Applied Physics (PhD)

Tuition fees are 29,500 USD per year.

The Ph.D. program in Applied Physics is a flexible, research-oriented doctoral program tailored to individual interests. It combines a core physics curriculum with research and study in areas applying physics to scientific and engineering communities. Students engage in cross-disciplinary research, often collaboratively, and instead of a qualifying exam, they complete core physics courses in quantum mechanics, electrodynamics, statistical mechanics, and advanced laboratory techniques.

Focus areas include nanoscience, advanced materials, condensed matter physics, renewable energy, quantum information and photonics, biological physics.

Core coursework includes 9 credits in quantum mechanics, electrodynamics, and statistical mechanics in Year 1, followed by advanced experimental physics in Year 2. Students must complete five semesters of GRAD research and are expected to enroll in research courses each semester through graduation, with a minimum degree duration of six semesters.

Applicants need undergraduate preparation in physics, another physical science, or engineering with a strong math/modern physics emphasis. GRE exams are not required. Applicants must meet Graduate School requirements, including English proficiency, and submit three recommendations.

On-campus in Ithaca, NY. Minimum duration is six semesters. For international students, tuition is above the median for US programmes. The institution admits about 8% of applicants.

Cornell University, founded in 1865 in Ithaca, New York, is an Ivy League research university that blends rigorous scholarship with broad public engagement. As both a privately endowed institution and New York State's statutory land-grant university, Cornell brings together liberal arts, engineering, agriculture, and professional schools to offer wide academic choice across more than twenty colleges and programs. Its historic mission emphasizes teaching, research, and service, making Cornell a global destination for students seeking depth and interdisciplinary opportunity.

Academically, Cornell is known for high-impact research across the sciences, humanities, and applied fields. With about 25,582 students and over 6,200 international learners, the campus provides extensive resources including research centers, interdisciplinary institutes, and industry partnerships that support undergraduate and graduate training. Students benefit from hands-on learning, internship networks, and faculty mentorship that often include international collaborations and community-engaged projects.

Life in Ithaca balances scenic natural spaces with a lively arts and dining scene and strong student services, from career counseling to study abroad advising. Residential options, student clubs, and entrepreneurial hubs help newcomers settle in and build professional pathways both in the United States and abroad. For international applicants seeking world-class research, wide program choice, and a community that values public service and innovation, Cornell offers a supportive and stimulating environment.