Physics - Master of Science
The Master's degree requires that students either pass the qualifying examination at the Master's level or identify a research advisor during the first semester of study, form a Graduate Committee, and write a thesis. For the master’s degree, students must also successfully complete or transfer at least 30 course credits and pass a final oral examination or the doctoral comprehensive examination. Of these 30 credits, at least 21 must be in physics/geophysics, at most 3 may be for individual study or other informal courses, at most 6 may be for a thesis, and at most 9 may be numbered between 450 and 499. Students must successfully complete
| Prefix | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PHYS 576 | Advanced Computational Physics I | 3 |
| or PHYS 476 | Computational Physics | |
| Select 3 credits from the following: | 3 | |
| Advanced Experimental Optics | 3 | |
| Advanced Physics Laboratory | 3 | |
| Advanced Experimental Nuclear Physics | 3 | |
A Master’s thesis is optional for students who have passed the qualifying examination. PHYS 599 Master's Thesis credits will not count toward the 21 credits in physics/geophysics and can only be counted toward the 30 credits for a Master's degree if a student selects the thesis option and successfully defends a Master's thesis. PHYS 700 Doctoral Dissertation credits can be used as a substitute for PHYS 599 Master's Thesis credits.