Graduate
Master's Curriculum
Master of Science in Physics
Program Requirements
Physics Graduate Programs & Requirements from the 2025/2026 Graduate Catalog
Core courses: (all 3 required)
- Mathematical Methods I PHZ 5115
- Electricity and Magnetism I PHY 6346
- Quantum Mechanics I PHY 6645
Thesis option
Four graduate-level elective classes (twelve credit hours), at least two of which
must be within physics, plus nine credit hours of Master’s-Thesis (Directed Research
can be substituted for thesis hours, up to 50%). PHY 6911, PHY 6935, and PHY 6971
will not count toward the electives. In addition, the candidate must present and successfully
defend a written thesis.
- Committee Guidelines for Thesis Defense
-
Thesis-based M.S. students must form a committee that consists of three Physics faculty members.
- The student’s major professor will serve as one of the three members.
- Documentation naming the committee must be submitted to CAS prior to the thesis defense.
-
Non-thesis option (Written Exam)
Seven graduate-level elective classes (twenty-one credit hours), at least two of which
must be in physics. PHY 6911, PHY 6935, and PHY 6971 will not count toward the electives.
Students may only take 1 cross-listed course over the duration of the program. Students
are required to write a paper and present to a faculty in the Physics department.
It could be their research mentor or other faculty who agrees to serve as a reviewer.
If the student has difficulty identifying the reviewer, please contact the Graduate
Program director in the Physics department.