Note: We have new M.S. in Physics requirements, effective for students entering
in Summer 2003 or later. Click here to view these
requirements. To receive a hard copy, please see Tess Gratton in the Physics
& Astronomy Office in 1082 Malott for the latest Graduate Handbook.
A baccalaureate degree with a major in physics is desirable but not required.
Recommended preparation
consists of courses in mechanics, electromagnetic theory, modern physics and
introductory quantum mechanics, advanced laboratory, and at least one course
in mathematics beyond differential equations. A student with less than the recommended
preparation may enroll in these courses for graduate credit.
Undergraduate physics certification requirement for MS degrees with Physics emphasis (Approved by faculty on November 29, 2006):
Certification of knowledge of undergraduate physics must normally be completed within 12 months (extension possible with recommendation of the graduate admission committee) of entering the MS program in addition to the required course work. The certification can be achieved in several ways: (1) A scaled GRE ¬ Physics score greater than or equal to 600; or (2) THE DETERMINATION BY THE GRADUATE DIRECTOR AND GRADUATE ADVISOR, BASED ON the diagnostic exam given on entering the program combined with the student's undergraduate record, that the student understands all major elements of undergraduate physics“; or (3) successful completion with grade of “B” or better on all undergraduate courses that the graduate director and/or advisor recommends based on the results of (2). The student who has not succeeded in certifying their undergraduate physics knowledge in one of the above three ways could, within 12 months of starting the program, petition the Graduate Committee for an oral exam on undergraduate physics. The oral exam will be administered by a committee of six faculty members assigned by the department.
Candidates must complete a minimum of 30 credit hours of advanced lecture courses
(numbered 500 or above) in physics and related subjects. These courses must
include the following:
(a) Three basic courses.
PHSX 711 Quantum Mechanics I
PHSX 821 Classical Mechanics
PHSX 831 Electrodynamics I
(b) Two additional courses chosen from.
PHSX 815 Computational Physics and Astronomy
PHSX 721 Chaotic Dynamics
PHSX 741 Nuclear Physics I
PHSX 761 Elementary Particles I
PHSX 781 Solid State Physics I
PHSX 793 Physical Cosmology
PHSX 795 Space Plasma Physics
(c) At least two hours of PHSX 899 Master's Research.
(d) A candidate for a Master's degree who has not had an advanced undergraduate
laboratory course (Junior/Senior level) is required to take one of the four
advanced laboratory courses offered in the Department.
PHSX 516 Physical Measurements I
PHSX 536 Electronic Circuits and Measurements
PHSX 616 Physical Measurements II
PHSX 636 Electronics Design
The following limitations apply to courses presented to satisfy the Master's
degree requirements.
(e) A maximum of 6 hours of PHSX 899 may be counted toward the degree. Ordinarily
no more than 2 hours will be allowed unless a thesis or written report is presented.
(f) The remaining 9 to 13 hours of advanced electives must be either advanced
lecture courses or advanced undergraduate laboratory courses. (This proviso
excludes seminars and special problems courses.) Candidates must pass a general
oral examination in physics. The examination is given shortly before completion
of other work for the degree. A master's thesis is not required, but may be
submitted if the candidate and the director of the candidate's research believe
it to be appropriate.
