AB-SM programs.    

December 15, 2023 is the application deadline for students submitting an application to one of our PhD programs.   

Note these deadlines do not apply to our MS/MBA: Engineering Sciences nor Master in Design Engineering programs.

-Students interested in the Master in Design Engineering with the Harvard Graduate School of Design will find information about applying to that program  here .

-Students interested in the MS/MBA: Engineering Sciences program offered jointly with Harvard Business School will find information about applying to that program  here.

The application fee is required to process the application. If you would like to request a fee waiver, you may do so in the Application Fee section of the application. More about the fee waiver process is here .

We encourage serious-minded candidates (i.e. those who have a clear sense of what they would like to do and with whom they would like to work) to get in touch with relevant faculty to discuss their research plans.  Generally speaking, email is the best way to reach out to faculty.  Bear in mind that our faculty receive numerous emails from prospective students and they may not be able to personally respond to all inquiries they receive.

The Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS) does not accept the General GRE scores nor Subject Test GRE scores for applicants to our Ph.D. programs or masters degree programs in Computational Science & Engineering and Data Science.  Applicants to these programs should not submit official or unofficial GRE scores to us nor mention them anywhere in their application materials.  

Either the GRE or GMAT is required for applicants applying to the Master of Design Engineering or the MS/MBA: Engineering Sciences programs.   The applications for these programs are available via the Graduate School of Design or Harvard Business School, respectively.

Note: this policy was officially changed in August 2020 and is in effect for the Fall 2023 admissions cycle.  

When requesting official score reports from ETS for the TOEFL, indicate the receiving institution as Harvard University Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, Code 3451. There is no department code; you may leave it blank.

To check the status of your application, you may log on to your online application account and see what materials have been received and what materials are still missing. The School of Engineering cannot provide information regarding the status of your application or supporting materials, as all materials are submitted to the Harvard Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (GSAS).  The contact information for Harvard Griffin GSAS is:

• PHONE: Please call the GSAS by phone between the hours of 2:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time (EST), Monday through Friday, at 617.496.6100.
• EMAIL: Please email GSAS at  [email protected]  with the SUBJECT LINE and information for the message as noted below. Please allow 24 to 48 hours for a response.
• SUBJECT LINE: Enter “ADMISSIONS QUESTION: CHECKING APPLICATION STATUS” in the subject line exactly as is and in all caps.
• MESSAGE (BODY OF EMAIL): Include your Name, Date of Birth, Program of Interest, and a note that you are checking the status of your application

We do not offer rolling admissions. New students are admitted once a year, to begin studying in the fall.

Decisions on deferral requests to our PhD programs are made on a case-by-case basis and only after an admitted student has accepted our offer of admission.    We do not grant deferrals for our terminal masters programs except in cases with extenuating circumstances. We do not grant deferrals for our masters programs for reasons related to employment or financing the cost of the program.

Applicants are required to upload copies of all transcripts into the online application system; these are usually in PDF format.  Official transcripts are not required at the time of application; applicants may upload unofficial transcripts for the purposes of the application.  

SEAS does not have a formal transfer application process and we do not admit "transfer students."   All admitted students begin our program as first year graduate students.  All students complete the standard Harvard Griffin GSAS graduate application. After entering the program, Ph.D. students may submit a petition to transfer in coursework as explained below.

If you have any additional questions about admissions to graduate programs at SEAS, please contact the SEAS Graduate Admissions Office via email at  [email protected] . 

Questions about the Master in Design Engineering should be directed to  [email protected] .

Questions about the MS/MBA with Harvard Business School should be directed to  [email protected] .

You may apply to a SEAS master’s program if you already have a master’s degree from another institution.

Program/Requirements Questions

The degree requirements for the Ph.D., S.M., and M.E. are available here.  The S.M. and M.E. in Computational Science and Engineering have additional requirements, which are available  here .   The additional requirements for the S.M. in Data Science are available  here .

• The  Bachelor of Arts and Master of Science (A.B./S.M.)  is a joint degree program offered to  currently enrolled Harvard College students only .    
• The Master of Science (S.M.) degree is a coursework (non-research) based degree and no thesis, foreign language, or general examination is required.  We offer the S.M. in two areas: Computational Science and Engineering (CSE) and Data Science.  The S.M. in CSE is a one year (two terms) degree.  The S.M. in Data Science is a one and a half year (three terms) degree  
• The Master of Engineering (M.E.) degree program is a research based degree and no foreign language or general examination is required.  Students are expected to successfully complete one year of course work and one year of research, including a final oral presentation and thesis, for a total of sixteen letter-graded courses/research courses. This is a two year degree. We offer the M.E. in Computational Science and Engineering only.

Graduate students are expected to be full time. Students may petition to change their status to part-time study only in cases with extenuating circumstances, such as health concerns or a serious family emergency.  

All degree programs at the School of Engineering require that coursework be completed in residence.  (Note:  due to COVID-19, courses may be moved to a remote delivery platform for the Fall 2020 term.   This is an exception given the pandemic.)       

For non-credit online SEAS courses, please visit Harvard’s initiative, edX at  https://www.edx.org/ , for information on free online courses offered by MIT and Harvard University.

The  Harvard Extension School  offers Master’s degree programs in various fields in science and technology areas, as well as professional certificate programs in Nanotechnology, Software Engineering and Web technologies. Some of these courses may be taken online.  The Harvard Extension School and School of Engineering are wholly separate schools within Harvard University.   Note that SEAS does not allow coursework taken at the Extension School it count toward our graduate degrees.

All SEAS Ph.D. students must take 10 courses toward the doctoral degree.  Each area has "Area Course Requirements, Guidelines, and Model Programs", which provide a good idea of the kinds of courses taken by students in Applied Physics versus the kinds of courses taken by students in Materials Science and Mechanical Engineering (for example.)   Visit each area's page to see information specific to their area requirements.

Students must decide, based on their own interests and future plans, whether an Applied Physics degree or an Engineering Sciences degree is a better fit.

Note: admitted students can petition to change their degree program after they arrive, providing they have appropriate support from their faculty adviser, an approved program plan in the new area, and the approval of the Committee on Higher Degrees.

It depends.  Our Ph.D. students are expected to have a primary research advisor who is a member of the School's ladder faculty.  Students are allowed to have a co-advisor from departments/schools external to SEAS, but the SEAS ladder faculty member is expected to be the lead advisor and chair the dissertation committee.    All first year students must have an advisor who is a member of the SEAS ladder faculty.  " Affiliate faculty" cannot admit PhD students.   There are many SEAS ladder faculty with formal joint appointments in other GSAS departments, like Physics and Earth and Planetary Sciences.  These faculty can serve as primary research advisors to SEAS students.   A complete list of the SEAS ladder faculty can be found  here - filter for "primary graduate advisors" once you're on this page. 

Yes, but it requires a new, complete application.  Students admitted to SEAS cannot simply transfer to another department within the Harvard Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (GSAS).  Students are welcome to apply to another Harvard Griffin GSAS department should they decide it’s a better fit, but that requires submitting a complete application to that department during the admissions cycle.  There is not a separate process for students who wish to “transfer” from one Harvard Griffin GSAS department to another.  More information can be found  here.

For Ph.D. students, transfers from one SEAS area to another SEAS area are handled internally. SEAS Ph.D. degrees areas include Applied Mathematics, Applied Physics, Computer Science, and Engineering Sciences, which encompasses Bioengineering, Electrical Engineering, Environmental Science & Engineering, and Materials Science & Mechanical Engineering.

Masters students cannot change degree areas within SEAS.

“Maybe” for Ph.D. students and “no” for masters students.  Ph.D. students can petition for up to three classes taken elsewhere while enrolled in a graduate program to count toward the Ph.D. degree.   All "transfer" courses must be approved by the student's faculty advisor and the Committee on Higher Degrees after the student begins graduate study.

Courses taken while in an undergraduate program, even if they are graduate level, cannot be used for this purpose.  Any coursework you wish to petition to transfer must have been taken while enrolled in a graduate program. Our master’s degree programs do not allow for any transfer courses.

International Student Questions

Please visit  GSAS Oral English Language Requirement  for information about our proficiency requirements.

80 is the minimum score on the TOEFL's Internet-based Test (iBT).  

Applicants may opt to take the  IELTS  test instead of the TOEFL. A minimum score of 6.5 is required.

TOEFL/IELTS scores are valid for no longer than two years.  If you are applying for admission for fall 2024, you may submit scores from tests taken no earlier than January 5, 2022.   Applicants must order scores and have them sent to GSAS before the scores expire.

