Program Requirements
General Program Requirements:
Number of Credits Required Beyond the Baccalaureate: 30
Required Courses:
Thesis Track
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses | ||
| PHYS 5101 | Analytical Mechanics | 3 |
| PHYS 5301 | Electromagnetic Theory | 3 |
| PHYS 5501 | Mathematical Physics | 3 |
| PHYS 5701 | Quantum Mechanics I | 3 |
| PHYS 5702 | Quantum Mechanics II | 3 |
| PHYS 8102 | Statistical Mechanics | 3 |
| PHYS 8702 | Solid State Physics | 3 |
| PHYS 8703 | Nuclear and Elementary Particle Physics | 3 |
| Research Courses | ||
| PHYS 9996 | Master's Thesis Research | 3 |
| Select 3 credits of additional coursework from the following: | 3 | |
PHYS 8004 | Problems in Experimental Physics | |
PHYS 8005 | Problems in Theoretical Physics | |
PHYS 9996 | Master's Thesis Research | |
| Total Credit Hours | 30 | |
Coursework Track
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses | ||
| PHYS 5101 | Analytical Mechanics | 3 |
| PHYS 5301 | Electromagnetic Theory | 3 |
| PHYS 5501 | Mathematical Physics | 3 |
| PHYS 5701 | Quantum Mechanics I | 3 |
| PHYS 5702 | Quantum Mechanics II | 3 |
| PHYS 8102 | Statistical Mechanics | 3 |
| PHYS 8702 | Solid State Physics | 3 |
| PHYS 8703 | Nuclear and Elementary Particle Physics | 3 |
| Additional Coursework 1 | 6 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 30 | |
- 1
The balance of coursework is identified in consultation with the graduate advisor and subject to the approval of the Graduate Program Committee. No more than 3 credits may be taken in these independent study courses: PHYS 8004 Problems in Experimental Physics; PHYS 8005 Problems in Theoretical Physics; or PHYS 9998 Pre-Dissertation Research / Elevation to Candidacy.
Culminating Events:
Thesis:
A master’s thesis is required for students in the Thesis Track, but not for students in the Coursework Track. The thesis is based on the student’s research and approved in accordance with the policies of the Department of Physics and the Graduate School.
Comprehensive Examination:
The MS comprehensive examination is required for students in the Coursework Track, but not for students in the Thesis Track. The exam, which tests the student's mastery of undergraduate and beginning graduate physics, consists of a three-part written exam and an oral exam. General subject areas covered by the examination include classical electromagnetic theory, classical mechanics, mathematical physics, modern physics, quantum mechanics, statistical mechanics and thermodynamics.
MS students in the Coursework Track are required to take the comprehensive examination in the summer at the end of their first year of full-time graduate study. They are tested on the subject matter in six core courses: PHYS 5101, PHYS 5301, PHYS 5501, PHYS 5701, PHYS 5702, and PHYS 8102. In the event of failure, the exam may be retaken once. Any student who fails a second time is dropped from the graduate program.