The Master of Science in Physics with a research thesis is ordinarily chosen by those students preparing for industrial employment, college teaching, or for further graduate study leading to the PhD degree. The degree program requires a minimum of 30 semester hours, including 2 courses allotted to the thesis.
| Thesis (6 semester hours) | ||
| PHYS 518 | Thesis (6 semester hours required) | 3-6 |
Only 6 semester hours of credit for 518 per degree will be given upon satisfactory completion of the requirement | ||
| Required Core Courses (12 semester hours) | ||
| PHYS 511 | Advanced Classical Mechanics | 3 |
| PHYS 512 | Classical Electromagnetic Theory | 3 |
| PHYS 517 | Mathematical Methods in Physics | 3 |
| PHYS 520 | Quantum Mechanics | 3 |
| Approved Courses (9 semester hours) | ||
| 9 semester hours (3 courses) on approval of graduate advisor | 9 | |
| Graduate Seminar (1-3 semester hours) | ||
| PHYS 501 | Graduate Seminar (1 semester hour, for a total of 3 semester hours.) | 1 |
All physics graduate students must register for 501 each semester in residence | ||
| Total Hours | 30 | |
This emphasis is designed for physics educators who may not have an undergraduate degree in physics but that wish to earn a MS degree in physics to allow them to teach at the community college level or dual enrollment courses. The suggested minimum undergraduate courses include a year of calculus-based physics, modern physics, and mathematics through differential equations.
| Research (3 semester hours) | ||
| PHYS 595 | Research Literature and Techniques (3 semester hours required) | 3 |
| Required Courses (18 semester hours) | ||
| PHYS 526 | The Quantum Universe for Educators | 3 |
| PHYS 530 | Physics Mathematical Methods for Educators | 3 |
| PHYS 531 | Classical Mechanics for Educators | 3 |
| PHYS 532 | Electricity and Magnetism for Educators | 3 |
| PHYS 535 | Thermodynamics for Educators | 3 |
| PHYS 561 | Astronomy & Astrophysics for Educators | 3 |
| Teaching Field courses (15 semester hours) | ||
| Plus (15 semester hours) that support the major teaching field, on approval of the graduate advisor. | 15 | |
| Total Hours | 36 | |
| Research (3 semester hours) | ||
| PHYS 595 | Research Literature and Techniques (3 semester hours required) | 3 |
| Required Courses (9 semester hours) | ||
| PHYS 511 | Advanced Classical Mechanics | 3 |
| PHYS 512 | Classical Electromagnetic Theory | 3 |
| PHYS 517 | Mathematical Methods in Physics | 3 |
| Physics Component (12 semester hours) | ||
Students must complete four of the following courses: | ||
| PHYS 520 | Quantum Mechanics | 3 |
| PHYS 521 | Solid State Physics | 3 |
| PHYS 523 | Advanced Atomic Physics | 3 |
| PHYS 524 | Surface Physics | 3 |
| PHYS 514 | Statistical Physics | 3 |
| PHYS 542 | Advanced Instrumentation and Control | 3 |
| PHYS 552 | Advanced Micro-Controller Electronics | 3 |
| 3 semester hours (1 course) taken in consultation with advisor. | 3 | |
| Electives (9 semester hours) | ||
| (9 semester hours) selected in consultation with the advisor. | 9 | |
| Graduate Seminar (1-3 semester hours) | ||
| PHYS 501 | Graduate Seminar (1 semester hour, for a total of 3 semester hours) | 1 |
All physics graduate students must register for 501 each semester in residence | ||
| Total Hours | 36 | |
Note: Successful completion of the Comprehensive Exam is required of all students.