GSAS welcomes applications for admission from individuals holding a BA, BS, or equivalent undergraduate degree (for prospective international students, a three- or four-year undergraduate degree from an institution of recognized standing) and actively seeks applicants from groups historically  underrepresented in graduate schools . All degree candidates are admitted for full-time study beginning in the fall term.

Students who are unsure of the US equivalency of their degree(s) should consult a reputable credential evaluation service.

Please contact the  Graduate School of Arts and Sciences  if you have any additional questions.

Please visit   GSAS Oral English Language Requirement  for information about our proficiency requirements.

80 is the minimum score on the TOEFL's Internet-based Test (iBT).  GSAS policy is that the TOEFL score must be valid  at the time of entry into the program .   TOEFL scores expire after two years.

Applicants may opt to take the  IELTS  test instead of the TOEFL. A minimum score of 6.5 is required. GSAS policy is that the IELTS score must be valid  at the time of entry into the program .   IELTS scores expire after two years. Results should be sent to Harvard University, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences by the IELTS test center via IELTS E-Delivery service.

• Offline MS(R) form
• Offline Ph.D form
• Non joining form
• Other student related forms
• Parent Login
• Checkmail Roundcube
• Checkmail Squirrelmail
• Internal Web
• Dual Degree
• Undergraduate
• Postgraduate
• Research Areas
• Transcripts / Degree / Verification
• Visiting Student & Professional Candidate
• List of Chairman of DRC/CRC
• List of Convenor of DRC/CRC
• Academic Circulars
• Board of Academic Programmes
• List of Dept./Centre/School

Academics Administration

• Associate Dean
• Deputy Registrar
• Assistant Registrar

Minimum Qualifications for admission to Full-time PhD Programmes

Table 1 defines the minimum qualifications required for admission to full-time Ph. D. programmes at IIT Delhi. Please note:

These are Institute minimum requirements and any Department/Centre/School operating through their DRC/CRC/SRC can specify higher short-listing criteria than what is specified here.

This table includes most of the degrees, but each DRC/CRC/SRC is free to specify the qualifications and disciplines acceptable for admission to their programmes.

Candidates in the final year of their programmes and who expect to complete all their qualifying degree requirements before the date of registration are also eligible to apply for admissions. For short-listing purposes, their performance until the preceding semester (preceding year if their programmes are year based) would be considered but their admission would be provisional, subject to their meeting the minimum eligibility criteria after their final qualifying examination results are announced. In any case, all admissions are provisional at first and it is confirmed only after all certificates and previous records are duly checked and verified, a process which may take a few weeks into the starting semester.

Table 1: Minimum Qualification for Admission to full-time PhD Programmes

Exemptions, relaxations and clarifications:.

For SC/ST/PwD category candidates , the minimum performance in the qualifying degree (S. No. 1 & 2 in Table 1) is relaxed from 60% to 55% (CGPA relaxed from 6.00 to 5.50).

For SC/ST/PwD category candidates , the minimum performance in the qualifying degree (Sr. No.3 in Table 1) is relaxed from 70% to 65% (CGPA relaxed from 7.00 to 6.50).

Qualifying degree performance is computed by aggregating performance over all the semesters/years of the qualifying degree, as per the credit or weightage system approved in the institution/ board where the degree has been completed.

Requirement of qualification in GATE / National Exam is waived for the following categories of applicants:

Currently registered students in Centrally Funded Technical Institutes (CFTIs) pursuing B.Tech./B.E./ Integrated M. Tech/ Integrated M.Sc. Programmes (or any other programme of minimum four year duration, admission to which is on the basis of JEE), who have completed 6 semesters or more, and have CGPA of 8.00 or above (on a 10 point scale). Such students must obtain a CGPA of 8.00 or above at the time of graduation, and before they formally register for the Ph.D. programme (80% aggregate marks, if marks are the primary mode of evaluation);

Graduates of CFTIs (in the programmes marked under (i)) with a final graduation CGPA of more than 8.00 (80% aggregate marks, if marks are the primary mode of evaluation);

M.A or M.Sc. graduates from IITs with CGPA 8.00 or above.

For purposes of shortlisting, the primary method of evaluation (i.e., CGPA/CPI, or aggregate percentage, whichever is appropriate) followed by the institution where candidate has obtained his/her qualifying degree will be used by IIT Delhi for determining whether the candidate meets the final shortlisting requirements.

For assistantship purposes only (and not for qualification), candidates with M.B.B.S. qualification will be considered equivalent to M. Tech., for admission to Ph.D. programme in Centre for Biomedical Engineering;

For candidates with M.A. degree in English, a 5% relaxation in marks or 0.5 relaxation in CGPA may be permitted for admission to the Ph.D. programme in Humanities and Social Sciences;

Candidates holding an MBA degree are eligible for applying to the Ph.D. programme in the Department of Management Studies.

Select Language

Students related.

• CGPA Conversion Certificate
• Scholarships/Fellowships
• Travel Awards
• External Research & Travel Grant
• Inviting Online Applications
• Research Scholar Travel Award
• Research Excellence Travel Award
• Prime Ministers Research Fellowship Annual Research Grant

Undergraduate Contacts

Student Services Specialist

Director Undergraduate Studies

choosingphysics [at] stanford.edu (Pre-Major Advising)

Engineering Physics

What is engineering physics.

Engineering Physics prepares students to apply physics to tackle 21st century engineering challenges, and to apply engineering to address 21st century questions in physics.

Although the Engineering Physics is a relatively new program at Stanford (it was introduced around 2006), it has a long history at a number of universities; see the list at the bottom of this page for examples.  You can read about Stanford's Engineering Physics major in detail in the  Stanford Engineering Handbook .

What is the difference between engineering physics and other majors in engineering?

The fundamental difference between Engineering Physics and other Engineering majors is that in Engineering Physics students study the same advanced physics topics as physics majors -- in particular, at least two quarters of quantum mechanics and at least one quarter of statistical mechanics.  Most engineering students (other than engineering physics students) would take these courses only as graduate students (or not at all).  An Engineering Physics degree prepares students to work in the private sector or in national laboratories at the very forefront of technology, or to pursue an advanced degree in engineering.  An Engineering Physics degree also prepares students to pursue an advanced degree in physics;  other engineering majors do not.  Industries that need people with very strong scientific backgrounds recognize the Engineering Physics major and what it stands for.

What are some of the practical differences for a student pursuing engineering physics rather than physics at Stanford?

The requirements for the Physics major add up to just over 80 units;  the Engineering Physics major requires ~105 units because of the extra engineering courses students take. 

There are some really great engineering courses (e.g., ME 203 or ME 210; see the  Course Bulletin ) that have limited enrollment.  Students can take these courses if they are declared Engineering Physics majors;  it would be more difficult for a Physics major to enroll in these courses.

Students who know they want to pursue formal theoretical physics should pursue a major in Physics (and perhaps double-major in Math), rather than doing Engineering Physics.  Students interested in experimental physics or 21st century technology should consider Physics or Engineering Physics. The courses a student would take in the Freshman year are basically the same whether they are considering a major in Physics, Engineering Physics, or any other engineering major.

What can I do with a degree in engineering physics?

A significant fraction (over half) of both Physics and Engineering Physics majors go on to pursue advanced degrees (Masters or PhD) in engineering or physics.  Engineering Physics majors tend to work on forefront ideas in technology and science, in either industry or academia. Areas might include aerospace, biophysics, medical physics, renewable energy (photovoltaics, battery technology, fuel cells, ...), transportation, quantum information science, semiconductors, or materials development. Careers could also include systems engineering, teaching, medicine, law (especially intellectual property or patent law), science writing, history of science, philosophy of science, science policy, energy policy, government, or management in technical fields.

The Physics and Engineering Physics majors are great preparation for almost any career, because they teach students how to analyze complex problems and they give students a strong quantitative background that can be applied in any technical field.

How can I learn more about career in physics-related fields?

You can find information on careers in physics, engineering physics and related fields at these very useful sites:

• American Institute of Physics Statistical Research Center
• American Physical Society, Careers in Physics
• Sloan Career Cornerstone Center

Do other universities offer degrees in engineering physics?

Here is a sampling of Engineering Physics programs in North America:

• Princeton University
• Harvard University  (Engineering Physics is a 'track' within Engineering Sciences in the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences at Harvard.)
• UC Berkeley  (This is a program within  Engineering Science .)
• Colorado School of Mines  (Engineering Physics is the only undergraduate degree offered by the Dept of Physics at  CSM .)
• Cornell University  (This undergraduate program is within the  School of Applied and Engineering Physics .)
• University of Toronto  (Engineering Science)
• U of Wisconsin
• U of British Columbia
• Case Western Reserve
• Ohio State University
• Santa Clara University

With whom should I meet for pre-major advising in engineering physics?

