Chemical Physics (CHPH)
Graduate Degree Program
College: Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences
Abstract
The Chemical Physics Program is a course of study and research leading to a Doctor of Philosophy degree for students who wish to enter professional careers requiring an in-depth knowledge of both physics and chemistry. Students can choose research topics across many disciplines including biophysics, chemistry, physics, chemical engineering, electrical engineering, materials and nuclear engineering, mechanical engineering, meteorology and quantum science, information and technology.
The Chemical Physics Program is designed for students with undergraduate degrees in Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, or Engineering who are sufficiently well prepared in mathematics and the physical sciences to undertake graduate training in physics and physical chemistry. Formal course offerings in quantum mechanics, quantum chemistry, spectroscopy, thermodynamics, electricity and magnetism, statistical mechanics and biophysics prepare a student to explore the broad range of research topics at the University of Maryland.
The Chemical Physics Program is hosted and administered by the Institute for Physical Science and Technology, in collaboration with seven academic departments: Chemistry and Biochemistry, Physics, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Materials and Nuclear Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Meteorology. The Chemical Physics Committee oversees the program and is made up of representatives (Chemical Physics faculty) from the sponsoring units with the Program Director as chair. Formal arrangements with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the National Institute of Health (NIH) allow students to perform research off campus under the supervision of a government scientist associated with the program and a Chemical Physics faculty member.
Research areas include Atmospheric and Space Sciences; Nano, Meso, and Micro-Scale Science and Technologies; Experimental and Theoretical Atomic, Molecular and Optical (AMO) Sciences and Ultrafast Optics; Experimental and Theoretical Condensed Matter and Material Sciences; Neutron Scattering and NMR; Experimental and Theoretical Nonlinear Dynamics and Chaos; Experimental and Theoretical Quantum Science, Information and Technology -- Joint Quantum Institute (JQI), the Joint Center for Quantum Information and Computer Science (QuICS) and the Quantum Technology Center (QTC); Experimental and Theoretical Statistical Mechanics, Phase Transitions and Thermodynamics.
Financial Assistance
Students are admitted with Teaching Assistantships or Research Assistantships. University and Chemical Physics Fellowships are also available.
Contact
Wendell T Hill, III
Professor, IPST & Physics
Fellow, Joint Quantum Institute
Director, Chemical Physics Program
Telephone: 301.405.4813
Email: wth@umd.edu
Jessica Crosby
Program Coordinator
2123 Institute for Physical Science and Technology
8108 Regents Drive
University of Maryland
College Park, MD 20742
Telephone: 301.405.9307
Email: jcrosby@umd.edu
Website: http://www.chemicalphysics.umd.edu
The program is for students with undergraduate degrees in chemistry, physics, mathematics, or engineering. For those students with degrees in other disciplines, knowledge of calculus, differential equations, and vector algebra, as well as introductory mechanics, electricity and magnetism, and quantum mechanics is ordinarily expected.
GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
- Statement of Purpose
- Transcript(s)
- TOEFL/IELTS/PTE (international graduate students)
PROGRAM-SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS
- Letters of Recommendation (3)
- Graduate Record Examination (GRE) (optional)
- GRE Subject (optional)
- CV/Resume
- Writing Sample (optional)
- Description of Research/Work Experience
- Supplementary Application (contact program for details)
For more information on admission, please visit the Graduate School website: www.gradschool.umd.edu/admissions
APPLICATION DEADLINES
| Type of Applicant | Fall Deadline | Spring Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Domestic Applicants | ||
| US Citizens and Permanent Residents | January 7, 2025 (Final) | N/A |
| December 13, 2024 is the priority deadline to be considered for fellowship nominations. | ||
| International Applicants | ||
| F (student) or J (exchange visitor) visas; A,E,G,H,I and L visas and immigrants | January 7, 2025 (Final) | N/A |
| December 13, 2024 is the priority deadline to be considered for fellowship nominations. |
RESOURCES AND LINKS:
Program Website: chemicalphysics.umd.edu
Application Process: gradschool.umd.edu/admissions/application-process/step-step-guide-applying
Incoming students are provided with private desk space and up to date computer facilities. There is a wide array of advanced equipment associated with the various research groups in the Program including scanning probe microscopes, high-resolution spectrographs, ultra-short high-power lasers, multi-coincidence electron scattering spectrometers, and a fully equipped light-scattering laboratory.
