The Industrial Leadership in Physics
Graduate Program at Georgetown
University
Ed Van Keuren
BACKGROUND
Founded in 2001, the Industrial Leadership in
Physics (ILP) program strives for academic
excellence while providing students with the
tools necessary for successful careers in hi-tech
industry. It combines a graduate level
curriculum in advanced applied physics with
training in business management and
entrepreneurship. Our students focus on solving
industrial problems while developing
capabilities in communication, research and
teamwork. This combination of focus and talent
yields graduates with the expertise needed to be
scientists and leaders in hi-tech business.
PROGRAM DETAILS
The program is built around two integrated
areas of concentration: advanced topics in
applied physics and business management and
entrepreneurship. Some highlights of the
program include:
• An innovative modular curriculum in
fundamental physics, centered on solid-state
physics, instrumentation,
problem solving and computer modeling.
• A year-long apprenticeship at the site of an
industrial partner chosen to match the interests
of the student.
• A course on “Industrial Problems in Physics,”
taught by a visiting researcher from industry.
• A strong emphasis on teamwork,
communication, interpersonal skills and team
management.
• Extensive coursework in the highly rated
McDonough School of Business, including the
Business Gateway for Physicists, an intensive
course that introduces physics graduate students
to the basic principles of business.
INDUSTRIAL APPRENTICESHIPS
After four semesters of coursework in
physics, intellectual property and business,
our graduate students spend approximately
one year as an industrial apprentice.
 Students work on problems assigned by the
partner at the company location, building
skills in applied physics and work relations.
 Intellectual property agreement that
guarantees the partner all rights to the work
performed during the apprenticeship.
 Cost-effective way to hire qualified
candidates to meet their current needs.
 The industrial partner pays a flat fee to the
university, which is competitive with a typical
salary for a masters-level employee. The fee
provides the student’s salary and benefits for
the apprenticeship.
Students engaged in apprenticeship research
RECENT INDUSTRIAL PARTNERS
 Arete Associates, Alexandria, VA
 IBM, San Jose, CA
 ITT Industries, Alexandria, VA
 Johns Hopkins University, Applied Physics
Lab, Baltimore, MD
 National Institute of Standards and
Technology (NIST), Gaithersburg, MD
 Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, DC
 Optical Air Data Systems, Manassas, VA
 SAIC, Northern VA
 Seagate Technology, Pittsburgh, PA
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