Contact  Prof. Pat Burchat  in Physics or  Prof. Mark Cappelli  in Mechanical Engineering. Professors Burchat and Cappelli serve as co-directors for the Engineering Physics major. They can help you determine whether the major is a good match to your interests and work with you to sketch a four-year plan.

For a list of the advisors for each of the Engineering Physics specialties see the  Engineering Physics web page .

Major and Minor links

• B.S. IN PHYSICS
• B.S. IN ENGINEERING PHYSICS
• MINOR IN PHYSICS
• MINOR IN ASTRONOMY

Engineering Physics

• Undergraduate Program

Introduction to the Major

The Engineering Science (ES) program is a multi-departmental and interdisciplinary undergraduate program that encompasses closely-related areas of the physical sciences, mathematics and engineering. Students in the ES program acquire knowledge of engineering methods and can pursue their interests in areas of natural science, as well as advanced study in engineering, science, or mathematics. Students choose one of four majors: energy engineering, engineering mathematics and statistics, engineering physics, or environmental engineering science. A minor in energy engineering is also offered .

“ The classes across a variety of departments have allowed me to take a very interdisciplinary approach to engineering. And the great community within this major has taught me how to work with a team .” -  T.G. Mekenzi Roberts, Energy Engineering Science, Class of 2020

ES Major Options 

Energy Engineering interweaves the fundamentals of classical and modern physics, chemistry, and mathematics with energy engineering applications.

Engineering Mathematics and Statistics is the s tudy of pure and applied mathematics as essential components of modern engineering. 

Engineering Physics interweaves classical and modern physics, chemistry, and mathematics with their engineering applications.

Environmental Engineering pairs engineering fundamentals with courses in the environmental and natural sciences.

Amplify Your Major

Get involved with a student group such as Society of Engineering Sciences .

Apply to GLOBE Ambassadors , a learning and travel program for Engineering students .

Pursue a research opportunity for Engineering students .

• Enrich your studies with a minor in Energy and Resources or Sustainability .
• Four-Year Student Timeline

Explore Your Major

Meet with your ESS advisor to discuss your academic plans .

Familiarize yourself with ma jor and college requirements .

Talk to an ES advisor about department programs and research opportunities .

Enroll in ENGIN 98: The Insider's Guide to Berkeley Engineering .

Connect and Build Community

Take advantage of tutoring and workshops for Engineering students .

Find academic support at the Student Learning Center and Center for Access to Engineering Excellence .

Find student opportunities in the ESS newsletter and new student podcast .

Discover Your Passions

Browse research taking place in Engineering centers, institutes, and labs .

Attend the Undergraduate Research and Scholarships Fair in October .

Discover new interests in a Freshman Seminar or student-run DeCal course .

Broaden your perspective by attending Newton Series or View from the Top lectures .

Engage Locally and Globally

Attend the Calapalooza student activities fair and get involved with a student organization .

Find service opportunities through the Public Service Center .

Connect with other students during Engineers Week .

Reflect and Plan Your Future

Visit Berkeley Career Engagement and the Career Counseling Library .

Sign up for Handshake and CareerMail .

Explore career resources on the Engineering website .

• Attend an ESS workshop to create a resume and LinkedIn page .

Second Year

Talk to ESS peer advisors about life in the major .

Meet with your ESS advisor to discuss your academic progress .

Complete lower division prerequisites and start planning your upper division courses .

• Plan now if considering a double major , simultaneous degree , minor , or study abroad .

Join an Engineering student group such as Society of Engineering Sciences .

Get to know Engineering professors and graduate student instructors during their office hours .

Find study space and resources in the Kresge Engineering Library .

Consider pursuing a research opportunity for Engineering and ES students .

Apply to a REU research program. Check Berkeley Lab and UCSF for more research options .

Check out design and maker opportunities at the Jacobs Institute .

Work with a community organization in an American Cultures Engaged Scholarship course such as ENGIN 157AC .

Mentor local youth with Pioneers in Engineering, Berkeley Engineers and Mentors , or Engineering for Kids .

Discuss career options and goals with a Career Educator .

Explore career opportunities through a winter externship and informational interviews .

Learn about graduate and professional school .

• Pursue an internship and attend an internship career fair .

Focus on upper division requirements and electives .

Continue meeting with your ESS advisor to review your academic progress .

Submit paperwork for a double major, simultaneous degree, minor, or study abroad .

Give back by becoming an ESS peer advisor .

Join the Berkeley Engineering group on LinkedIn .

Explore student groups outside of Engineering, and deepen your involvement with an Engineering student group .

Explore your mission and impact as an Engineer through the LeaderShape Institute .

Consider the Sutardja Certificate in Entrepreneurship and Technology or a summer abroad through the European Innovation Academy .

Apply for a research opportunity if you haven’t done so already .

Take your engineering skills international through Engineers Without Borders .

Consider a Berkeley Global Internship such as the Engineering Internship in Toronto .

Experience life at another UC or college on a visitor and exchange program .

• Planning a summer internship abroad? Apply for travel funding from GLOBE Scholars .

Attend career and graduate school fairs such as the STEM Career & Internship Fair .

Discuss graduate school options with advisors and professors .

Sign up for a ESS career workshop , networking dinner , or career conference .

• Make an advising appointment in ESS and explore options such as 5th year MS, MEng, and PhD .

Fourth Year

Meet with your ESS advisor to do an official degree check and plan for your final year .

Complete any “bucket list” courses and remaining major, college, and campus requirements .

Join a professional association such as the Association of Energy Engineers or American Physical Society .

Continue attending tutoring and workshops, and reading the weekly ESS newsletter .

Connect with alumni groups and leverage your network as you prepare to graduate .

Teach your own DeCal course .

Consider being an instructor for ENGIN 98 .

Continue to pursue your interests through a fellowship or gap year after graduation .

• Choose your post-baccalaureate plans based upon your intended mission and impact as an Engineer .

Serve as a student representative on a college committee .

Hone your leadership skills with the Peter E. Haas Public Service Leaders program .

Explore service opportunities after graduation, such as Peace Corps , Teach for America , or U.S. Department of State .

Ask professors and graduate student instructors for recommendation letters .

Utilize job board tools in your job search.  Meet employers at Employer Info Sessions and On-Campus Recruiting .

Attend the job offer negotiation workshop in ESS .

• Apply to jobs, graduate school, and other opportunities .

What Can I Do With My Major?

Graduates in Engineering Science gain a broad foundation for graduate studies in theoretical branches of engineering, as well as in mathematics, and are prepared for careers in specific sectors of industry or business, such as green technology, solar engineering, and environmental firms to name a few.

Jobs and Employers

Data Engineer, Capital One

Data Scientist, Barclays Capital 

Engineer, Northrop Grumman

Hybrid Calibration Engineer, General Motors

Project Coordinator, Climate Corps

Software Engineer, Primus Power

Project Engineer, New Energy Equity 

Research Assistant, California Institute of Technology

Graduate Programs

Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical Artificial Intelligence and Robotics, PhD

Atomic/Molecular Physics, PhD

Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering, Masters

Engineering, Masters

Materials Engineering, PhD

Physics, PhD

Examples gathered from the First Destination Survey of recent Berkeley graduates .

Connect With Us

Come to Berkeley’s annual Open House in April for information sessions, campus tours, special talks, and more .

Golden Bear Orientation

Join your peers in the campus-wide UC Berkeley orientation program for all new students .

Attend program events with students, staff, and faculty. Visit engineeringscience.berkeley.edu for news and updates .

Visit Engineering Student Services in 230 Bechtel  for advising on academic difficulty, change of major/double majors/simultaneous degrees, withdrawal/readmission, degree completion, education abroad, academic progress, and petitions and exceptions. See engineering.berkeley.edu/students/advising-counseling/ .

Contact the ES Undergraduate Advisor at [email protected] about registration, departmental policy, and campus resources. Meet with an ES Faculty Advisor about coursework, careers in ES, graduate school, letters of recommendation, and summer internships. See engineeringscience.berkeley.edu/faculty/

How to Use this Map

Use this map to help plan and guide your experience at UC Berkeley, including academic, co-curricular, and discovery opportunities. Everyone’s Berkeley experience is different and activities in this map are suggestions. Always consult with your advisors whenever possible for new opportunities and updates.

