M.S. degree on way to Ph.D
Students in the Ph.D. program who have passed the qualifying exam, taken all of the required core courses and also published at least one first-author paper can petition (along with a recommendation by their Ph.D. advisor) to receive an M.S. degree "en-route" to Ph.D.
The M.S. in Physics will be granted once the full faculty have reviewed and approved their application.