Applied Physics

The Applied Physics program includes faculty from the departments of physics and astronomy, chemistry, materials science, electrical and computer engineering, bioengineering, chemical and biomolecular engineering, statistics, biosciences, computational and applied mathematics, and earth science.

A joint effort of both the natural sciences and the engineering schools at Rice where the application of physics principles is beneficial, and overseen by the Smalley-Curl Institute (SCI), the Applied Physics Program (APP) is administered by a committee composed of members from the participating departments mentioned above. The objective is to provide an interdisciplinary graduate education in the basic science that underlies important technology. The faculty believes that the experience obtained by performing research at the intellectually stimulating interface of physical science and engineering is particularly effective in producing graduates who succeed in careers based on new and emerging technologies.

Due to the interdisciplinary nature of the program, students can involve virtually any of the research facilities in either the natural sciences or engineering schools of Rice University. The Applied Physics Curriculum and Admissions Committee (APCAC) urges prospective students to contact individual departments or SCI for detailed descriptions of research facilities and ongoing research projects.

Applied Physics does not currently offer an academic program at the undergraduate level. 

Master's Program

• Master of Science (MS) Degree in the field of Applied Physics*

Doctoral Program

• Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Degree in the field of Applied Physics

Chair, Applied Physics Graduate Program

Kevin Kelly

Director, Smalley-Curl Institute

Naomi J. Halas

Executive Director, Smalley-Curl Institute 

Alberto Pimpinelli

For Rice University degree-granting programs:
To view the list of official course offerings, please see Rice’s Course Catalog
To view the most recent semester’s course schedule, please see Rice's Course Schedule

Applied Physics (APPL)

Description and Code Legend

Note: Internally, the university uses the following descriptions, codes, and abbreviations for this academic program. The following is a quick reference:

Course Catalog/Schedule 

• Course offerings/subject codes: Courses from various subjects may apply toward the graduate degree

Program Description and Code

• Applied Physics: APPL

Graduate Degree Descriptions and Codes

• Master of Science degree: MS
• Doctor of Philosophy degree: PhD

Graduate Degree Program Descriptions and Codes

• Degree Program for Applied Physics students in Bioengineering: APBI 
• Degree Program for Applied Physics students in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering: APCB
• Degree Program for Applied Physics students in Chemistry: APCH 
• Degree Program for Applied Physics students in Computational and Applied Mathematics: APCA
• Degree Program for Applied Physics students in Earth Science: APEA 
• Degree Program for Applied Physics students in Electrical Engineering: APEL 
• Degree Program for Applied Physics students in Materials Science and NanoEngineering: APMS 
• Degree Program for Applied Physics students in Mechanical Engineering: APME 
• Degree Program for Applied Physics students in Physics: APPH
• Degree Program for Applied Physics students in Statistics: APST
• Degree Program offered to students in Applied Physics (1st year students only): APPL

CIP Code and Description¹

• APBI Major/Program: CIP Code/Title: 14.1201 - Engineering Physics/Applied Physics
• APCA Major/Program: CIP Code/Title: 14.1201 - Engineering Physics/Applied Physics 
• APCB Major/Program: CIP Code/Title: 14.1201 - Engineering Physics/Applied Physics
• APCH Major/Program: CIP Code/Title: 40.0899 - Physics, Other
• APEA Major/Program: CIP Code/Title: 40.0899 - Physics, Other
• APEL Major/Program: CIP Code/Title: 14.1201 - Engineering Physics/Applied Physics
• APME Major/Program: CIP Code/Title: 14.1201 - Engineering Physics/Applied Physics
• APMS Major/Program: CIP Code/Title: 14.1201 - Engineering Physics/Applied Physics
• APPH Major/Program: CIP Code/Title: 40.0899 - Physics, Other
• APPL Major/Program: CIP Code/Title: 40.0899 - Physics, Other
• APST Major/Program: CIP Code/Title: 14.1201 - Engineering Physics/Applied Physics