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University of Wyoming

Physics & Astronomy Graduate Program and Application Instructions

The graduate PhD program in Physics & Astronomy is a small, personal, yet challenging environment where graduate students will receive advanced instruction and guidance to grow as independent research scientists while using unique research facilities in astronomy and physics. The strengths of the physics & astronomy graduate program lie in a faculty committed to excellence in instruction and individual mentoring. Unique research facilities include Wyoming's own 2.3 meter telescope on the nearby 9656 ft. Jelm Mountain and the newly equipped 0.6 m Red Buttes Observatory as well as several experimental condensed matter physics laboratories and a soon-to-be built National Center for Atmospheric Research Supercomputer Center. The physics & astronomy graduate program is designed to help students mature as research scientists and as professional teachers.

Laramie's location at 7,200 ft. elevation near the eastern edge of the Rocky Mountains provides excellent recreational opportunities for hiking, fishing, camping, climbing, skiiing, and enjoying the breathtaking beauty of the "mountain west" all within a short drive. Its location gives Laramie a unique cultural flavor, combining elements of the rugged rural west with the cosmopolitan aspects of an intellectual center. With a population of just over 27,000 and 11,000 students, Laramie is a comfortable, friendly town having all the perks of a vibrant university community yet with a low cost-of-living. By car, Laramie is approximately 135 miles north of Denver, and 60 miles north of Fort Collins, Colorado.

Program Goals: The goal of the PhD program in physics & astronomy is to produce research scholars who are also proficient teachers at the college level.

    • Outcome 1: Mastery of the 4 major areas of physics (Mechanics, Electricity & Magnetism, Quantum Mechanics, and Statistical Physics) at the undergraduate level & Understanding of their chosen sub area (astronomy/condensed matter physics) at the graduate level.
    • Outcome 2: Students will be capable of using advanced scientific experimental/observational/computational/theoretical methods appropriate to their subdiscipline to conduct independent research.
    • Outcome 3. Clearly communicate the results of scientific analysis in written and oral form at a professional level.
    • Outcome 4: Students will know the current areas of research, key open questions, and seminal literature within their subdiscipline.
    • Outcome 5: Competency in teaching at the college levels using the best pedagogical methods as determined by current physics education research.
We are now acepting applications for graduate study in astronomy or physics beginning in Fall 2009. There is no application fee for U.S. citizens who complete their applications by the due date! An exciting NSF funding opportunity is available for qualified students. Science Education Fellowships will pay $30,000/year for UW graduate students to work with local junior high school science teachers to develop integrated lesson plans. Fellowships will require approximately 20 hours/week during the academic year plus the development and implementation of a week-long summer workshop for teachers, students, and parents. Fellowship recipients must be US citizens. Furthermore, research appointments are available as early as the first year for well prepared students.

Application Instructions

Applicants must hold a bachelor's degree based on a four-year curriculum from an accredited (Council on Higher Education or equivalent) institution. Degrees in physics, astronomy, mathematics, or chemistry are recommended, though other degrees will be considered.

We are now acepting applications for graduate study in astronomy and physics beginning in Fall 2009. There is no application fee for U.S. citizens who complete their applications by the due date! Applications completed by January 20, 2009 will be given first consideration. Later applications will be considered on a secondary basis. Direct other inquiries on applications to Prof. Chip Kobulnicky -- chipk at uwyo dot edu

Admitted students will be notified by the second week of February and invited to visit the campus oan March 6-7th with other admitted students. Admitted students must accept or decline by April 15th. The first day of the visit will be with the faculty and students of the Department. The second day of the visit will include a trip to WIRO and the town and countryside. We typically make a first round of offers in mid-February, but it is possible that we could make additional offers to students still on the waiting list as late as mid-April, depending on funding levels and responses to our first round of offers.

An exciting NSF funding opportunity is available for qualified students. Science Education Fellowships will pay $30,000/year for UW graduate students to work with local junior high school science teachers to develop integrated lesson plans. Fellowships will require approximately 15 hours/week during the academic year plus the development and implementation of a week-long summer workshop for teachers, students, and parents. Fellowship recipients must be US citizens. Furthermore, research appointments are available as early as the first year for well prepared students. We encourage new students to arrive in Laramie in the summer before the start of their graduate courswork to work as research assistants, learn to use the WIRO telescope, and enjoy summer in Laramie.

HOW TO APPLY

Instructions for U.S. Citizens

Submit the following materials directly to the Department of Physics & Astronomy :

  • A Graduate School Application Fill it out online and the Department will automatically get an electronic copy. You can complete this form without paying the application fee.
  • A set of original transcripts. IMPORTANT: If possible, please send a transcript that includes grades for fall coursework and courses for which you have registered in the spring. Otherwise, please provide a list of upper level physics or math courses you are currently taking or plan to take before graduation which may not appear on the transcript you are sending us.
  • A copy (official copies preferred, but unofficial is ok) of scores for GRE General Test and the GRE Subject Test in Physics (if recommended for admission, you will need to have official copies sent to the Graduate School if you have not already sent them to the Department. The school code for UW is 4855 )
  • Three letters of recommendation and acompanying form
  • An application for a Graduate Assistantship (PDF format)
  • A 1-2 page personal statement describing your academic interests and goals, including any prior research experience in astronomy or physics.

SEND MATERIALS TO:

    Director of Graduate Studies
    Department of Physics & Astronomy
    1000 E. University
    Dept. 3905
    University of Wyoming
    Laramie, WY 82071

Note for international students: We don't have any specific minimum GRE scores, although the UW Graduate School does have minimum TOEFL scores. We consider the full pool of applications received each year, so our best advice is to simply apply.
Instructions for International Students

Submit the following materials to the UW Graduate School:

  • Application Form (available online) (fill it out online and the Department will automatically get an electronic copy)
  • Official Academic transcript(s) from all schools attended
  • Official scores for the general GRE exam and the Physics GRE subject exam (The school code for UW is 4855 )
  • Official TOEFL scores (international students only)
  • An International Student Advisor's report
  • A confidential financial statement (international students only)
  • A check or money order for the nonrefundable $50 application processing fee. The fee can be paid with a Visa or Master Card either by calling the Graduate School or online.

SEND MATERIALS TO:

    Graduate School
    University of Wyoming
    1000 E. University
    Dept. 3108
    Laramie, WY 82071-3108
    Phone: 307-766-2287

Submit the following materials directly to the Department of Physics & Astronomy :

  • Photocopies (or a second set of originals) of transcript(s). IMPORTANT: If possible, please send a transcript that includes grades for fall coursework and courses for which you have registered in the spring. Otherwise, please provide a list of upper level physics or math courses you are currently taking or plan to take before graduation which may not appear on the transcript you are sending us.
  • A copy (unofficial is ok) of scores for GRE General Test and the GRE Subject Test in Physics
  • Three letters of recommendation and acompanying form
  • An application for a Graduate Assistantship in (PDF format)
  • TOEFL scores for those whose native language is not English (unofficial copies acceptable).
  • A 1-2 page personal statement describing your academic interests and goals, including any prior research experience in astronomy or physics

SEND MATERIALS TO:

    Director of Graduate Studies
    Department of Physics & Astronomy
    University of Wyoming
    Laramie, WY 82071
    Phone: 307-766-6150

Questions about Physics & Astronomy application procedures should be directed by e-mail to The Director of Graduate Admissions -- chipk at uwyo dot edu.