Academic Excellence at NSCL and MSU

NSCL is committed to providing the highest quality graduate education in nuclear science, accelerator physics, and related instrumentation technologies. The Ph.D. requirements and curricula differ, depending on whether you matriculate in the Department of Chemistry or in the Department of Physics and Astronomy.

Based on your background, the Graduate Advisors in each department will put together an individual curriculum for you. We list some typical graduate curricula to give you an idea of what to expect.

All NSCL graduate students actively participate in Research Discussion, Nuclear Seminars, Departmental Colloquia, and the daily laboratory business.

Essential to a doctoral degree is that you develop and then demonstrate the ability to conduct vital, independent research. To become an independent researcher you will need to develop a set of proficiencies.

You will perform your research at NSCL under the guidance of a faculty member with a joint appointment in your department and at NSCL. After you advance to Ph.D. candidacy it usually takes two to four years to complete the original research that forms the basis for your dissertation.