202 FRIB Graduate Brochure

Admissions and
degree process
We are committed to providing the highest quality graduate education in nuclear science,
nuclear astrophysics, accelerator physics and related instrumentation technologies. Our
process is part of MSU’s top-ranked nuclear physics graduate program. Apply today to
accelerate your journey to a rewarding career.
1. Apply
The degree requirements and curricula differ, depending
on whether you are in the Department of Chemistry,
Department of Physics and Astronomy, or the College
of Engineering. We refer you to the corresponding
departments for application procedures and admission,
course, and degree requirements.
5. Complete your program, advance to a
rewarding career
After you advance to PhD candidacy, it usually takes two
to four years to complete the original research that forms
the basis for your dissertation.
2. Individualized curriculum
Based on your background, the graduate advisors in each
department will put together an individual curriculum
for you. Students accepted into the graduate program
at FRIB receive teaching or research assistantships. At
FRIB, your first contact point is the Associate Director
(AD) for Education, who will discuss with you the various
options and opportunities for research topics. The AD for
Education will continue to serve as contact between you,
FRIB, and your respective department for the duration of
your thesis studies.
3. Research toward thesis
Graduate students at FRIB will perform their research
under the guidance of a faculty member. Faculty can
serve as the direct thesis supervisor, as they have either
joint or adjunct appointments at one of the departments.
The research environment at FRIB is collaborative, and
the connection between individual research groups is
strong. For example, within a collaboration a professor in
the Department of Physics and Astronomy can supervise
a chemistry student and vice versa. After you choose your
area of research, you will form your guidance committee,
which will meet with you at least once a year to ensure
satisfactory progress towards your degree.
4. Put in the work
All 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.
A graduate student reads over results at a poster session.
QUESTIONS?
CONTACT FRIB EDUCATION:
Heiko Hergert, Associate Director for Education,
gradschool@frib.msu.edu
Tabitha Pinckney, Educational Program Coordinator,
pinckney@frib.msu.edu
30
2022_FRIB_Graduate_Brochurev4.indd 30
10/29/2021 3:33:44 PM