• What Can I Do with My Major?

Download the PDF Print Version

What You Can Do With a Physics Degree

A physics degree can lead to a career as an inventor, researcher or teacher.

What Can You Do With a Physics Degree?

Getty Images

Physics contains many subfields including astrophysics, biophysics and chemical physics.

The real-world applications of physics – an area of science that focuses on the interplay between matter and energy – are so numerous that it is difficult to imagine a technology that doesn't involve physics in some way.

Physics degree recipients graduate with highly marketable skills in math, data analysis and predictive modeling, often finding lucrative employment in the business world.

The Influence of Physics on Society

Simple mechanical devices such as pulleys and levers, as well as complex modern machines like quantum computers and nuclear reactors, would be impossible to create without the use of physics .

Physics lies at the root of many inventions that have had an enormous impact on the everyday life of the average person. There are numerous ordinary objects that people use regularly that rely on the science of physics to function, including semiconductors, lasers, X-rays, GPS devices, radio transmitters and bar code scanners.

Transportation vehicles such as automobiles, airplanes and space shuttles could not be constructed without the help of physics experts. Physics is also useful for military purposes, informing the design of weapons. Many of the scientists responsible for inventing the atomic bomb were physicists, and today physicists are involved in the creation of nuclear weapons.

Physics is integral for space travel, so some astronauts have a credential in this field. This academic discipline is also necessary for explaining and investigating the origins and mechanics of the universe, so it should come as no surprise that legendary space scientists Stephen Hawking, Jocelyn Bell Burnell, Carl Sagan and Neil deGrasse Tyson all studied physics.

Physicists Who Changed the World

Anyone contemplating a physics degree who is wondering if he or she will be able to use that degree in a meaningful way should study a bit of history. Some of the most accomplished individuals of all time studied physics.

Famous physics degree recipients include legendary innovators such as two-time Nobel Prize laureate Marie Curie – who discovered radioactive elements along with her Nobel-winning husband Pierre Curie and contributed enormously to scientific understanding of radioactivity – and Nobel Prize recipient Albert Einstein, creator of the theory of relativity. Richard Feynman, a Nobel laureate who transformed the way the world understands light, was also a physics scholar.

There are also influential living individuals who have physics degrees, such as serial entrepreneur Elon Musk – founder of the SpaceX aerospace company and co-founder of the Tesla electric automobile firm – and Lene Hau, an applied physicist who pioneered how to slow down and even stop the movement of light.

The Many Types of Physics

The field of physics has increased human understanding of sound, light and heat, and it has enhanced knowledge about electricity, gravity, magnetism and mechanical forces. Physicists can focus on topics ranging from tiny objects like atoms and subatomic particles to enormous things like planets and galaxies. It is a complicated academic discipline that addresses scientific inquiries ranging from the quest to discover the most minuscule particles within atoms to investigations into the behavior of black holes. The field also encompasses debates about the nature of dark matter and controversies about the nature of time.

"Broadly, the three areas of physics are theory, computation, and experiment," Effrosyni Seitaridou, an associate professor of physics at Emory University 's Oxford College in Georgia, explained in an email. "Each subfield of physics contains these three areas."

She notes that physics has many subfields including:

• Astronomy and astrophysics.
• Biophysics.
• Chemical physics.
• Engineering physics.
• Geophysics.
• Medical physics.
• Particle physics.
• Quantum computing.

Seitaridou notes that some interdisciplinary subfields of physics integrate natural science with social science, such as psychophysics. Psychophysics focuses on the influence of physical events on a person's perceptions and thought processes.

Physics Jobs

According to a PowerPoint presentation about physics careers published by Crystal Bailey, career programs manager at the nonprofit American Physical Society, physics degree-holders wind up in a wide range of jobs, many outside of academia. Physics grads often work in the private sector and sometimes at government laboratories.

Salary data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that the median annual salary among U.S. physicists as of May 2019 was $122,850.

Moreover, a report from the American Institute of Physics shows that workers with college degrees in physics routinely use the skills they acquired through their physics education, such as solving technical problems and working productively on a team.

Physics majors routinely collaborate with classmates when conducting lab experiments, and physics faculty say that this experience prepares students for group projects in the workplace. Individuals with physics degrees also tend to have strong quantitative abilities that make them attractive hires for profit-oriented employers, according to physics professors.

"Financial institutions are always on the lookout for physics majors since they have the perfect blend of strong math skills and the training in how to apply math to modeling real-life problems," Jed Macosko, a professor of physics at Wake Forest University in North Carolina, explained in an email.

He notes that physics majors have numerous career options. "The jobs available to physics graduates are more varied than what most science majors can find. They range from pure science, to engineering, to finance, to public policy, and, of course, to education."

The most lucrative employment opportunities for physics grads tend to involve either engineering or finance, Mocosko adds.

Here is a list of jobs where a physics degree might come in handy:

• Business analyst.
• Data analyst.
• Patent attorney.
• Physics researcher.
• Physics teacher or professor.
• Programmer.
• Project manager.

Abhijeet Narvekar, CEO of The FerVID Group, a Houston-based executive recruiting firm wrote that the oil and gas industry tends to hire physics grads because their knowledge can be applied "to different aspects of extracting oil."

A bachelor's degree in physics can provide a solid foundation for graduate school in a different discipline such as business, law or medicine, notes Rainer Martini, associate dean for graduate studies and associate professor of physics in the school of engineering and science at Stevens Institute of Technology in New Jersey.

Having a technical background in physics is useful for professions that combine science with another field. For example, one of Martini's students ended up working for a hedge fund and was tasked with figuring out which technologies were promising and worth investing in.

An advantage of studying physics, he suggests, is that it is easy to switch from one branch of physics to another because they are so interconnected.

Physics training can also help someone become an inventor or businessperson in the tech sector, Martini suggests.

"A physics degree is a great way to become an entrepreneur," he says, adding that physics education enables a person "to see a solution to a technological problem" that others might not see. "Suddenly, you have a potential really great product – a new invention – that can solve a need."

Searching for a grad school? Access our complete rankings of Best Graduate Schools.

Top 11 Global Universities for Physics

Tags: physics , education , students , graduate schools , colleges , STEM , STEM jobs

You May Also Like

Get accepted to multiple top b-schools.

Anayat Durrani May 16, 2024

Premeds and Emerging Medical Research

Zach Grimmett May 14, 2024

How to Get a Perfect Score on the LSAT

Gabriel Kuris May 13, 2024

Premeds Take 5 Public Health Courses

Rachel Rizal May 7, 2024

Fortune 500 CEOs With a Law Degree

Cole Claybourn May 7, 2024

Why It's Hard to Get Into Med School

A.R. Cabral May 6, 2024

Pros, Cons of Unaccredited Law Schools

Gabriel Kuris May 6, 2024

An MBA and Management Consulting

Sammy Allen May 2, 2024

Med School Access for Minority Students

Cole Claybourn May 2, 2024

Different jobs with med degree

Jarek Rutz April 30, 2024

Search This Blog

Physics after engineering.

To all those married to engineering, romancing physics

My Journey into Physics After Engineering - Vaibhav Sharma | PAE blog

Can I switch from Engineering to Physics? Is it possible to do a PhD in physics after B. Tech in engineering? Can I pursue physics after *put any branch* engineering? These are some of the questions I used to ask 3 years ago. Back then, I couldn’t find a clear answer. But if you are asking a similar question today,

I have found an answer and it is a resounding YES!!! Yes, you can do physics after engineering,

 in fact, you can do a ph.d. in physics after any branch of engineering., engineering days and the grind, the disappointment, m.sc physics - a shot in the arm, target achieved, about the author:.

Hello sir, As you mentioned, you got to do summer internship at IISER Bhopal, can you please give me a glimpse how you approached and guide me a bit about the procedure. Thanks.

Hi Kunal I simply emailed and got a reply. :) But bear in mind that the hit rate for replies was like 1 in 10-15. So email a lot of profs and you might just get lucky. Make sure that each email is personalized to that particular prof and not just mass mailing.

iam an ece student, is there any way to do mc in physics through gate rank in ece ? is there any chance pls kindly give information

You can go for IIST.They offer MS astrophysics program based on gate rank in ece.

can i get phd course in any college in india straight after my btech in cse

Do check all posts in the blog, many of your questions including this about direct PhD will be cleared. In case of any uncleared you can ask in the whatspp group or me directly

I checked jam 2019 minimum eligibility for msc physics in iit bombay, they want minimum 2 years physics and maths subjects. I am a cse graduate so i never had physics as a subject. What should i do??

