Physics, M.S.

I. Admission Requirements

A minimum of 30 credits in Physics at the undergraduate level, with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 in the Physics courses, is required for unconditional admission to the graduate program. A conditional admission may involve correcting physics topic deficiencies by taking undergraduate courses which are prerequisites to graduate courses. Undergraduate physics course deficiencies need to be removed within one semester of admission into the program.

II. Program Requirements

III. Exit Requirements

1. Students must maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher to remain in the program.
2. Thesis or Project: Students must complete either a thesis or a project.  For the thesis option students are expected to perform research under supervision of the Physics faculty and bring their work to a successful conclusion as a thesis. The research for the thesis must be chosen at the time of applying for admission to candidacy. Upon completion of the written thesis, the student will defend the work orally before the departmental graduate committee.  For the Project Option students may elect to complete a project in lieu of a thesis, in which case three elective hours must then be substituted for PHYS 5900.  The student however must select this option at the time of applying for admission to candidacy. Upon completion of the research project, the student must make a written and oral presentation of the work to the departmental graduate committee.
3. Students planning to continue their studies for a PhD degree are strongly advised to complete additional credit hours.  
4. Minor: Minor credits, up to 9 credit hours, may be chosen from the “elective” graduate or 5000 level courses in Physics or from appropriate graduate courses in Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics and Computer Science that have been approved by the Physics Department (e.g. Biotechnology, Advanced Physical Chemistry CHEG 5710, and CHEG 5720). 
5. Master’s Comprehensive Examination Students must successfully complete a written Comprehensive Examination to include three areas of physics, including Electricity and Magnetism, Analytical Mechanics, and Quantum Mechanics.

Graduate Curriculum Guide for MS in Physics