The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Physics requires a minimum of 48 credit hours of graduate work exclusive of dissertation. These credit hours must include:
PHYS *466, 505, 511, 521, 522.
Three seminars (PHYS 500 and/or 501).
Four electives chosen from a list of courses specified on the Department’s Graduate Handbook.
Details must be discussed with a graduate advisor each semester.
Under the terms of an agreement between the University of New Mexico and Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) or Sandia National Laboratories (SNL), candidates for a doctoral degree in Physics may conduct dissertation research at LANL or SNL. Certain conditions have been specified by LANL or SNL for the acceptance of students for research, and each case is considered on an individual basis.
Concentration in Astrophysics
The Ph.D. in Physics with a concentration in Astrophysics requires a minimum of 48 credit hours of graduate work exclusive of dissertation. These hours must include:
ASTR 536.
ASTR 537.
Three courses selected from: PHYS *466, 505, 511, 521.
Three seminars (PHYS 500 and/or 501).
Four elective courses. Recommended: ASTR 526, 538, 539; PHYS 581 (when the topic is Cosmology or High Energy Astrophysics).
September 2025
College of Arts and Sciences
MSC 03 2120, Ortega Hall 201,
1 University of New Mexico,
ALBUQUERQUE,
New Mexico,
87131, United States
Must have an undergraduate degree in physics or in a related field. Their undergraduate program of studies must have included courses in thermodynamics, electricity and magnetism, quantum mechanics and classical mechanics. There is no foreign language requirement for graduate degrees in Physics. Proficiency in at least one computer language is encouraged.
Demonstrated proficiency in English:
International English Language Testing System (IELTS) - minimum score 6.5; the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) - minimum score 550 paper-based, or 79-80 Internet-based; the Duolingo English Test - minimum score 105; the University of Cambridge Examinations Certificate of Proficiency in English (CAPE) or Certificate of Advanced English (CAE) - minimum score C; or the Pearson Test of English- Academic (PTE) - minimum score 53
Application Deadlines
Fall: January 10th
Spring: August 1st
*There may be different IELTS requirements depending on your chosen course.
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