American University of Beirut

The department provides courses and facilities for graduate work leading to the MS and PhD degrees. The research activities of the department include material science, condensed and soft matter physics, plasma physics, paramagnetic resonance, nonlinear dynamics, astrophysics, high-energy physics, superstring theory and quantum gravity.

The program leading to the bachelor of science emphasizes the fundamental concepts and principles of physics and their roles in a variety of disciplines with a liberal arts setting. The Department of Physics educational focus is to provide students with high-quality instruction in theoretical and experimental physics. Consequently, theoretical courses, together with computer modeling experience and a comprehensive set of laboratory experiments, introduce the students to various methods of inquiry and research in physics. The emphasis is not only on subject instruction but also on the development of communication and teamwork skills, as well as critical and analytical thinking. The program is designed to graduate well-rounded, free-thinking individuals with inquisitive minds who are well-prepared for further study in basic and applied research and can pursue professional careers in a variety of fields.

Refer to the Faculty of Arts and Sciences section.

The MS program requires the completion of 21 credits of courses and a research thesis. The courses consist of four core courses: PHYS 301, PHYS 302, PHYS 303 and PHYS 305, and 9 credits of physics graduate electives. After completion of the four core courses, the students must pass the GRE subject test, considered by the Department of Physics as the master’s comprehensive exam.

Refer to the section on Thesis Proposal, Thesis Format and Thesis Defense under General University Academic Information.

Refer to Residency Requirements section under General University Academic Information.

The PhD program in the Department of Physics is intended to produce competent, independent researchers who are able to make original contributions to physical sciences. The program prepares students for careers in research, teaching or industry and thus provides qualified scientists for Lebanon and the region. It serves the AUB mission of promoting research and participating in the advancement of knowledge.

Admission to the PhD program is done on a competitive basis. To be eligible for admission, applicants must have an excellent academic record and must demonstrate exceptional motivation and ability to pursue research in physics. The following items are required for an application:

A departmental committee may require an interview with the applicant before giving a recommendation.

Refer to the section on the Supervision of Doctoral Thesis under General University Academic Information.

Refer to the section on the Supervision of Doctoral Thesis under General University Academic Information.

Refer to PhD Publication Requirements under General University Academic Information.

The PhD program requires the completion of a minimum of 18 credit hours of course work. 

The required courses are PHYS 306 and 308 (6 credits) and at least 12 credits beyond the core program, out of which one course must be in the concentration area, while the others can be taken as electives. Students may take relevant courses outside the department provided they secure departmental approval.

Upon completion of a minimum of 15 credits of graduate courses with a cumulative GPA of 3.7 or above in the four core courses, students should sit for PhD Qualification Exam Part I (written comprehensive examination) to determine whether they have acquired the background necessary to continue in the PhD program.

After choosing a thesis adviser, the students should pass the PhD Qualification Exam Part II; the students must formulate, submit, and defend a thesis research proposal to demonstrate a capacity to pursue and complete a doctoral research project.

For more information, refer to the section on PhD Qualifying Exam under General University Academic Information.

Refer to the section on Admission to Candidacy under General University Academic Information.

Refer to the section on PhD Thesis Format and PhD Thesis Defense under General University Academic Information.

Refer to the Residency Requirements section under General University Academic Information.

Students are granted the PhD degree upon approval of the PhD Thesis Committee in a public session. In addition to the general graduation guidelines specified by the university, the Department of Physics also requires that part of the PhD thesis work be published or accepted for publication in a refereed journal by the time of graduation.

Students are expected to abide by the following timetable:

The Department of Physics offers, on a competitive basis, substantial financial support. For full-time students, it covers tuition and includes a monthly stipend. There are also some funds available to support participation in international conferences during PhD study. In return, students help in teaching undergraduate labs and recitations of introductory courses. Their duties may also include help in proctoring and correcting exams.