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Students get ready for research by completing coursework tailored for a Ph.D. program, with many earning a master's degree as an initial milestone. Candidates are given two attempts to clear the Qualifying Examination. The primary objective involves carrying out innovative research under faculty guidance, which is later documented as a thesis and presented during a final oral defense. Our department holds a distinctive position across the University of Missouri System and statewide. We maintain robust research initiatives in astrophysics, atomic, molecular and optical (AMO) physics, alongside condensed matter and materials physics. The AMO physics program stands as the sole offering of its kind within the University of Missouri System. Our astrophysics division hosts Missouri's exclusive LIGO (gravitational wave) research team. The department actively engages in cross-disciplinary work, especially in materials science and advanced computing.