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APPLIED PHYSICS GRADUATE PROGRAM Joint PhD Program Between Weinberg College and Mccormick School of Engineering

Soft-matter & biophysics, soft condensed matter.

Given its scope and applications, soft condensed matter lies at the very intersection of physics, chemistry, and biology. Soft condensed matter physics, a subfield of condensed matter physics, focuses on the study of both static and dynamic properties of matter and materials at energy scales where thermal fluctuation dominates. As such, quantum aspects are negligible. Typical “soft” systems of interest include liquids, colloids, polymers, foams, gels, granular materials, and glasses, as well as a variety of biological and complex materials. They derive their many interesting properties from a competition between electrostatic interactions, van der Waalsforces, and entropic effects. This fast-growing research field is interesting not only for its use of classical geometry and deep theoretical concepts associated with symmetry breaking, phase transitions, or emergent phenomena, but also for its immense potential for applications in technology (from ceramic paints and adhesives to liquid-crystal displays) and biological materials (blood, muscle, skin, tissue, gels, membranes, milk, and vesicles are all examples of “soft” materials). 

Faculty: Koray Aydin , Michael Bedzyk , Vinayak Dravid , Michelle Driscol l, Pulak Dutta , Erik Luijten , Adilson Motter , Monica Olvera de la Cruz , George Schatz ,  Petia Vlahovska .

Biological molecules often have complex structures that are dictated by the functions they must perform. Despite this complexity, the molecules are self-organized, typically built from simple building blocks such as amino acids, nucleic acids, lipids and sugars, and often function in a crowded intracellular environment that uses complicated signaling pathways to initiate crucial biological functions. Understanding the molecules, their assembly, and their interactions is of paramount importance to molecular biology and biological physics. There is also much interest in new materials that can be derived by combining biological molecules in unusual ways, or by combining biological molecules with synthetic species, including nano particles and inorganic interfaces. Northwestern and Argonne National Lab’s Advanced Photon Source have a number of unique structural tools available for the characterization of biomolecules. In-house methods include high-resolution TEM coupled with surface analytical techniques, an array of electron and scanning probe tools, and laser spectroscopy techniques. State-of-the-art computer simulations employing molecular dynamics and Monte Carlo methods are facilitated by Northwestern’s Quest high-performance computing facility.

Faculty: Vadim Backman , Vinayak Dravid , Erik Luijten , Adilson Motter , Teri Odom , Monica Olvera de la Cruz , George Schatz ,  Petia Vlahovska

• Training and Outreach

Applied Physics Graduate Program

The Applied Physics Graduate Program is a joint PhD program between the McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science and the Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences that offers research opportunities with faculty in the departments of Physics & Astronomy, Biomedical Engineering, Chemistry, Earth & Planetary Sciences, Electrical Engineering & Computer Science, and Materials Science & Engineering. The Engineered Quantum Systems research area unites the interests of both experimental and theoretical research groups actively investigating applications of quantum physics.

Center for Fundamental Physics (CFP)

With tabletop experiments, department of physics and astronomy, (847) 467-6678; 2145 sheridan road, evanston, il.

• Gabrielse Group
• Geraci Group
• Kovachy Group
• Research Opportunities
• Current Funding
• Tabletop Fundamental Physics Grants
• Interdisciplinary Visitor Grants
• CFP Colloquia
• Conferences and Workshops

The Center for Fundamental Physics with Tabletop Experiments (CFP for short) is a long-term initiative of Northwestern University and its Department of Physics and Astronomy. Its faculty members, graduate students and undergraduates specialize in tabletop experiments that investigate the particles, interactions, and symmetries of the universe - to test and help develop our most fundamental theoretical descriptions. A weekly CFP colloquium features the most exciting international developments in fundamental physics, including relevant atomic, molecular, and optical physics, along with related developments in high energy physics, astrophysics, and new detector technologies. Associates of the CFP are researchers from Northwestern and neighboring institutions who broaden the CFP community by their participation in the CFP and its colloquium. The CFP serves as the gateway for foundation funds to researchers doing fundamental physics with tabletop experiments. The CFP also encourages interdisciplinary activities that reflect upon, illuminate and reveal the assumptions, implications and methods of fundamental physics.

