--- title: "Exploring the Universe: A Complete Guide to Earning a Ph.D. in Physics" description: We're exploring why you should study physics and introducing an up-to-date resource about the opportunities available through SMU's PhD program in Physics. image: https://gradarticles.smu.edu/hubfs/Physics%20Pillar/Physics.jpeg --- [Skip to content](https://gradarticles.smu.edu/advancing-the-field/exploring-the-universe-a-complete-guide-to-earning-a-phd-in-physics#main-content) [![SMU logo](https://gradarticles.smu.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/SMU%20logo.png?width=150&height=44&name=SMU%20logo.png "SMU logo")](https://www.smu.edu/) [EXPLORE SMU](https://www.smu.edu/aboutsmu) ## [Moody School of Graduate and Advanced Studies](https://www.smu.edu/moody/) - About Show submenu for About - [About](https://www.smu.edu/moody/about) - [Mission and History](https://www.smu.edu/moody/about/mission-and-history) - [Moody Foundation Gift](https://www.smu.edu/moody/about/moody-foundation-gift) - [Charter](https://www.smu.edu/-/media/Site/Moody/graduate/Moody-School-Charter-Summer-2021-Final.pdf) - 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[Faculty & Staff](https://www.smu.edu/infofor/faculty-staff) [All Posts](https://gradarticles.smu.edu/advancing-the-field) # Exploring the Universe: A Complete Guide to Earning a Ph.D. in Physics [Physics](https://gradarticles.smu.edu/advancing-the-field/tag/physics) December 19, 2019 ![Physics](https://gradarticles.smu.edu/hubfs/Physics%20Pillar/Physics.jpeg) Physics is the study of space, time, energy, and matter. Physicists try to ask and answer, in a verifiable and reproducible way, the deepest questions about the origin, nature, and fate of the universe. The study of physics encompasses the study of the universe from the largest galaxies to the smallest subatomic particles. In this sense, it is the broadest and most fundamental science. Today, we're exploring why you should study physics at the graduate level and introducing an up-to-date resource about the research and career opportunities available through SMU's Ph.D. program in Physics. ## A Ph.D. in Physics Helps You Develop Universal Skills For many prospective graduate students, it can be tough to think beyond graduate school. You are focused on choosing a program and research opportunities that will allow you to thrive in a field you love. But it's important to recognize that when you choose to pursue a Ph.D. program, you are also choosing what kinds of skills you will develop, regardless of whether you end up in academia, working in the industry, or working in a different, but related industry. If you have an aptitude for physics, a Ph.D. in the field opens up many career doors. [![Access our up-to-date digital resource today: "Exploring the Universe: A Complete Guide to Earning a Ph.D. in Physics."](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/3974384/a8320a27-a24d-410f-a414-809f2ce837bc.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/3974384/a8320a27-a24d-410f-a414-809f2ce837bc) This is because physics Ph.D. students have an enormous capacity for **complex theoretical thinking**. The majority of their graduate work is discovering problems that no one knows exist, and then coming up with solutions to these problems. This process of thinking through complex and undefined issues with incomplete data is skill that allows physicists to excel across STEM disciplines and careers. Graduate students — especially within the physics discipline — also develop a distinct ability to **visualize information and models**. This skill helps job seekers take in data and information and analyze and process it in visual ways that are easier to understand for individuals not in the field. Similarly, physics graduate students are known for their ability to carefully **analyze data and draw conclusions**. This skill of information synthesis, evaluation, and transformation is in high demand in the field of physics and in many related STEM fields. ## Explore What You Can Learn in a Physics Ph.D. Program We have just the thing you need to learn more about pursuing a Ph.D. in physics. In our updated guide, you will get a chance to: - Explore what it means to study physics, - See what types of careers are available to physicists, - Discover notable research happening at SMU in the field of physics, - Receive advice from physics professors, as well as past and current students. [![guide-to-physics-resources](https://gradarticles.smu.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/Physics%20Pillar/guide-to-physics-resources.png?width=300&name=guide-to-physics-resources.png)](https://grad.smu.edu/exploring-the-universe-a-guide-to-studying-physics-at-southern-methodist-university) We hope this guide will answer all of your questions about applying for and earning a [Ph.D. in Physics](https://grad.smu.edu/exploring-the-universe-a-guide-to-studying-physics-at-southern-methodist-university), as well as the opportunities available for experts in this field. If you would like more information, we invite you to subscribe to our graduate blog, [*Advancing the Field*](https://gradarticles.smu.edu/advancing-the-field), for articles and resources specifically for Ph.D. students. You can also [request more information](https://www.smu.edu/graduate/Contact) or email us with your questions. We hope this resource helps you along your graduate school journey! ### **Explore our digital resource — Exploring the Universe: A Complete Guide to Earning a Ph.D. in Physics — to learn about this fundamental field.** **[![Access the Guide](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/3974384/01d016b6-0b6a-4ad8-bcbe-76c821193390.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/3974384/01d016b6-0b6a-4ad8-bcbe-76c821193390)** ##### Request *more* ### information Complete the form to reach out to us for more information ###### Written By ![](https://gradarticles.smu.edu/hubfs/smu-favicon.jpeg) [Moody School of Graduate and Advanced Studies](https://gradarticles.smu.edu/advancing-the-field/author/smu-graduate-studies) ###### Published On December 19, 2019 ## More articles ###### Recommended articles for you [Physics](https://gradarticles.smu.edu/advancing-the-field/tag/physics) ### [Meet Dr. Deiana, an Experimental High Energy Particle Physicist](https://gradarticles.smu.edu/advancing-the-field/meet-dr-deiana-an-experimental-high-energy-particle-physicist) *Note: this interview was condensed and edited for clarity.* For some people, the call to a... [Read More](https://gradarticles.smu.edu/advancing-the-field/meet-dr-deiana-an-experimental-high-energy-particle-physicist) [Physics](https://gradarticles.smu.edu/advancing-the-field/tag/physics) ### [From Space Centers to Particle Accelerators: James' Journey in SMU's Physics Ph.D. Program](https://gradarticles.smu.edu/advancing-the-field/from-space-centers-to-particle-accelerators-james-journey-in-smus-physics-phd-program) *Note: this interview was condensed and edited for clarity.*  You may be interested in the field of... [Read More](https://gradarticles.smu.edu/advancing-the-field/from-space-centers-to-particle-accelerators-james-journey-in-smus-physics-phd-program) [Physics](https://gradarticles.smu.edu/advancing-the-field/tag/physics) ### [Here's How SMU's Physics Department Is Opening Doors into STEM for the Next Generation](https://gradarticles.smu.edu/advancing-the-field/heres-how-smus-physics-department-is-opening-doors-into-stem-for-the-next-generation) *Special thanks to Dr. Olness who contributed insight and material for this piece.* When was the... 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