Admission to the Graduate Programs in the Physical Sciences Division

Applicants for admission to graduate studies in a particular branch of the Physical Sciences should refer to individual department entries for specific admissions requirements.

An applicant who has received a bachelor’s degree or the master’s degree from an accredited college or university may be admitted on the basis of his or her previous academic record.

An applicant who has completed at least two years of college work with superior standing in the basic courses of a special field and an adequate record of general studies but who does not have a four-year bachelor’s degree may be admitted to the division to study toward a higher degree. However, failure to qualify for a higher degree leaves the student with no degree. Admission on this basis is recommended only for those with high aptitude for their major field and with not more than two deficiencies in general education covering the areas of English, modern foreign languages, humanities, social science, and biological science.

A person may be admitted as a graduate student-at-large or as a returning scholar for the purpose of studying a definite subject or subjects for which he or she has an adequate background. Admission is considered upon the basis of an abbreviated application, such credentials as may be appropriate, and a clearly defined statement of objectives. Application is made to the Graham School of General Studies, Judd Hall, 5835 Kimbark Avenue, Chicago, IL 60637.

FINANCIAL AID

Most graduate students at the doctoral level in the Division of the Physical Sciences receive some form of financial support. Almost all advanced students engaged in thesis research have research assistantships and receive stipends from the research sponsor’s contract or grant. A merit tuition scholarship normally accompanies such assistantships. Since teaching experience is a requirement for the Ph.D. degree in all departments, many students, usually in their first and second years of graduate study, serve as teaching assistants in undergraduate courses offered by their departments. Other forms of support include fellowships provided by the National Science Foundation, the U.S. Department of Education, and various private foundations. The University provides a limited number of special scholarships and fellowships for outstanding students from its own student aid funds and from privately endowed funds.

This text was last revised on 9/02/2003.