Pls go through this https://physicsafterengineering.blogspot.com/2018/10/are-engineers-eligible-for-msc-physics.html?m=1

Hi Sir, I just read your blog. Your story is quite inspirational. I am a Mechanical engineering student. I got selected to do Integrated PhD course at ICTS-TIFR. I just wanted to know what is the reputation of ICTS internationally and what are the future options that I have after doing PhD at ICTS. Thanks, Chintan A. Patel

Sir, How can I get a chance to do internships abroad during my MSc course?

Can you please suggest some good sources for doing online physics courses? Are those sources credible to be put in my CV for applying abroad?? I mean are they recognised abroad?

Truly inspiring story, Vaibhav. Kudos to you! Thanks a lot for sharing this with the world. :)

sir , how did you study physics on your own ? i mean what course structure did you follow , which sites, books , lecture slides , whatsoever .

https://physicsafterengineering.blogspot.com/p/all-posts.html Vaibhav has written blog posts about his preparation for exams like JAM, PGRE and NET in seperate posts in our Blog. Kindly go through them.

Yes it is possible, please read all the relevant blogposts from the contents page.

Your story is very inspiring. Thanks for making the efforts of sharing this with us.

Sir you talk about internship. Is it necessary to getting working experience for getting admission ? can I not got through exam directly?

Hello , this is Kshitija. I am Pershing btech in computer science. But , I am interested in physics. I want to make my career into physics. So, as per rules of iits , I we don't have physics for 4 semesters. Then , should I apply for IIT JAM physics?? Or prefer to go abroad??? Please suggest available options. Your suggestions are highly appreciated.Thank you.

All engineers are made eligible for MSc Physics in IITs without any requirement for 4 semesters of Physics. Please refer to the official broucher in JAM 2021 website and check for yourself. Check the below post to find all the opportunities in physics after Engineering https://physicsafterengineering.blogspot.com/2018/03/physics-after-engineering.html

Wow. Thank you very much for this inspiration, which will likely affect a lot of decisions I will make.

Post a Comment

Find posts by category.

• Book Recommendations 12
• Interview Experiences 8
• Personal Journeys 7
• undergraduate 6
• Important 4
• Astro after Engineering 3
• Internships 3
• Online stuff recommendations 3
• CSIR NET physics 2

https://physicsafterengineering.

blogspot.com/p/blog-page.html

You can find the FAQs and important conversations happened earlier in the groups in this SubReddi t r/Physicsaftrengineerin/

https://www.reddit.com/r/Physicsaftrengineerin/

Mail me on [email protected] for further queries.

Popular posts from this blog

⭐all ways to do msc/phd physics after b.tech | pae blog, jam physics preperation by air-1 jam & jest rishabh, ⭐top bsc physics colleges| the best list on the internet, books for jest |air-6|chintan patel, tifr mumbai, best physics lectures for jam (complied by toppers) | pae blog, ⭐books for jam physics | air-6 | niket shah (iit-b) | pae blog, best physics books for jam (complied by toppers) | pae blog, jam, jest or tifr, which exam to prepare for | pae blog, a complete jam & jest prep. guide | air 22 jam & 54 jest | harshul gupta.

30,000+ students realised their study abroad dream with us. Take the first step today

Here’s your new year gift, one app for all your, study abroad needs, start your journey, track your progress, grow with the community and so much more.

Verification Code

An OTP has been sent to your registered mobile no. Please verify

Thanks for your comment !

Our team will review it before it's shown to our readers.

PhD after BTech

• Updated on  
• Apr 4, 2023

Pursuing a PhD after Btech is for those who have figured early out the answer to “ What to do after BTech? ”. A doctoral degree helps candidates discover advanced-level research opportunities after completing a Bachelor of Technology (BTech) program through the integrated or combined PhD route rather than completing a master’s degree and then applying for a doctoral program. Pursuing a PhD program, individuals can work under professors at universities and organisations that demand research scientists, and associates, amongst others for various projects. Here is a detailed guide on the various aspects of how you can pursue a PhD after BTech and delve deeper into the field of Research directly after graduation.

This Blog Includes:

Overview of combined/integrated master’s and phd, phd after btech: routes of applying, phd after btech: how to apply, background & gpa requirements, how to do phd after btech, phd after btech abroad, eligibility for phd after btech  , colleges offering phd after btech in india.

• What Next After BTech?
• Why MBA after BTech?

In many universities, professors encourage students to pursue research by providing them with necessary exploratory tools and techniques. Further, integrated MS/PhD degree programs are also offered by many academic institutions and these courses have a comprehensive research-oriented curriculum and are designed with flexible duration ranging from 3-6 years and even 10 years. The course also encourages practical experience through research assistantships, projects and fellowships. Increasingly popular in the US, this degree is now being steadily offered at institutions all across the globe. 

Also Read: Integrated PhD

Individuals looking to pursue a PhD after Btech can either follow the traditional application process or opt for direct faculty recommendations. While the former has been discussed below, the latter involves reaching to faculty members of a university department directly. Typically considered as an informal path, the method of direct recommendation can lead to an admission offer if the research interests align, the professor is impressed by your projects and is willing to recommend the candidate to the admissions department of a university. Many professors at elite institutions invite candidates through this method.

The process of applying for a PhD after a B.Tech, apart from the method of direct faculty recommendation, is a simple one. While a prior background and coursework in Physical Sciences, Natural Sciences, Mathematics or relevant Engineering branches is a must, relevant industry experience, research projects are undertaken and extra-curricular activities are also preferred. While many universities adhere to the above criteria of admission, a considerable number of institutions do not have any restrictions as to eligibility conditions whatsoever. It is advised that prospective students get in touch with Leverage Edu experts and know about the exact specifications and updated information about their chosen program and university.

Admission to most programs of PhD after BTech prescribe a strong background related to the specific intended field of study. Common requirements include familiarity with advanced mathematical concepts like algebra, calculus etc, economics, software proficiency, statistical tools amongst others. A strong score throughout all post-secondary qualifications is highly recommended. However, if you have a score belonging to less than the recommended section, you can compensate it by stating the activities you undertook, assistantships, projects completed, languages learnt during that time etc.

• International Tests like GRE/GMAT/TOEFL/IELTS etc. A huge majority of institutions as part of the application process for PhD after BTech either require or recommend submission of scores of various international tests such as GRE / GMAT / TOEFL / IELTS / PTE etc.
• Letters of Recommendation/Statement of Purpose/Resume These form an essential supplementary part of an application that elaborates the motivations and interests of candidates and how they are suitable for the program. Further, Letters of Recommendation / Statement of Purpose / Resume helps the admission committee in understanding what a candidate aims to achieve through the program they are applying for.
• Research Proposal (optional) In some universities, the application process comprises a research proposal to be submitted that outlines somewhat the specific area of research the applicant is intending to pursue while at the university. 

Also Read: PhD Entrance Exams

When it comes to finding a suitable answer for how to do a PHD after BTech, the most suitable solution to this is having a strong profile during and after your BTech course. It is vital for one to show adequate experience in research for a PhD that you can do by showcasing your published papers for certificates of seminars along with the extra projects that you have made during your BTech. You can align the topic of your final year project as per the topic of your PhD research. Make sure that the work you carry out under guidance corresponds to a letter of recommendation to you that will help you uplift your profile. 

The selection of major and minor subjects also help the students presenting their direct m application for PhD. Stating that your major subject of BTech course aligns with your research domain I will help you elevate your candidature. Since you will not be having a proper degree of masters, possessing peripheral knowledge or a stronghold over the concepts that are taught in the master’s program for the same will also work as an icing on the cake. Do not forget to thoroughly proofread your statement of purpose and make sure that it aligns the best with your future endeavours. 

There are many leading academic institutions and research universities across the world that offer a wide range of programs for those wanting to pursue a PhD after BTech or their bachelor’s degree completion. Here is a list of major global research universities providing plentiful PhD programs in Science and Technology-related fields and specialisations.

Note: The above-mentioned universities as well as the academic institutions in Germany, Denmark , Canada etc operate with flexible admission requirements. This implies that the relevant admissions committee evaluates a candidate’s suitability with the program requirements individually and this means that in some cases, applicants might be required to have attained their master’s degree. Especially with regards to applicants from India, though there is no compulsion, they must ensure the suitability of their qualifications with the stated eligibility requirements given on the university’s official website.

