Teaching assistants are granted full tuition remission and a salary of $14,000 for the nine-month academic year1 (September-May). Summer research assistantships may be available at approximately $4,700 additional. Holders of teaching assistantships must assist in the teaching of the general physics and other introductory courses. This is valuable training for any student. Experience in teaching is considered to be an essential part of the Ph.D. program. The normal load is five to eight contact hours per week.
Research assistantships provide an opportunity for acquiring valuable experience in ongoing experimental or theoretical research.1 The minimum stipend is usually $18,000 for the year, while the maximum is $18,700 for the year, dependent upon past experience, merit and academic performance. (These awards are not usually given to first-year students, unless they have special experience.)
Rowland Fellowships, which require no duties, are sometimes available. Remuneration is comparable to the above teaching and research assistantships. The university awards George E. Owen Fellowships on a competitive basis to exceptionally qualified students. These fellowships are for $2,500 and are awarded in addition to a Rowland Fellowship or Teaching Assistantship. Students are also eligible for Swomley Fellowships, which cover travel, books, computers and other expenses associated with their studies. Davis Fellowships, also with no required duties, are available to exceptional students intending to study astrophysics. The stipend is set equal to that of contemporary NSF postdoctoral fellowships.
All fellowship holders and research assistants in the department register as full-time students, and thus may absolve their residence requirements while holding appointments. Loans and work-study arrangements are available from the Office of Financial Aid.
1. 2001-02 academic year figures. Teaching and research assistantship stipends are generally increased each academic year.
