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Accelerated Master's Platform in Physics

Accelerated Master's Platform in Physics

The Accelerated Master’s Platform (AMP) in Physics allows current OSU physics majors to take graduate classes in physics, apply those credits to their current undergraduate degree, and also transfer them to the M.S. graduate program at OSU. Up to twelve graduate credits will count towards a bachelor's degree and transfer to the physics master's program. With careful planning, students can complete a master’s degree within one year of finishing their bachelor's degree.

Applications and advising

All successful applicants will have completed at least the junior core courses in physics and have an AMP advisor who is also their research mentor; see below for GPA and other requirements. Any physics graduate faculty member can serve as an AMP advisor.

The Head Undergraduate Advisor in in Physics serves as the AMP Coordinator.

Admission requirements

  • An OSU GPA of at least 3.25.
  • Completion of 105 credits.
  • Junior status (at least) in an undergraduate degree program in physics. (Post-baccalaureate students are ineligible.)
  • Completion of PH 315, PH 335, PH 422, PH 424, PH 425 and PH 426
  • A GPA of at least 3.5 in all upper-division physics courses.
  • Three letters of reference, including one from a graduate faculty member in physics who agrees to be the AMP advisor.
  • Other documents and requirements required by the Graduate School: A completed online application on the Graduate School website, a statement of objectives, and a tentative plan of study.

Admission process

  • ALL materials must be submitted one month before the start of any term.
  • Complete the online application via the Graduate School website. (When you select the Start A New Application on the drop-down menu, choose the last item: "Have a code?" and enter the code. You will need to see head undergraduate physics advisor to get the application code.)
  • Admission is selective; not all of the applicants who meet the minimum requirements will be accepted.
  • A decision can be expected one week before the start of the term.

Typical timeline

Other timelines are possible, see head undergraduate physics advisor for more details

Junior year (typically the year you apply to AMP)

Complete required courses, find an advisor and apply.

  • Complete all admission requirements by the end of spring term of junior year
  • Obtain a commitment from a member of the physics graduate faculty to serve as your AMP mentor
  • Apply to AMP before senior year.

Senior year (typically the first year in AMP)

Earn graduate credits (22 credits can be transferred to your MS program), start research, and complete your B.S. degree.

  • By the end of the first week of fall, develop a course plan with your AMP advisor and obtain approval from the Undergraduate Head Advisor and Graduate Head Advisor. Most course plans will include involvement in meaningful research starting in fall term.
  • Complete up to 22 credits of non-blanket graduate-level physics courses (taken for a letter grade) that can be applied toward both the undergraduate and graduate degree programs.
    A highly recommended choice is to choose from this list:
    • PH 531, PH 541, PH 551, PH 555, PH 575, PH 581, PH 585, PH 591, PH 595.
  • Participants must earn a grade of at least B in each course of the 22 credits applied to both the baccalaureate and graduate degree programs.

Year 1 of graduate program

  • Transfer up to 22 credits towards your M.S. degree, take graduate courses as required and do research.

Frequently asked questions

The process is similar to obtaining a senior thesis advisor. It is up to you to seek out a faculty member who is wiling to supervise the research that is required for the M.S. degree. It is possible to continue with the same advisor as you have for the senior thesis.

The M.S. degree requires a research experience that can be either a thesis or a non-thesis project. In either case, expanding on an undergraduate thesis is one possible option.

The simplest example is to look at the sample programs for the B.S. degree and the M.S. degree. Overlap between the programs dictates which courses can be used in the AMP program to satisfy B.S. and M.S. requirements. A student's program is designed by the student and the AMP advisor, with final approval by the Undergraduate Head Advisor and the Graduate Head Advisor, who also serves as AMP Coordinator.

A highly recommended choice is to choose from this list:

  • PH 531, PH 541, PH 551, PH 555, PH 575, PH 581, PH 585, PH 591, PH 595.

The participant must earn a grade of at least B in each course of the 12 credits applied to both the baccalaureate and graduate degree programs. Note that you must take the 500 level version of these courses for them to count toward both degrees.

The AMP program is for high-achieving students who are interested in research, and want to have a graduate degree.

Potential AMP participants (close to satisfying the minimum coursework and GPA requirements for AMP) can discuss their questions with the Undergraduate Head Advisor or the Graduate Head Advisor.

Yes, the BROKEN - OSU Graduate School requires that no more than 50% of courses used for a graduate program of study may be the 500-level component of a dual-listed course (4XX/5XX). The M.S. degree requires at least 45 credits and the 12 credits in the AMP program are typically the 500-level component of a dual-listed course (4XX/5XX), in which case only 10 more credits of dual-listed courses would be allowed.

Yes, the Accelerated Master's Platform allows current OSU undergraduate students to take graduate classes and apply those credits to their current undergraduate degree and transfer them to a participating graduate program. Up to 22 graduate credits will count towards a bachelor's degree and transfer to a graduate program.

Undergraduate tuition.

See the graduate school FAQs.

While still an undergraduate student, you are not eligible for a GTA or a GRA. While a graduate student, you are eligible for a GTA/GRA, but AMP students should not expect to receive a GTA/GRA, which are prioritized for Ph.D. students.

No, admission to the AMP program is distinct from admission to the Ph.D. program. If you are interested in the Ph.D. program, you should apply for that program.