2025-2026 Graduate Catalog

Master of Science in Physics

An MS in physics is especially suited for those looking to go on to doctoral study or pursue careers in industry.

This program requires a six-credit thesis, which is normally a formal report on your research in some feature of experimental, theoretical, or computational physics, or physics education.

33 credits

Core Requirements (15 hours)

All students in the MS program are required to take the four core courses (PHYC 671, PHYC 673, PHYC 675, and PHYC 676) and three semesters of graduate seminar (PHYC 683 for 3 credits).

PHYC 671Classical Mechanics

3

PHYC 673Electrodynamics

3

PHYC 675Statistical Mechanics

3

PHYC 676Quantum Mechanics

3

PHYC 683Seminar in Physics

1 TO 4

3 credits in PHYC 683 are required.

In addition to the 15 core credits and 6 thesis credits, students must complete 12 additional credits from the list below. Additional courses may be approved by the department chair on a case-by-case basis.

In addition to the 15 core credits and 6 thesis credits, students must complete 12 additional graduate credits approved by the Department. The approved courses are listed below (PHYC 534, PHYC 552, PHYC 561, PHYC 563, PHYC 566, ASTR 586, PHYC 685). Additional courses may be approved by the department chair on a case-by-case basis.

PHYC 534Thermal Physics

3

PHYC 552Electricity and Magnetism 2

3

PHYC 561Elementary Particles

3

PHYC 563Nuclear Physics

3

PHYC 566Condensed Matter Physics

3

PHYC 685Special Studies in Physics

1 TO 8

ASTR 586Advanced Observational Astronomy

3

Research requirement (thesis hours, 6 credits)

The MS degree requires a 6-credit thesis, which is normally a formal report on the student’s research in some feature of experimental, theoretical or computational physics, or physics education.

THES 698Thesis

1 TO 6

6 total credits of THES 698 are required.

Total Credit Hours: 33