About this Program

Our Ph.D. program provides students with opportunities to perform research in some of the most current and dynamic areas of physics. In the first two years, students develop a solid and broad base of physics knowledge through the core curriculum, departmental colloquia, and research training. Armed with the core knowledge, doctoral students join a research group working in an area of particular interest. This research is performed in very close collaboration with one or more faculty whose interests span a wide range of physics fields.

Program Highlights

  • The physics department has been selected by the University to achieve national prominence, taking advantage of Old Dominion's proximity (a half-hour drive) to the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility (TJNAF), the world's premier nuclear physics research facility, and the NASA Langley Research Center.

  • The addition of the new Physical Sciences Research Building we offer substantial additional opportunities for research to graduate and undergraduate students alike.

  • The opportunity for intimate involvement in research with world-class faculty is here for any interested student.

AT A GLANCE
Degree Level
Graduate
Degree Earned
Doctor of Philosophy
Delivery Modes
On-Campus

Careers

Check out these ideas from 51Ç鱨վ's Center for Career & Leadership Development and the . A median salary is a midpoint of what people typically earn—half of those surveyed earned above the median salary, and half earned below.

Physicists

$123,080 Median Salary

Conduct research into physical phenomena, develop theories on the basis of observation and experiments, and devise methods to apply physical laws and theories.

Physics Teachers, Postsecondary

$101,190 Median Salary

Teach courses pertaining to the laws of matter and energy. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

Requirements

What are the requirements to apply for Physics at 51Ç鱨վ?
Students entering the Doctor of Philosophy program in Physics should meet the minimum university admission requirements Graduate Admission.

Cost of Attendance

We believe in providing students with transparent and accessible information about the cost of attendance. 

Review the estimated tuition rates for the 2024-25 academic year (subject to change). Non-resident rates are charged for anyone who is not a current Virginia resident, including international students.

Virginia Resident
Cost Per-Credit $620
Technology Delivered Courses Outside Virginia and/or the United States
Cost Per-Credit $642
Non-Resident
Cost Per-Credit $1,486

Ways to Fund Your Degree

There are a few ways for you to save on the cost of attending 51Ç鱨վ, including scholarships, assistantships, and student loans. For more details about financial aid at Old Dominion, visit the Financial Aid Office page.

Contact

Associate Professor

219 OCEANOGRAPHY & PHYSICS BLDG
NORFOLK, 23529