Also Read: PhD in Computer Science

PhD after BTech in India is also known as Direct PhD that one can pursue after completing their BTech course. Those who are clear about pursuing a career in research and academics, this is one of the best career options for them in India. Leading Indian institutes like IIT, IIM, IISc, etc offer this advantageous opportunity of pursuing PHD after BTech to the students having an exceptionally great academic background.  let us now take into consideration what all is required to become eligible for Direct PhD- 

• The average score in GATE exam or other equivalent national exams is mandatory for students belonging to Non-Centrally Funded Technical Institutes (CFTIs). Whereas those who belong to CFTI may not be required to present a score in GATE or any other national-level exam. 
• At least 8.0 CGPA out of 10.0
• Only the student studying in the final year of BTech/ BE can apply 
• Well written SOP 
• Letters of Recommendation 

Listed below are the popular universities in India from where you can pursue PhD after BTech-

• IIT Guwahati
• IIT Hyderabad
• IIT Kharagpur
• BITS Pilani
• Chandigarh University
• Lovely Professional University
• Lingaya’s Vidyapeeth
• Hindustan Institute of Technology and Science
• Awadhesh Pratap Singh University

Ans. Yes, you can pursue Ph.D. after Btech in India as well as abroad. 

Ans. When it comes to posing a direct Ph.D. after Btech from India or abroad it is not necessary to have a master’s degree. Students having an adequate amount of research experience along with an exceptionally great academic background can pursue a Ph.D. 

Ans. The basic eligibility criteria for Ph.D. after BTech is-  -A good GPA score  -Adequate experience in research  -A good academic background with charming scores in competitive entrance exams -Statement of Purpose and Letters of Recommendation

Ans. Completing a Ph.D. in India usually takes 3-5 years. 

Ans. No, GATE school is not mandatory for pursuing a Ph.D. in IIT f the candidate belongs to Centrally Funded Technical Institutes (CFTIs).

We hope that this blog helped you understand the key essentials of pursuing a Ph.D. after BTech. Further, while going for a doctoral program, it is important to choose the right specialization and the university. Take the help of Leverage Edu ‘ s AI tool to browse through a wide range of academic institutions across the globe offering Ph.D. programs and find the right one that suits your interests and career aspirations.

Team Leverage Edu

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Contact no. *

I thought to do phD, iam B. Tech graduated E.C.E 5year old at2015.

Thank you for reaching out to us. Please call on this number- 1800572000, if you want to find out the procedure and universities available to you for PhD after B.Tech.

I have 16 years of IT Industry exp, i want to pursue PhD but i had done my B.Tech in CSE. plz guide.

Hey Naresh!

Please contact our experts through this number 1800572000 to solve all your queries! Thank you.

I completed my BE(CS) in 1999. I wish to do phd. I do not have work experience. Can I apply ?

Please connect with our experts on 1800 572 000 and get the right career guidance! Hope this helps

Please tell me about the universities and colleges in India for PhD after BTech without the gate exam

Leaving already?

8 Universities with higher ROI than IITs and IIMs

Grab this one-time opportunity to download this ebook

Connect With Us

30,000+ students realised their study abroad dream with us. take the first step today..

Resend OTP in

Need help with?

Study abroad.

UK, Canada, US & More

IELTS, GRE, GMAT & More

Scholarship, Loans & Forex

Country Preference

New Zealand

Which English test are you planning to take?

Which academic test are you planning to take.

Not Sure yet

When are you planning to take the exam?

Already booked my exam slot

Within 2 Months

Want to learn about the test

Which Degree do you wish to pursue?

When do you want to start studying abroad.

September 2024

January 2025

What is your budget to study abroad?

How would you describe this article ?

Please rate this article

We would like to hear more.

All ways to do MSc/PhD Maths after B.Tech

• March 2, 2020

Dushyanth Edadasula

 “How to study Mathematics after engineering?”

To all those questions, the answer is,

“Yes!! you can study Mathematics after Engineering in India”

Hello, math enthusiasts.

                   Hey fellow Engineer!!! I actually am an engineer turned Physicist, After the success of my blog ‘Physics after Engineering’ which is for engineers switching to physics, I thought of building one such for mathematics as well. So, I have checked all the institutes that take engineers into Physics to see if they take engineers into also into mathematics. I’ve listed out all such I found.   I’ve tried my best to include as many as possible but I urge your help to complete the list and keep it updated as I am in the field of physics and not math. So, if you have any new information or correction in the blog, please comment below or in our WhatsApp group or mail me.

Here is  The link  to the “Maths after Engineering”  WhatsApp  group where all members are math enthusiastic engineers like you. I’d recommend joining the group because there are people who have joined IITs for MSc Math and some are about to join this year(2020), also you’ll be getting updates about notifications of any exams mentioned below and information on any new opportunities available.

Note: All that said, Reader discretion is advised on choosing a mathematics career cause one might not earn as much as one can with an engineering or MBA degree. It also takes a lot of time to settle in this field so be prepared to see all your crushes and Exes getting married and having a kid or two while you’re still studying. Also Cracking the competitive exams below and completing the degree require serious commitment and love for the subject. Assuming you have it all in you , Let’s now enter into details already !!!!

I just need an MSc Math degree for promotion. I don’t care much about learning Maths for fun and all that.

If you belong to this category you may go for the online MSC Mathematics courses section offered by the universities such as LPU, where you can do your master’s sitting at home at a low cost (and equally low quality LOL).

Ways to study Mathematics after Engineering

These are the major ways for doing Msc or Integrated Ph.D.(or direct Ph.D. in some cases) in Mathematics after Engineering.

Indian Statistical Institute(ISI)

• Other Entrance tests .
• Opportunities abroad (Math GRE, General GRE, IELTS, and TOFEL, etc)
• TIFR GS (Integrated Ph.D.  paper)
• GATE   Engineering score
• Online & Distance programs (At the bottom of the page)
• MS by research programs
• Direct  Ph.D.
• GATE Mathematics

         This is an exam conducted by IITs as an entrance test to MSc and an Integrated Ph.D. in IITs and IISC. Along with these, IISERs also take JAM rankers into Integrated Ph.D. and some have started MSc programs too. Actually, there is a small confusion about the eligibility of engineers into IITs through JAM. IITs require 4 semesters with at least one maths(or related) subject in your undergraduate(engineering) coursework. This is a vague statement but the IITs selection process and our (physics aspirants) experiences are even more confusing. So, do read this blog post about the experience of JAM physics rankers in the selection process of IITs to get some idea regarding this confusion (It is written from Physics aspirants’ experiences but is applicable to maths ones as well. Just read ‘maths’ wherever you find ‘physics’ in the post)

IIT Mandi, IISC, and IISERs  have their own application portal , you have to apply to each of them individually through their websites and not through the JAM counseling portal( where you can apply for all IITs in a single place) also, NITs take students through another counseling but none of them take Engineers in M.Sc Maths, NIT Arunachal Pradesh takes Engineers in mathematical physics course but it’s a pretty bad course and people recommend sitting for one more year and preparing for the exams again rather than taking admission there.

• ‘ How to start preparing for JAM Maths ‘ by Arnab Choudary (AIR-56)

Engineers are eligible for lots of courses in ISI which has multiple campuses across the country and the main campus at Kolkata. We are eligible for PG courses M.Math, M.Stat, MS(QE-Quantitative Economics), etc, and also for diploma courses in statistics. Go through their official website for full details.

Universities and Other Entrance tests

I’ve searched the eligibility criteria of almost all major colleges and universities and of them all, These are the ones that I found to give admission to Engineering grads in M.Sc/MA in Mathematics or related fields like applied mathematics. Almost all of the Institutes below don’t have any eligibility criteria for coursework unlike IITs which is a kind of saving grace for those who don’t satisfy the criteria

• Indian Statistical Institute (ISI)
• Chennai Mathematical Institute (CMI)
• IISc, Bangalore (I Ph.D. program- Link )
• This is a Common entrance test for some Central Univs. Central Govt. is trying to bring all the central Univs under this one common entrance exam. There are some really good Univs. like JNU , and HCU , but most others are not-so-good Central Universities. More and more Univs. are joining this. Anyway, us engineers, are eligible only for 5-6 of them you should check out the list from the website [ Link ]
• IISER Pune [ Link ]
• IISER, Kolkata [ Link ]
• IISER, Bhopal [ Link ]
• IISER Tiruvanamthapuram [ Link ]
• LNMIIT, Jaipur [JAM qualified students can get in with an interview (without an entrance exam). They have excellent faculty and also give a monthly stipend of Rs.5000 to 10 out of the 15 students details here ]
• Shiv Nadar University, Noida [ Link ]
• Hyderabad Central University -HCU [ Link ]
• Delhi University (3 yrs or 6 sems of maths-related subjects required in bachelors- link )
• Pune University (you’ll be eligible for MSc but not MA- link )
• Somaiya University [ Link ]
• South Asian University ( SAU)-Delhi[ Link ]
• Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya, Indore[ link ]
• IIT Mandi (Himachal Pradesh)?
• Institute of Chemical Technology, Mumbai (ICT, Mumbai)?
• Christ University (Bangalore) [ Link ]
•  Ramanujan Institute, Chennai [ Link ]
• CHARUSAT, Gujarat?
• Utkal University,Bhubaneswar(maths?,statistics) [ Link ]
• LPU (Lovely Professional University) [LPUCET] [ Link]

I’m not sure about how good the last few institutes on the list are, do your own research!

