Physics, MS

Thesis option

The graduate credit requirements for the Master of Science degree are 36 semester hours chosen in the following manner:

PHYS 5500 - Quantum Mechanics I
PHYS 5510 - Quantum Mechanics II
PHYS 5710 - Advanced Classical Mechanics I
PHYS 5720 - Electromagnetic Theory I
PHYS 5950 - Master’s Thesis (6 hours) The thesis must be submitted in the manuscript form prescribed by the American Institute of Physics. An oral presentation of the master’s thesis is required. The thesis is accepted by the student’s advisory committee after an oral examination is successfully completed and the thesis is filed in the graduate dean’s office.
12 semester hours chosen from organized courses in physics. Organized courses from related fields may be substituted with permission of the academic advisor and major professor.
6 semester hours of PHYS 5900 or PHYS 5910

Research problems option

The graduate credit requirement for the Master of Science degree is 36 semester hours chosen in the following manner:

PHYS 5500 - Quantum Mechanics I
PHYS 5510 - Quantum Mechanics II
PHYS 5710 - Advanced Classical Mechanics I
PHYS 5720 - Electromagnetic Theory I
PHYS 5920 - Research Problems in Lieu of Thesis
PHYS 5930 - Research Problems in Lieu of Thesis
15 semester hours chosen from organized courses in physics. Organized courses from related fields may be substituted with permission from the academic advisor and major professor.
3 semester hours of PHYS 5900 or PHYS 5910

Note

Research problems in lieu of thesis are independent though not necessarily original studies that may be experimental, computational, tutorial, bibliographic, pedagogic or a combination of these. As part of the requirements for each problems course, the student must present a formal written report of the work done in the course, which must be approved by the advisory committee. Reports for PHYS 5920 and PHYS 5930 must be submitted in the manuscript form prescribed by the American Institute of Physics (see AIP Style Manual, current edition). Problems in lieu of thesis (PHYS 5920 and PHYS 5930 ) must be accepted by the student’s advisory committee; oral presentation is optional.

Course work option

The graduate credit requirement for the Master of Science degree is 36 semester hours chosen in the following manner:

PHYS 5500 - Quantum Mechanics I
PHYS 5510 - Quantum Mechanics II
PHYS 5710 - Advanced Classical Mechanics I
PHYS 5720 - Electromagnetic Theory I
PHYS 6030 - Electromagnetic Theory II
PHYS 6110 - Statistical Mechanics I
6 semester hours of PHYS 5900 or PHYS 5910 . To satisfy a requirement to show evidence of independent study, a student must submit a written report upon completion of PHYS 5900 or PHYS 5910 to the major professor.
12 semester hours chosen from organized courses in physics. Organized courses from related fields may be substituted with permission from the academic advisor and major professor.

Other requirements

The candidate for the master’s degree under the course work option who has not otherwise demonstrated competency is nominally required to pass an oral comprehensive final examination.
- A candidate for the master’s degree under the course work option may demonstrate competency by earning at least a grade of B in PHYS 5500 , PHYS 5510 , PHYS 5710 , PHYS 5720 , PHYS 6030 and PHYS 6110 .
The oral comprehensive final examination usually takes less than 1 and 1/2 hours to complete. The departmental examination committee administers the exam.
The candidate for the master’s degree under the course work option is expected to demonstrate physics problem solving skills and a mastery of conceptual understanding of the topics covered. The scope of the examination is on the topics of classical mechanics, quantum mechanics, electrodynamics and statistical mechanics. The questions can range from undergraduate to graduate level.

Additional requirements

Seminar in current literature or colloquium

All physics MS students must attend the Department of Physics colloquium each week during each long term/semester of full-time graduate study. As a part of this requirement, all full-time MS students must enroll in PHYS 5941 for three semesters (one credit hour per term). These credit hours may count toward the organized course requirements for the degree.

Examinations

An entrance interview concerning fundamental physics is required of all students. The results are used for advisory, placement and remedial purposes.

An oral presentation of the master’s thesis (PHYS 5950 ) is required. The thesis is accepted by the student’s advisory committee after an oral examination is successfully completed and the thesis is filed in the graduate dean’s office. Problems in lieu of thesis (PHYS 5920 and PHYS 5930 ) must be accepted by the student’s advisory committee; oral presentation is optional.