MS Degree Requirements

Candidates must complete a minimum of 30 credit hours of advanced lecture courses (numbered 500 or above) in physics and related subjects within seven years. Credit is not given to students who take courses at a lower level after having completed the similar upper level courses with a grade of B- or higher. Program requirements include:

  1. Within 12 months of entering the program the student must fulfill the requirements of the individualized plan of study for all graduate degrees to certify an undergraduate knowledge of Physics. Visit the Department's website for more information on those requirements and the process of certification.
  2. Four basic courses.
    • PHSX 711 Quantum Mechanics I (3)
    • PHSX 718 Mathematical Methods in Physical Sciences (3)
    • PHSX 821 Classical Mechanics (3)
    • PHSX 831 Electrodynamics I (3)
  3. Two additional courses chosen from.
    • PHSX 721 Chaotic Dynamics (3)
    • PHSX 731 Molecular Biophysics (3)
    • PHSX 741 Nuclear Physics I (3)
    • PHSX 761 Elementary Particles I (3)
    • PHSX 781 Solid State Physics I (3)
    • PHSX 792 Topics in Advanced Astrophysics (3)
    • PHSX 793 Physical Cosmology (3)
    • PHSX 795 Space Plasma Physics (3)
    • PHSX 815 Computational Physics and Astronomy (3)
  4. A minimum of two hours in PHSX 899, Masters Research/Thesis, is required, with a maximum of six hours that count toward the master's degree. No more than three hours will be allowed unless a thesis on original research or a written report is presented. Students must consult with the research advisor before enrolling in more than three credit hours..
  5. All graduate students, after their first semester, will deliver at least one oral presentation per semester. 
  6. The remaining six to ten hours of advanced electives must be either advanced lecture courses or advanced undergraduate laboratory courses. (This proviso excludes seminars and special problems courses.)
  7. 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. 

Please see the University's policies regarding requirements for the Master's degree and Master's Student Oral Exam Committee Composition. For information on time limits, please review the Master's Time Limit Policy.