Department of Physics and Astronomy

DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

Coursework-intensive m.S. in physics

For the coursework intensive M.S. in Physics the student must complete at least 30 hours of graduate credit including at least 24 hours of graduate course credit in physics, with at least 12 of the 24 hours numbered above 6000. Credit in PHYS 5900 (Research Techniques), 6010 (Colloquium), and/or 6020 (Journal Seminar) will not count toward the degree.  No more than 6 hours of graduate research course credit may count towards the 24 hours.  Additional hours to complete the 30 total required hours may be chosen from any courses approved for graduate credit with the approval of the student's advisory committee.

In addition to the required coursework, a student must prepare a project report based either on literature research or independent research or a combination thereof, conducted under the supervision of the student's project advisor or co-advisors. The report should be prepared in accordance with the format specified by the advisory committee.

The advisory committee should consist of at least three members, including the project advisor who must be a full member of the University's Graduate Faculty.  At least two of the committee members must be faculty in the Department of Physics & Astronomy as well as members of the Graduate Faculty.  This option is only available upon consultation with the student’s advisory committee. 

In addition to the project report, the student should present an oral defense of the project results. The defense will involve an illustrated, public lecture by the student on his/her research before the advisory committee, interested faculty and students. This is followed by questioning from the committee, and approval of the project is contingent upon its successful defense during the questioning.

The student must maintain at least a 3.0 grade point average (on a 0-4.0 scale) for both the overall coursework as well as for courses taken within the Department of Physics & Astronomy.  Students selecting the coursework intensive M.S. in Physics will not be eligible for teaching assistantship renewal. 

Last Updated: 6/27/22