Physics Major, MS

Credit Hours Required

30 graduate credit hours beyond the bachelor’s degree

Required Courses

• PHYS 500 - Thesis (6 credit hours)

• 12 credit hours are taken from

• PHYS 513 - Problems in Theoretical Physics I and
• PHYS 514 - Problems in Theoretical Physics II
• PHYS 521 - Quantum Mechanics and
• PHYS 522 - Quantum Mechanics
• PHYS 531 - Classical Mechanics
• PHYS 541 - Electromagnetic Theory
• PHYS 571 - Mathematical Methods in Physics I
• PHYS 573 - Numerical Methods in Physics
• 12 graduate credit hours of physics (PHYS) courses in addition to the specific core courses selected in consultation with the major professor and guidance committee
 

Non-Course Requirements

• All first-year graduate students are required, for advising purposes only, to take a diagnostic examination in undergraduate physics during the fall semester registration period.
• Present an acceptable thesis
• Pass an oral examination on course material and thesis.

Credit Hours Required

30 graduate credit hours beyond the bachelor’s degree

Required Courses

• 6 credit hours:

• PHYS 513 - Problems in Theoretical Physics I
• PHYS 514 - Problems in Theoretical Physics II

• 9 credit hours (at least 6 credit hours above the 500-level) from

• PHYS 411 - Introduction to Quantum Mechanics I and
• PHYS 412 - Introduction to Quantum Mechanics II
• PHYS 421 - Modern Optics
• PHYS 431 - Electricity and Magnetism I and
• PHYS 432 - Electricity and Magnetism II
• PHYS 461 - Modern Physics Laboratory
• PHYS 521 - Quantum Mechanics and
• PHYS 522 - Quantum Mechanics
• PHYS 531 - Classical Mechanics
• PHYS 541 - Electromagnetic Theory
• PHYS 555 - Solid State Physics
• PHYS 571 - Mathematical Methods in Physics I
• PHYS 573 - Numerical Methods in Physics
• 6 credit hours which may come from physics or from a single minor field outside of the Physics Department, such as computer science (COSC), mathematics (MATH), engineering, chemistry (CHEM), biology (BCMB. EEB, MICRO, CBE), education, business, or law (LAW), selected in consultation with the major professor and guidance committee.

• For a Project in Lieu of Thesis (6 credit hours)

• PHYS 593 - Independent Study
• PHYS 594 - Special Problems

Non-Course Requirements

• All first-year graduate students are required, for advising purposes only, to take a diagnostic examination in undergraduate physics during the fall semester registration period.
• The candidate must pass an oral examination on course material and on the project representing the culmination of an original research project completed by the student.
• A written report must be approved and accepted by his/her committee and the department head.
• An electronic version of the written report must be submitted to the permanent electronic archive of the Physics Department.

Credit Hours Required

30 graduate credit hours beyond the bachelor’s degree

Required Courses

• PHYS 513 - Problems in Theoretical Physics I
• PHYS 514 - Problems in Theoretical Physics II
• PHYS 521 - Quantum Mechanics
• PHYS 522 - Quantum Mechanics
• PHYS 531 - Classical Mechanics
• PHYS 541 - Electromagnetic Theory
• PHYS 571 - Mathematical Methods in Physics I
• PHYS 573 - Numerical Methods in Physics
• 6 additional credit hours from physics or a minor field selected in consultation with the major professor and guidance committee; and
• 6 credit hours from other courses numbered above 400 (preferably of advanced laboratory nature.) selected in consultation with the major professor and guidance committee
• At least 20 credit hours must be taken at the 500-level or above selected in consultation with the major professor and guidance committee.

Non-Course Requirements

• All first-year graduate students are required, for advising purposes only, to take a diagnostic examination in undergraduate physics during the fall semester registration period.
• Pass a written examination administered by his/her committee