Mar 28, 2024  
2021-2022 Undergraduate and Graduate Catalog 
    
2021-2022 Undergraduate and Graduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Physics, M.S.


Master of Science in Physics

This is a comprehensive physics master’s degree with plans in General Physics or Computational Physics.

Prerequisites


  1. A bachelor’s degree with a major in physics; or
  2. A bachelor’s degree with at least 24 units of upper division physics. Students deficient in undergraduate preparation must take courses to remove these deficiencies without credit toward the degree at the discretion of graduate advisor.

Requirements


In addition student may opt for one of two plans:


General Physics Plan


Take the following course:


Take one of the following two choices after consultation with the graduate advisor:


1. Completion of at least 2 additional units of graduate-level PHYS courses, 6 units of PHYS 698 , a written thesis approved by the student’s thesis committee consisting of a thesis chair (a Physics/Astronomy faculty member) and at least two more members, one of which must be a member of the Department, and an oral presentation of the thesis research. Note: Students must be advanced to candidacy before enrolling in PHYS 698 .

2. With the permission of the Graduate committee, an additional 8 units of 500-level PHYS courses, and satisfactorily complete a comprehensive examination.

Computational Physics Plan


Take 6 units of the following:


A written thesis approved by the student’s thesis committee consisting of a thesis chair (a Physics/Astronomy faculty member) and at least two more members, one of which must be a member of the Department, and an oral presentation of the thesis research.

NOTE: Students must be advanced to candidacy before enrolling in PHYS 698  

Advancement to Candidacy


1.    Students must fulfill the University requirements for advancement to candidacy.
2.    A student must have a “B” average or better in six units of physics applicable toward the master’s degree, of which at least three units are at the graduate level.
3.    Recognizing that effective organization and verbal communication of physics are a necessary part of a successful graduate program, the Department of Physics and Astronomy normally requires that a graduate student serve at least one semester as a teaching associate or a graduate assistant as part of the M.S. program. Exceptions may be granted by the Graduate Advisor.
4.    Approval of the degree program by the graduate advisor, the Department Chair, Associate Dean in the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics or designee.