| Last Name | First/Middle Name | Graduate Faculty Status | Academic Credentials | Positions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alexander | Millard H. | Full Member | B.A., Harvard University, 1964; Ph.D.,University of Paris, 1967. | Distinguished University Professor, Applied Mathematics & Statistics, and Scientific Computation Distinguished University Professor, Chemical Physics Distinguished University Professor, Chemistry |
| Anisimov | Mikhail A. | Full Member | Ph.D., Moscow State University, 1968. | Professor, Chemical Engineering Professor, Chemical Physics |
| Briber | Robert M. | Full Member | B.S.,Cornell University, 1979; M.S., University of Massachusetts-Amherst, 1981; Ph.D., 1984. | Professor, Materials Science and Engineering Professor, Biophysics Professor, Chemical Physics |
| Carton | James A. | Full Member | B.S.E., Princeton University, 1976; M.S.,University of Washington, 1979; M.A., Princeton University, 1980; Ph.D., 1983. | Chair, Atmospheric and Oceanic Science Professor, Applied Mathematics & Statistics, and Scientific Computation Professor, Chemical Physics |
| Clark | Charles | Adjunct Member | B.A., Western Washington University, 1974; Ph.D., University of Chicago, 1979. | Adjunct Professor, Physics Adjunct Professor, Chemical Physics |
| Coplan | Michael A. | Full Member | B.A., Williams College, 1960; Ph.D., Yale University, 1963. | Professor, Chemical Physics |
| Cumings | John | Full Member | Ph.D. University of California, Berkeley 2002 | Associate Professor, Materials Science and Engineering Assistant Professor, Chemical Physics |
| Dagenais | Mario | Full Member | B.Sc., Universite de Montreal,1974; M.S., University of Rochester, 1976; Ph.D., 1978. | Professor, Electrical and Computer Engineering Professor, Chemical Physics |
| Davis | Christopher C. | Associate | B.A., Cambridge University, 1965; M.A., 1970; Ph.D., Manchester University, 1970. | Professor, Chemical Physics |
| Dimitrakopoulos | Panagiotis | Full Member | Diploma, National Technical University of Athens, 1991; M.S., University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, 1996; Ph.D., University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, 1998. | Associate Professor, Chemical Engineering Associate Professor, Chemical Physics |
| Ehrman | Sheryl H. | Full Member | B.S., University of California-Santa Barbara, 1991; Ph.D., University of California-Los Angeles, 1997. | Professor, Chemical Physics |
| Eichhorn | Bryan W. | Full Member | B.A., Rollins College, 1983;Ph.D., Indiana University-Bloomington, 1987. | Professor, Chemical Physics Professor, Chemistry Affiliate Professor, Materials Science and Engineering |
| Falvey | Daniel E. | Full Member | B.S., North Dakota State University-Fargo, 1983; Ph.D.,University of Illinois-Urbana/Champaign, 1988. | Professor, Chemical Physics Professor, Chemistry |
| Fourkas | John T. | Full Member | Ph.D. Stanford University 1991) | Professor, Chemical Physics Professor, Chemistry |
| Fushman | David | Full Member | M.S., University of Kazan, 1978; Ph.D., University of Kazan, 1985. | Associate Director, Biophysics Professor, Biochemistry Professor, Chemical Physics Professor, Chemistry |
| Gudipati | Murthy S. | Non-Member | Ph.D. Indian Institute of Science, Bagalore, India 1987 | Associate Research Scientist, Chemical Physics |
| Gupta | Ashwani K. | Full Member | B.Sc., Punjab University, 1966; M.Sc.,University of Southampton, 1970; Ph.D., University of Sheffield, 1973; D.Sc.,1986. | Distinguished University Professor, Mechanical Engineering Distinguished University Professor, Chemical Physics |
| Gutierrez | Osvaldo | Full Member | Ph.D., UC Davis, 2009; B.S. and M.S. UCLA, 2012 | Assistant Professor, Chemistry Affiliate Professor, Chemical Physics |
| Hill | Wendell | Full Member | B.A., University of California-Irvine, 1974; M.S., Stanford University, 1976; Ph.D., Stanford University, 1980 | Professor, Chemical Physics |
