Admissions
Information for undergraduate students:
Start here to explore Penn's academic programs, the admissions process, campus visits, financial aid, and the Penn undergraduate experience:
For information on the physics major program and course information see:
Information for graduate students:
The graduate program in physics and astronomy is directed primarily towards the PhD degree, emphasizing completion of an original and significant research investigation. The department will, however, award a M.S. degree signifying a knowledge of physics well beyond the undergraduate level but without the comprehensive background and intensive research effort of the Ph.D.
The departmental research program presently emphasizes experimental and theoretical works in particle physics, nuclear physics, condensed matter physics, astrophysics, and astronomy.
Special Admissions Requirements
A Bachelor's degree in physics, astronomy, or a related science is required. The GRE general test is required. The GRE subject test in physics is required. If the degree is not in physics, a strong physics minor is necessary. Applicants whose native language is not English are required to take the TOEFL exam to demonstrate proficiency in English.
For Further Information
- Millicent Minnick
- Academic Coordinator
- Department of Physics and Astronomy
- University of Pennsylvania
- Philadelphia, PA 19104-6396
- telephone:(215)-898-3125
- email: mminnick - at- physics.upenn.edu
Download Paper Application (using Adobe Acrobat)
Apply online
For undergraduate admissions see:
http://www.upenn.edu/admissions/
Admission Statistics
- Address admission inquiries to: Admissions Coordinator, Department of Physics and Astronomy
- Graduate application fee required: $70
- Admission deadline (Fall admission): December 15
- Admission information: For fall admission, 2005-06, 34 students were accepted from 255 applicants.
- Admission requirements: For admission to the graduate programs, a Bachelor's degree in either physics, astronomy, or a related science is required. If the degree is not in physics or astronomy, a strong physics minor is necessary. No minimum undergraduate GPA is specified. The GRE verbal and quantitative is required. No minimum score is specified. The GRE Advanced test is required. The average GRE scores for 2005-06 matriculants were verbal-626 (non-native English speakers not included); quantitative-780. The average GRE Advanced score for 2005-06 matriculants was 781. Students from non-English speaking countries are required to demonstrate proficiency in English via the TOEFL examination.
- Undergraduate preparation assumed: A typical student will have completed intermediate and advanced courses in mechanics (Marion, Becker, etc.); electricity and magnetism (Reitz and Milford, Corson and Lorrain); quantum mechanics (Saxon, etc.); and undergraduate laboratory.
Transfer Credit
Students may receive credit for graduate courses taken at other institutions, though no more than 8 credits may be transferred. After the Graduate Chair determines whether an equivalent graduate course has been taken, the student must go to the current instructor for that course for a standardized evaluation of the instructor's design. If the instructor determines that the student knows the course material that course will be waived and, if appropriate, credit will be given.
If a student received a grade below B+ in Physics 531 (Quantum I) and subsequently received a grade of B+ or higher in Physics 532 (Quantum II) they may take the transfer of credit evaluation to have their 531 grade changed the following fall.