The physics program offers instruction and opportunities for research in the areas of solid state physics, high energy physics, computational physics, and nuclear physics. The completion of the master’s program will prepare the student for further work toward the doctorate degree as well as for employment in government and industry.
In addition to the admission requirements of the Graduate School, the applicant must have a bachelor’s degree with the equivalent of an undergraduate major in physics.
The minimum residence requirement for the master’s degree with a major in physics is 3 quarters.
Each candidate for the MS degree must satisfy the conditions in one of the following two plans:
Plan A: The candidate for the master’s degree must complete a minimum of 24 semester hours of graduate credit in physics plus Math 502 and Math 544, or other courses acceptable to his/her thesis committee. Six of the required 30 hours must be earned by taking PHYS 551: Research and Thesis in Physics , and by completing an acceptable master’s thesis.
During the first quarter of residence, the student must take a preliminary oral examination over undergraduate physics. In addition, the student must pass an oral examination on his/her thesis.
Plan B: The candidate must earn 36 hours in this nonthesis plan as approved by his/her Advisory Committee. At least 27 hours must be in 500-level courses in the physics program and 9 hours in mathematics or other courses acceptable to the student’s Advisory Committee. During the first quarter of residence, the student must take a preliminary oral examination over undergraduate physics. In addition, the student must pass an oral examination over his/her graduate work