MS Degree for MS track (thesis or project) 10/13/2009
PROGRAM FOR THE M.S. DEGREE IN THE DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICS
Each student who wishes to pursue the M.S. degree in physics will be advised by a faculty member in the Physics Department. The faculty advisor will assist in planning a program appropriate for the studentâs needs and interests. For the M.S. degree, the Graduate School requires 45 credits, with a 3.00 grade point average (minimum) and with approximately 2/3 of the credit in the major (Physics) and the remaining 1/3 in a minor. Each student must choose a minor, which can be in Physics or another department.
Program Requirements
List A: Physics core courses. The appropriate courses must be chosen in consultation with the student's advisor. At most 9 credits in each subject area can be applied toward the M.S. degree requirements.
Dynamics PH 535: Capstone: Classical Mechanics, 3 credits.
PH 621: Dynamics, 3 credits.
Statistical Thermophysics PH 541: Capstone: Thermal and Statistical Physics, 3 credits.
PH 641, 642: Statistical Thermophysics, 3 credits each.
Electromagnetic Theory PH 531: Capstone: Electromagnetism, 3 credits.
PH 631, 632, 633: Electromagnetic Theory, 3 credits each.
Quantum Mechanics PH 551: Capstone: Quantum Mechanics, 3 credits.
PH 651, 652, 653: Quantum Mechanics, 3 credits each.
List B: Physics courses
PH 511, 512 Electronics Laboratory 3 credits each
PH 515 Computer Interfacing 3 credits
PH 561 Capstone: Mathematical Methods 3 credits
PH 564, 565, 566 Computational Physics, 3 credits each
PH 575 Introduction Solid State Physics, 3 credits
PH 585 Atomic, Molecular, Optics 3 credits
PH 595 Introduction Particle, Nuclear Physics, 3 credits
PH 654, 655, 656 Advanced Quantum Theory, 3 credits each
PH 671, 672, 673, 674 Solid State Physics, 2 credits each
PH 681, 682, 683, 684 Atomic, Molecular, and Optical Physics, 2 credits each
List C:
Specialty courses with emphases in other subfields (optics, materials science, computational physics, physical chemistry, physics education, geosciences, radiation and health physics). Courses from this list must be chosen with advisor approval; they should provide the student with a coherent degree. This list is not complete, other courses or other subfields (with approval) can be used for this part of the requirement. Note that some of these subfields can alternatively be studied within a minor program outside of physics (see notes below concerning the minor).
Optical Physics:
PH 581, 582, 583
CH 567, ECE 592, ATS 512
Materials Science
PH 575
ME 581, 582
CH 511, 512, 513, 540, 541, 542, 545, 548, 549
Computational Physics:
PH 565, 566
CS 515, 523, 561, 562, 575, 577, 579, 582
ECE 572, 576
MTH 587, 588, 589
Physical Chemistry:
CH 511, 512, 513, 540, 541, 542, 545, 548, 549, 580, 581, 582
Physics Education:
SED 581, 592, 593, 594, 596
SED 503, 580, 588, 595, 597, 598
Geophysics:
GEO 516, 554, 556, 563, 564, 653, 656 (structural geology)
GEO 554, 563, 564, OC 661 (geophysics)
Radiation and Health Physics:
RHP 535, 586, 587, 588
CH 518, 574, 577
Additional courses may be selected from
PH 501 Research
PH 505 Reading and Conference
PH 507 Seminars
Subject to Graduate School restrictions (maximum 6 credits of blanket courses).
Notes concerning the M.S. Thesis
The experimental, theoretical, or computational M.S. thesis is designed to be of limited scope, but of a useful character. Past theses have occasionally been accepted for publication. There are several steps which are designed to aid the student and the thesis advisor toward reaching their common goal.
Notes concerning the M.S. Project
The experimental, theoretical, or computational M.S. project is designed to give the student experience using the physics tools learned in the classroom. The project is necessarily of a limited scope, such that it can be completed by the end of the second year of graduate study.
The general procedure describing the M.S. thesis given above applies here as well. It is the responsibility of the student to choose a project advisor. This should be done within the first year of graduate study. The full committee (advisor plus two other members) must approve the planned project. A clear timetable must be established, showing that the project can be completed by the end of the second year of graduate study. Projects building upon work done in a class, a term paper, or a senior thesis are acceptable. A report on the project must be submitted to the committee for its approval. The report need not be submitted to the university (as is the case for the M.S. thesis). A report with approximately 3000-5000 words is considered to be sufficient.
Notes concerning the M.S. Minor
Each M.S. student will select a minor field of study in addition to the major field of study (physics). The minor may be within the physics department or outside of the department. Possible minors within the physics department are: physics, atomic physics, computational physics, nuclear physics, optical physics, particle physics, relativity, and solid state physics. Examples of minors outside of the department are: materials science, physical chemistry, science education, radiation health, environmental science, mathematics, electrical engineering, computer science, and geophysics. The Graduate catalog contains a complete list of approved minors. A minor outside the physics department requires that the student have a professor from the minor department on the examining committee.
Other notes