| Jarzynski | Christopher | Full Member | Professor, Physics Professor, Biophysics Professor, Chemical Physics Professor, Chemistry | |
| Koeth | Timothy | Non-Member | Ph.D., Rutgers University, 2009 | Research Assistant Professor, Chemical Physics |
| Kofinas | Peter | Full Member | B.S., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 1989; M.S., 1989; Ph.D., 1994. | Professor, Chemical Physics Affiliate Professor, Materials Science and Engineering Affiliate Professor, Bioengineering Affiliate Professor, Chemical Engineering |
| Lathrop | Daniel P. | Full Member | B.A., University of California-Berkeley, 1987; Ph.D., University of Texas-Austin, 1991. | Professor, Geology Professor, Physics Professor, Chemical Physics |
| Lee | Sang Bok | Full Member | B.S., Seoul National University, 1990; M.S. 1992; Ph.D. 1997 | Professor, Chemical Physics Professor, Chemistry Affiliate Professor, Materials Science and Engineering |
| Lett | Paul | Adjunct Member | Ph.D. University of Rochester; 1986 - NIST | Adjunct Professor, Physics University Affiliate, Chemical Physics |
| Losert | Wolfgang | Full Member | M.S., University of Munich, 1995; Ph.D., City College of New York, 1998 | Professor, Physics Professor, Biophysics Associate Professor, Chemical Physics Affiliate Professor, Bioengineering |
| Martinez-Miranda | Luz | Full Member | B.S.,University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras/San Juan, 1977; B.Mus., 1979; M.S.,1979; Ph.D., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 1985. | Professor, Materials Science and Engineering Associate Professor, Chemical Physics |
| Mignerey | Alice C. | Full Member | B.S.,University of Rochester, 1971; M.S., 1973; Ph.D., 1975. | Professor, Chemical Physics Professor, Chemistry |
| Milchberg | Howard M. | Full Member | B.S., McMaster University-Hamilton, 1979; Ph.D., Princeton University, 1985. | Distinguished Scholar-Teacher, Physics Professor, Electrical and Computer Engineering Professor, Physics Professor, Chemical Physics |
| Mullin | Amy | Full Member | B.A. University of California, Santa Cruz, 1985 Ph.D. University of Colorado, Boulder, 1991 | Professor, Chemical Physics Professor, Chemistry |
| Munday | Jeremy | Full Member | B.S., Middle Tennessee State University, 2003; Ph.D., Harvard, 2008 | Assistant Professor, Chemical Physics |
| Murphy | Thomas E. | Full Member | B.A., Rice University, 1994; B.S., 1994; M.S., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 1997; Ph.D., 2001 | Professor, Electrical and Computer Engineering Professor, Chemical Physics |
| Nie | Zhihong | Non-Member | Ph.D., University of Toronto, Canada, 2008 | Assistant Professor, Chemical Physics Assistant Professor, Chemistry |
| Nigam | Sumant | Full Member | M.S.,Indian Institute of Technology-Kanpur, 1978; Ph.D., Princeton University, 1983 | Professor, Atmospheric and Oceanic Science Professor, Chemical Physics |
| Ott | Edward | Full Member | B.S., The Cooper Union, 1963; M.S., Polytechnic Institute of Brooklyn, 1965; Ph.D., 1967. | Distinguished University Professor, Electrical and Computer Engineering Distinguished University Professor, Applied Mathematics & Statistics, and Scientific Computation Distinguished University Professor, Physics Distinguished University Professor, Chemical Physics |
| Ouyang | Min | Full Member | B.S., Peking University, 1995; M.S., Peking University, 1996; A.M., Harvard University, 1999; Ph.D., Harvard University, 2001; | Associate Professor, Physics Associate Professor, Chemical Physics Affiliate Associate Professor, Materials Science and Engineering |
| Paglione | Johnpierre | Full Member | B.S., Queen's University at Kingston, 1999; M.S., University of Toronto, 2000; Ph.D., 2004. | Associate Professor, Physics Associate Professor, Chemical Physics |
| Papoian | Garegin | Full Member | B.S.,1994,Russian Academy of Science; Ph.D., 1999, Cornell University | Director, Chemical Physics Associate Professor, Biophysics Associate Professor, Chemistry |