Opportunities Abroad

• Applying Abroad for Master’s Degree  –  Rajnish
• Physics GRE preparation for Engineers  – Vaibhav Sharma (990/990 in PGRE)
• India or Abroad?  MS/M.Sc (Master’s) in Physics after Engineering?  – Vaibhav Sharma
• Applying for direct Ph.D. abroad right after Engineering (without masters)   –  Surendra Padamata  (External link)
• Visit the  Contents of the Math Dorm  and  scroll to the ‘Applying abroad’ section for posts with lists of universities and other useful stuff.

(A rant on the Indian govt) Our beloved Govt. of India has been reassuring us time and again how it’s going to underpay and undervalue the researchers and research institutes in the country. With acts like a minimal hike in Ph.D. stipend given after 4 years and intensive protests from scholars, time and again it proves that these conditions are going to prevail for a long time.

Anyway getting back to our topic, the General GRE with a combination of TOEFL or IELTS is necessary for the USA, and having a Maths GRE score is also recommended. As for the European countries, only IELTS is enough (Sending GRE scores might add to your profile but is not mandatory). The tuition fee is zero in some countries like Italy and Germany.

           TIFR is one of the elite research institutes in India if not the best. It has campuses in Mumbai, Banglore, Hyderabad, and Pune. Of them, the ones in Mumbai and in Banglore(ICTS) have mathematics departments. Engineers have to opt for an Integrated Ph.D. paper, Your questions will be from the BSc syllabus but the no.of questions will be rather less, and look for your deep understanding of a concept. Very few people get selected this way. The interviews will also be very thought-provoking. You need to be very strong with your fundamentals.

The best part of this(or any other Ph.D. course) is the stipend. You’ll receive a monthly fellowship of Rs 16,000/- for the first year. At the end of the first year, upon satisfactory performance, the fellowship is enhanced to Rs 25,000/- per month (further raised to Rs 28,000/- after registration for PhD. and annual contingency of Rs. 20,000/-(First Year Int. PhD. students)-Book Grant Only / 32,000/- per year [Ph.D. students and Int. Ph.D. students (Second Year onwards)]

• IMSc, Chennai
• HRI, Allahabad
• IISER, Pune

Through GATE Engineering score (any stream)

• IIST – M.Tech in Machine Learning and Computing ( Details )
• IISc – Ph.D., and IPh.D
• IMSc, Chennai Int Ph.D. (In exceptional cases)
• IIT Madras – Ph.D. (not sure)

Direct Ph.D.

         These are the institutes that offer direct Ph.D. to engineers. You need to have a good knowledge in some specific research field you are applying for, to crack the interviews

• Chennai Mathematical Institute (CMI) [Although it’s mentioned as a direct Ph.D. those who don’t have math background have to attend a year and a half of coursework. So It’s basically an Integrated Ph.D. program again)
• IISC Bangalore
• Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research ( JNCASR ) , Bangalore [ Eligibility ]
• BITS (All campuses)
• TCIS-TIFR Hyderabad
• IISERs: Pune, Mohali, Thiruvananthapuram, and Tirupati
• HRDD-BARC (Only M.E/M.Tech grads are eligible)

GATE and NET

• ICTS, Bangalore
• IISC, Banglore
• TIFR, Hyderabad
• IIST, Thiruvananthapuram
• IIT, Bombay
• IIT, Kanpur
• IISER, Kolkata
• IISC, Bangalore (Ph.D.)
• IIT Bombay, Kanpur, Roorkee, Dharwad, Guwahati, Gandhinagar (Ph.D.)
• IISER, Tirupati (Ph.D.)
• IUCAA, Pune (Ph.D.)
• IMSc, Chennai (I Ph.D.)
• ICTS, Bangalore (I Ph.D.)
• TIFR, Hyderabad (Ph.D. and I Ph.D.)
• NIT Roorkee and some other NITs

Online & Distance programs

Online degrees.

• Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology [Course fee: <Rs. 20k for 2 years ]
• LPU Online MSc Mathematics   [Course fee: < Rs. 60k for 2 years]
• There are a few other universities such as SRM and MMU to which Engineers seem to be ineligible, you may enquire with them and check if they might take you in.

Distance Degrees

• Madras University ( Link )
• Osmania University, Telangana ( Link )
• Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Open University ( Link )
• IGNOU [Post Graduate Diploma in Applied Statistics]
• Tamilnadu Open University( Link )
• Kuvempu University (Can’t find supporting links)
• Karnataka State Open University ( Link )
• Jaipur National University ( Link )
• Vardhaman Mahaveer Open University ( Link )
• Lalit Narayan Mithila University( Link )
• NIMS University ( Link )

Here is the link for our WhatsApp group of members all of whom are engineers who actively discuss and help each other out in entering mathematics stream after engineering. 

6 thoughts on “All ways to do MSc/PhD Maths after B.Tech”

you telegram link is not working it seems.

It's working fine I just checked. Try installing the telegram app and opening the link.

Hi Dushyanth! Any ideas for a MSc. Math course through distance education in Tamil Nadu? I am pursuing my career as a Software Engineer, and would like to do an M.Sc. Math and B.Ed. through distance education for my interest in taking up a government teaching job in Mathematics.

I've mentioned all the opportunities I've known brother, haven't found any such in tamilnadu. The list may still not be complete, you may try checking the websites are contacting the institutes to know if there are any. If you do find something kindly let me know, I'll put it up in the website.

Hi..I want to pursue MSc maths. I'm engineering student (ECE) and I had maths for 3 semesters and eligibility for IITs is 4 semesters. And for NITs eligibility is written as BSc. Are there any colleges which offer MSc course for ECE engineers?

Your Blogs are always helpful and they give hope that some or the other thing will work out! Thank you team CoS !

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Profession or Passion; My Journey of Self-Discovery

Some elements may be stressful for some people. I am neither exaggerating nor creating things. That’s what happened to me. Journey to IISER The 2020 IAT (IISER Aptitude Test) was

Cracking the JAM: A Comprehensive Guide to Effective Exam Prep

Introduction “In science, the credit goes to the man who convinces the world, not to whom the idea first occurs”. I’m referring to this quote here because I feel it

Applying abroad for a PhD in Physics

Hi! My name is Surendra Padamata, a recent B.E. Mechanical and Physics minor undergraduate from BITS Pilani K.K. Birla Goa Campus, India. I am currently working at ICTS-TIFR and IGC,

PhD right after B.E./B.Tech/BSc vs MSc/MS

Prologue: Many people out there have this question in their mind as to whether one can do a PhD in physics right after their engineering degree, is it possible, how

Online resources for Astronomy/Astrophysics/Cosmology

Authors Shruti Pandharipande Rimsha Arif  Organizations website International NASA’s website is a great resource for news and information about current and upcoming space missions, as well as a wealth of

Medicine or Natural Science in Biology? Differentiating between a MBBS degree and B.Sc/ BS degree

Basic Idea The first point of differentiating between these fields would be to understand the basic idea of them. Biological sciences is a branch of natural sciences that involves studying

Physics Conferences/Seminar International and Indian

This Blog is written by- Shruti Pandharipande an enthusiastic and motivated undergraduate physics student. Her interests are piqued by astronomy, astrophysics, and particle physics. She is a firm believer in

Preparation for DSE – Sanchit Singhal

Note: This post caters only to the preparation of DSE Probability A list of topics you must know is Permutation & Combinations, Conditional probability which includes the gambler ruin problem,

Travelling Europe for a Master’s Degree: The Erasmus Mundus Scholarship

Interviewee – Sailee Pradeep Sakhalkar Interviewed by Damayanti Dasgupta Transcribed by Nandini Sinhal Formatted by Sandhya Sathiaseelan 1. Why is this Erasmus Mundus Scholarship considered important and who can apply for

Socialise with

“Resilient” RSOM Class of 2024 Graduate

125 new MDs persevered after entering medical school during the Covid-19 pandemic; Dr. Anthony Fauci addresses the students as they enter the field of medicine

STONY BROOK, NY, May 16, 2024  – The Renaissance School of Medicine (RSOM) at Stony Brook University celebrated 50 years with its 2024 convocation, a ceremony on May 14 in which 125 graduates received their Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree. This year’s graduates bring the total to more than 5,000 individuals who have earned MD degrees from the school since the first graduating class of 18 people in 1974.

