Physics Department

Contact Information

Dr. R. Oszwaldowski, Graduate Program Coordinator
Department of Physics
Electrical Engineering/Physics 119
(605) 394-2726
E-mail: Rafal.Oszwaldowski@sdsmt.edu

Faculty

Professors Corey and Sobolev; Associate Professors Bai, French, Schnee and Strieder;
Assistant Professors Corwin, Martinez Caicedo, Oszwaldowski, and Reichenbacher;
Lecturer Dowding; Emeritis Professors Detwiler, Foygel, Helsdon, and Petukhov.

Graduate Program in Physics

The program prepares students for a variety of career paths, including positions in academia, industry and at national labs. Although degree candidates may pursue specialized research foci based on the research expertise of ani individual faculty members, the most significant goal of the program is to focus on research areas germane to the needs and special resources of the Sanford Underground Research Facility (SURF). Examples of specialized research areas connected to SURF include nuclear/particle physics and particle astrophysics involving next-generation neutrino detection, double beta-decay, dark matter searches and gravitational wave detection experiments, as well as condensed matter physics concentrating on novel low background radiation materials and devices.

Our solid-state faculty are also active in the fields of quantum information, dielectrics and different types of magnetic materials, NMR studies of microscopic and electronic properties, as well as semiconductor spintronics. Our atmospheric physics faculty investigate thunderstorm dynamics and mesoscale weather systems.

First-year students may be teaching assistants or research assistants. Teaching responsibilities are light in order to allow an early start on research.

Specific Research Areas

Xinhua Bai:	Astroparticle and Cosmic Ray Physics, Muon and Neutrino Measurements, Dark Matter Search
Robert Corey:	Solid State Nuclear Magnetic Resonance
Luke Corwin:	Experimental Particle Physics, Neutrino Oscillations
Michael Dowding:	Physics Education
Adam French:	Atmospheric physics, thunderstorm dynamics, mesoscale weather systems
David Martinez Caicedo:	Neutrino Physics
Rafał Oszwałdowski:	Theoretical and Computational Condensed Matter, Spintronics, Quantum Information
Andre Petukhov:	Theory of Electronic Materials and Devices, Spintronics, Quantum Computing
Juergen Reichenbacher:	Neutrino Physics, Dark Matter Search, Low Background Counting
Richard Schnee:	Experimental Particle Astrophysics, Dark Matter Search, Low Background Counting
Vladimir Sobolev:	Studies of properties of ferroelectric, magnetic, and magnetoelectric materials
Frank Strieder:	Experimental Nuclear Physics, Nuclear Astrophysics, Nuclear Applications

Degree Options

The principal degree option in the physics graduate program is the PhD.

There are also two MS options, one ending with a thesis, and the other a non-thesis option. In the former option, a thesis based on research is required, while the latter one substitutes additional coursework and a research paper/project for the thesis. Students should expect that completion of an MS degree to take two academic years of full-time study.

Outcomes

The mission of the physics graduate program is to provide students with quality graduate instruction and research experiences preparing them for a number of career options in academia, industry, and at national labs. The outcomes for the graduate programs are:

Students will have deep knowledge of physics.
Students will be able to perform effective research in physics.
Students will communicate effectively.

Financial support

Most graduate students in the Physics Department receive financial assistance in the form of teaching or research assistantships. Students with a qualifying assistantship are entitled to a monthly stipend and significantly reduced tuition rate. Detailed information regarding costs (both with and without an assistantship) is available at: https://www.sdsmt.edu/Academics/Graduate-Education/Tuition-and-Related-Costs/ .

Students wishing to be considered for assistance should submit their application by the deadlines stated on the Office of Graduate Education website.

Background requirements

Students entering the program are expected to have a BS or MS in physics or a related discipline.

Admission requirements

The following items are required to apply for admission:

Official transcripts from all universities attended, including evidence of BS degree.
Statement of purpose
Evidence of English proficiency (applicants from countries where English is not the language of instruction)
General GRE score report
Three letters of recommendation (preferably from parent-institution instructors)
Completed application form
Physics GRE score report (recommended but not required)

Applicants must have at least a 3.0 (B) grade point average in their undergraduate work.

Transfer credits

Policies for transferring credits from outside institutions can be found in the requirements and policies applied to all graduate degrees by the Council of Graduate Education. All transfers are subject to approval by the student’s advisory committee.