Please visit our Research Opportunities page to see the latest employment opportunities available in the CFP.

Northwestern University is an eager and ideal host for this unique center of excellence. As part of its active engagement in increasing the stature and visibility of the Department of Physics and Astronomy, and in improving the intellectual opportunities for its students and faculty, Northwestern launched the CFP with new faculty lines for a founding director and core research group leaders. The university provided freshly renovated, adjacent laboratories in the Mudd building, and a suite of offices in the heart of the Department of Physics and Astronomy. The university is also committed to providing the crucial support services that CFP researchers (and many others at the university) need to fabricate intricate apparatus for cutting-edge laboratory measurements. Included are maintaining a well-equipped and staffed professional machine shop, a student machine shop within which students are mentored as they safely use up-to-date machine tools, an electronics design shop whose engineer is able to design electronics for precise measurements, and pursuing a sustainable and affordable source of liquid helium.

New CFP laboratories are located in the rebuilt Mudd building.

© 2018 - Last Updated: 01/30/2023 - Disclaimer

DEPARTMENT OF GERMAN

• News & Events

Cole Edelstein wins Northwestern University Undergraduate Language Grant to study in Berlin

April 2, 2024

Please join the department in congratulating our student Cole Edelstein who just won a $ 5000 Northwestern University Undergraduate Language Grant to study in Berlin in the summer 2024. Cole began self-studying German during his freshman year of high school through free online language platforms and online media and progressed quickly. He received the Maryland Seal of German Biliteracy in his junior year of high school two years later. At Northwestern, Cole placed into third-year German and took an advanced German conversation class and an advanced literature class discussing engagement with artistic representations of the Holocaust. Cole is a Theatre Major with minors in Physics and Dance and a member of the Acting for Screen module. His dream after college is to become a Musical Theater performer and he also has a passion for tutoring German giving others the chance to experience the German language. During the summer 2024, Cole will attend the intensive immersion program at the Humboldt Institute and engage with and familiarize himself with the rich theatrical scene in Berlin, attending plays at the Berliner Ensemble and Berlin State Opera.

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Ph.D. Students

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Academic Catalog

2023-2024 Edition

Applied Physics PhD

Degree requirements.

The following requirements are in addition to, or further elaborate upon, those requirements outlined in  The Graduate School Policy Guide .

The Applied Physics Program does not offer a terminal master's program, and only students who intend to pursue the PhD are admitted.  However, PhD students who satisfactorily complete the first year of classes and pass a comprehensive examination are eligible to receive a Master of Science degree.

The formal requirements for a PhD in Applied Physics are:  

• The core courses
• The oral qualifying exam
• The teaching experience
• The prospectus or thesis proposal
• The thesis defense

Core Courses

Total Units Required: 10

List of course options for Computational Methods of Applied Physics

List of course options for experimental methods of applied physics, oral qualifying exam.

Students are required to pass a qualifying exam before advancing to the second year of the program. This exam takes the form of a short presentation made to an examining committee, followed by a closed question session before the committee. There is no written qualifier.

Teaching Experience

One quarter of teaching experience is required by the Graduate School. Since AP is a graduate-only program, our students gain this experience by serving as TAs in a variety of undergraduate departments.

Prospectus or Thesis Proposal and Defense

Students must submit and defend their thesis proposal before the end of the spring quarter of the third year. This includes a written proposal and a 30 mins defense followed by questions from the faculty committee.

Thesis Defense

Each PhD candidate must pass a Thesis Defense based on the work presented in the candidate's dissertation. The faculty committee assembled previously for the thesis proposal and defense conducts the examination. The examination involves a mandatory open and publicized oral presentation and discussion during the first hour, followed by a closed examination with only the faculty committee.

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