In July the new MDs will start their careers as resident physicians. Collectively, they will practice at hospitals and academic medical centers in New York State and 19 other states nationwide. For those staying in New York, more than one-third will begin their careers at Stony Brook Medicine.

Peter Igarashi, MD, Knapp Dean of the RSOM, opened the ceremony by honoring the legacy and generosity of James Simons, the Stony Brook University alumnus, philanthropist, founder of Renaissance Technologies, and benefactor to the University, who passed away on May 10. The medical school was renamed to the Renaissance School of Medicine in 2018 in recognition of a gift by more than 100 families at Renaissance Technologies.

“Many of you entered medical school in 2020 during the worst waves of the Covid-19 pandemic, and it was a time of fear and uncertainty before vaccines and effective treatments,” said Dr. Igarashi. “It took great courage to enter healthcare at that time. You did that to pursue your dream of becoming a physician. Today that dream becomes a reality. Your perseverance has paid off, and your resilience will serve you well as you continue your training in medicine.”

Reflecting on the RSOM at large, Dean Igarashi characterized  the school as still young but one with a significant impact in academic medicine.

Physician researchers and other scientific investigators within the RSOM have contributed greatly to the advancement of medicine. Their accomplishments include the development of the first monoclonal antibody to prevent blood clots and the discovery of the cause of Lyme disease. For a list of the leading medical breakthroughs by Stony Brook basic and clinical researchers over the past 50 years,  see this webpage .

William Wertheim, MD, MBA, Interim Executive Vice President for Stony Brook Medicine, and Endowed Chair in Graduate Medical Education, saw the moment as fitting, celebrating the 50th Convocation with such an extraordinary class.

“All of you start your careers in medicine when the need for physicians is great, and the need for empathy, clarity, and an ability for physicians to make the science of medicine accessible to their patients is substantial,” said Dr. Wertheim. “I am confident that the skills you have learned while at Stony Brook have laid this foundation for your careers.”

Anthony S. Fauci, MD, who led the national response to the HIV/AIDS and Covid-19 pandemics, addressed the Class of 2024. Dr. Fauci is Distinguished University Professor at the Georgetown University School of Medicine and the McCourt School of Public Policy, Distinguished Senior Scholar at the O’Neill Institute for National and Global Health Law, former Director of the National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), and a key advisor to seven U.S. Presidents.

“Your journey has been exceptional, and in some cases unprecedented,” Dr. Fauci told the graduates, referring to their medical school years during the pandemic and the New York metro area as one hit hard by Covid-19.

Dr. Fauci said that the lessons learned from the Covid-19 pandemic will help prepare the new physicians not only for the next pandemic but for their careers more broadly. He gave three pieces of advice for the graduates to consider as they move into medicine – expect the unexpected, beware of the insidious nature of anti-science, and recognize the consequences of a divided nation.

He encouraged the Class to focus on patients as the beneficiaries of all they do, and stated that “our collective future is truly in your hands.”

Stony Brook Paves the Way

Two graduates who matriculated at Stony Brook for eight years under the BS to MD tract, known as the  Scholars for Medicine Program , cherished their Stony Brook education.

Kunal Shah, raised in Queens, NY, after his parents immigrated from India, excelled in his academics in high school on Long Island. From an early age, he became interested in caring for children, particularly during his experience as a child helping his toddler cousin who was treated for medulloblastoma.

During his clinical rotation training at Stony Brook, Shah’s interest in pediatrics only expanded as he helped to care for numerous patients and families at Stony Brook Children’s. He hopes to specialize in pediatric cardiology and will begin a residency in Pediatrics at Johns Hopkins Children’s Hospital, at both locations in Baltimore and Florida.

By chance, Shah’s freshman year roommate in the Scholars for Medicine Program, Mahesh Tiwari, was also from Queens, NY.

Tiwari, inspired by his mother’s vocation as a primary care physician serving in Queens, also saw at a young age the difference physicians can make in people’s lives. As a youth he pursued his interests in science, community health issues, and music.

While at Stony Brook, Tiwari founded the Camerata Choir within the RSOM and continued to build a music career as an organist on Long Island and in New York City.

“The flexibility of the Stony Brook academic program enabled me to study and excel in organ performance, as well as receive an unparalleled education and conduct research on the health needs of Long Island communities,” he said.

Other RSOM students, including fellow graduate Maame Yaa Brako, joined the choir to balance their lives as busy medical students. Brako, who had immigrated from Ghana to Canada before coming to Stony Brook, will join the Brigham and Women’s Hospital / Massachusetts General Hospital Integrated Residency Program in Obstetrics & Gynecology in Boston.

Tiwari will pursue his life as a new physician and continue his passion for playing music at another academic medical center in a university environment, as an Internal Medicine resident at Rutgers-Robert Wood Johnson in New Jersey.

All of the RSOM graduates, past and present, have their own unique stories regarding their path into medicine. They all had at least one thing in common – a RSOM education.

For a look back at the beginnings of Stony Brook Medicine, its Health Sciences Center, the launch of the medical school and what evolved and grew into the RSOM,  see this timeline .

Related Posts

Add comment

Cancel reply.

Your Website

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

Research Team Takes a Fundamental Step Toward a Functioning Quantum Internet

Leading News Points: A Stony Brook University research team demonstrated a network of quantum memories displaying identical performance at room temperature, a fundamental step toward developing quantum repeaters, a...

Professor Ellen Pikitch Named 2024 NYSMEA Research Award Winner

The award honors scientists or educators who have contributed greatly to the knowledge of marine environments STONY BROOK, NY – April 22, 2024 – Ellen Pikitch, PhD, Endowed Professor of Ocean Conservation Science in the...

Stony Brook University Faculty Members Named AAAS Fellows

Stony Brook, NY – April 18, 2024 – Stony Brook University’s Judith “Judi” Brown Clarke, Anatoly I. Frenkel, and Richard K. Larson were recently named 2023 American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)...

Subscribe to Newsletter

Latest releases.

Stony Brook University Hospital Recognized for its Leadership in Environmental Sustainability in the Health Care Sector

All Stony Brook Medicine Hospitals Named National Leaders in LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality

Using AI and Social Media to Track Depression in Communities

Stony Brook University Appoints Kevin H. Gardner as Vice President for Research

Carol A. Carter Elected Member of National Academy of Sciences

Kimberly Barnaby, DO, and Her Practice Join Stony Brook Medicine Physician Network in Babylon

Social Welfare Professor Receives National Award from the Department of Justice

Stony Brook Cancer Center Supports Sun Safe Fun Day at Adventureland for Kesem Families

Dr. Susan Lane Inducted as Master of the American College of Physicians

• Find Stories
• Media Resources
• Media Relations Team
• Press Clip Archives
• Press Release Archives

Sign Up Today!

Connect with sbu.

© 2021 Stony Brook University

Subscribe to News

Search sbu news, latest stories.

• Renaissance School of Medicine Celebrates 50th Convocation May 16, 2024
• “Resilient” RSOM Class of 2024 Graduate May 16, 2024
• SBU Chapter of the National Academy of Inventors Honors New Members, Young Academic Inventors May 16, 2024
• Celebrating the HOPE Program’s Graduates and Rising Seniors May 16, 2024
• Graduate Awards Ceremony Celebrates Excellence May 16, 2024
• Alumni News
• Arts & Entertainment
• Awards and Honors
• College of Arts & Sciences
• College of Business
• College of Engineering & Applied Sciences
• Commencement
• Faculty/Staff
• Graduate School
• Long Island
• School of Communication and Journalism
• School of Dental Medicine
• School of Health Professions
• School of Medicine
• School of Nursing
• School of Pharmacy
• School of Professional Development
• School of Social Welfare
• Student Spotlight
• Sustainability
• Stay Informed

Get the latest word on Stony Brook news, discoveries and people.