University of Southern California Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Science
Physics and Astronomy

South Los Angeles, USA

DEGREE TYPE

PhD

DURATION

LANGUAGES

English

PACE

APPLICATION DEADLINE

EARLIEST START DATE

Sep 2026

STUDY FORMAT

Key Summary

About : The Physics and Astronomy programme offers a comprehensive exploration of the fundamental principles governing the universe. Students engage with advanced topics in physics and astronomy, developing analytical and problem-solving skills over one or more years of study. This programme provides students with an in-depth understanding of theoretical and applied physics alongside astronomical concepts, preparing them for various scientific challenges.

Career Outcomes : Graduates can pursue careers in research, education, and industry. Potential job roles include physicist, astronomer, data analyst, or positions in technology and engineering. Many alumni also find opportunities in government agencies, educational institutions, and private sector firms focused on scientific research and development.

Faculty in the USC Dornsife College’s Department of Physics and Astronomy observe the most elemental forms of nature and how they behave in both inner and outer space. From electrons to galaxies, faculty scientists explore the structure of matter and how it organizes itself.

Encompassing both the smallest and the largest objects in the universe, the faculty’s research interests are necessarily broad, ranging from atomic physics, elementary particle theory, quantum optics, and laser physics to solar systems, self-organizing systems, and stellar structure. Other prominent scholars study high-energy physics, and how string theory resolves the contradiction between theories of general relativity and quantum mechanics.

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