The M.S. degree in Physics or Applied Physics requires completing 30 graduate credit-hours; applicants must specify their intention to pursue either a thesis or non-thesis option. All full-time students are required to register for the zero-credit graduate seminar (PH 580) each term. The thesis option requires a minimum of 15 credit-hours of coursework as described below, a minimum of 6 hours of thesis research (PH 599) and the completion, public seminar presentation, and defense of an M.S. thesis. The thesis option will require that a thesis committee be formed one year prior to the student’s expected graduation date. This committee will be formed by the student and his/her research advisor and will consist of three faculty members (including the advisor, who will be responsible for providing mentoring to the student and for overseeing the progress of the student towards a successful completion of their degree). The research advisor may not be the chair of this committee.
Alternatively, students may pursue a non-thesis option which requires the student to complete a minimum of 24 credit-hours of graduate coursework from the courses listed below, and a minimum of 6 hours of directed research (PH 598). Specific course requirements for the M.S. in Physics or Applied Physics are as follows:
- M.S. in Physics: 15 credits are required in core courses (PH 511, PH 514, PH 515, PH 522, and PH 533). The remaining 15 credits are electives, thesis research, or directed research; courses taken outside of the department must be approved by the PDGC.
- The M.S. in Applied Physics:
- Biophysics/Soft Condensed Matter Concentration: Required Core Courses: PH 511, PH 522; PH 562. Students are also required to complete additional coursework (minimum of 6 credit hours for thesis option and a minimum of 15 credit hours for non-thesis option) in elective courses: PH 563, PH 533, PH 514, PH 541, PH 554, PH 561, PH 571, BME 555, BME 564, BME 583, CHE 541 or other courses approved by PDGC.
- Medical Physics Concentration: Two of the core physics courses (PH 511, PH 514, PH 515, PH 522, and PH 533), NSE 515, NSE 530, NSE 560, NSE 570, NSE 580, NSE 585, an undergraduate or graduate Anatomy and Physiology course.
- Nanoscience and Technology Concentration: Required Core Course: PH 514, and PH 511 or PH 533. Students are also required to complete additional coursework (minimum of 9 credit hours for thesis option and a minimum of 18 credit hours for non-thesis option) in elective courses: PH 511 or PH 533, PH 515, PH 522, PH 541, PH 554, PH 561, MTE 575, MTE 509, MTE 532, CH 516, CH 554, or other courses approved by the PDGC.
- Photonics Concentration: Required Core Courses: PH 514, PH 533, PH 544. Students are also required to complete additional coursework (minimum of 6 credit hours for thesis option and a minimum of 15 credit hours for non-thesis option) in elective courses: PH 511, PH 515, PH 541, PH 548, PH 554, PH 561, PH 571, ME 5225, ME 5301, BME 583 or other courses approved by PDGC.
- Radiological Sciences Concentration: Required Courses: Two of the core physics courses (PH 511, PH 514, PH 515, PH 522, and PH 533), NSE 515, NSE 530, NSE 560. Students who are pursuing non-thesis option are required to complete a minimum of 9 credit-hours of PH or NSE graduate courses or other courses approved by the PDGC.
Changing of M.S. Option:
Students may petition the PDGC to switch from a non-thesis to a thesis option. Such petition must include justification, and a letter of support from a potential M.S. thesis advisor. Students may also petition PDGC for switching from a thesis to a non-thesis option, switching between Physics and Applied Physics programs, and changes in Applied Physics concentration. Petitions will be reviewed in consultation with student’s advisor, when appropriate.