| Phillips | William D. | Adjunct Member | B.S., Juniata College, 1970; Ph.D., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 1976. | Distinguished University Professor, Physics Distinguished University Professor, Chemical Physics |
| Rabin | Oded | Full Member | B.A., The Technion - Israel Institute of Technology 1996; M.Sc., Weizmann Institute of Science, 1998; Ph.D., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2004 | Associate Professor, Materials Science and Engineering Associate Professor, Chemical Physics |
| Raghavan | Srinivasa R. | Full Member | B.Tech., IIT Madras, 1992; Ph.D., North Carolina State University, 1998. | Professor, Chemical Engineering Professor, Chemical Physics |
| Reutt-Robey | Janice | Full Member | B.A., Haverford College, 1980 Ph.D., University of California-Berkeley, 1986. | Professor, Chemical Physics Professor, Chemistry |
| Rodriguez | Efrain | Full Member | Ph.D., University of California, 2009 | Associate Professor, Chemical Physics Associate Professor, Chemistry |
| Rolston | Steven L. | Non-Member | Ph.D. SUNY, Stonybrook, 1986. Laser cooling of neutral atoms;ultra cold plasmas; Bose-Einstein condensation; quantum information. | Co-Director, Physics Professor, Physics Professor, Chemical Physics |
| Roy | Rajarshi | Full Member | B.S., University of Delhi, 1973; M.S., 1975; M.A., University of Rochester,1977; Ph.D., 1981. | Professor, Physics Professor, Chemical Physics |
| Salamanca-Riba | Lourdes G. | Full Member | Ph.D, Massachusetts Instutite of Technology. | Associate Chair, Materials Science and Engineering Professor, Materials Science and Engineering Professor, Chemical Physics |
| Sengers | Jan V. | Full Member | B.S., University of Amsterdam, 1952; M.S., 1955; Ph.D., 1962; Ph.D., Delft University of Technology, 1992. | Distinguished University Professor Emeritus, Mechanical Engineering Research Professor, Chemical Physics |
| Seo | Eun-Suk | Full Member | B.S., Korea University-Seoul, 1984; M.S., 1986; Ph.D., Louisiana State University-Baton Rouge, 1991. | Professor, Physics Professor, Chemical Physics |
| Sita | Lawrence R. | Full Member | B.S., Carnegie-Mellon University, 1981; Ph.D., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 1985. | Professor, Chemical Physics Professor, Chemistry Affiliate Professor, Materials Science and Engineering |
| Upadhyaya | Arpita | Full Member | B.E. & M.S., Birla Institute of Technology and Science, India, 1994; Ph.D., University of Notre Dame, 2000; | Associate Professor, Physics Assistant Professor, Biophysics Assistant Professor, Chemical Physics |
| Vedernikov | Andrei | Full Member | B.S., State University of Kanzan, Russia, 1980; Ph.D., 1986; Doctorized, 1999. | Professor, Chemical Physics Professor, Chemistry |
| Wang | Yu-Huang | Full Member | Ph.D. Rice University, 2004 | Assistant Professor, Chemical Physics Assistant Professor, Chemistry |
| Weeks | John D. | Full Member | B.A., Harvard University, 1965; Ph.D., University of Chicago, 1969. | Distinguished University Professor, Biophysics Distinguished University Professor, Chemical Physics Distinguished University Professor, Chemistry Affiliate Professor, Physics |
| White | Ian | Full Member | Ph.D., Stanford University 2002 | Associate Chair, Bioengineering Associate Professor, Bioengineering Assistant Professor, Chemical Physics |
| Williams | Carl | Full Member | B.A., Rice University, 1981; Ph.D., University of Chicago, 1987. | Adjunct Professor, Physics University Affiliate, Chemical Physics |
| Williams | Ellen D. | Full Member | B.S., Michigan State University, 1976;Ph.D., California Institute of Technology, 1981. Currently on leave) | Distinguished University Professor, Physics Distinguished University Professor, Chemical Physics |
| Yu | Yihua Bruce | Full Member | Ph.D., Johns Hopkins University, 1996. | Associate Professor, Chemical Physics |