The MS in physics focuses on providing advanced knowledge in core areas of physics. This includes electrodynamics, quantum, classical mechanics, and statistical physics, as well as one or more sub-areas of physics that correspond to your individual interests and career aspirations. You will collaborate with the program director to develop a tailored academic plan that includes course work that supports your goals. The program also includes professional skills in organization and leadership, managing research teams, promoting innovation or sustainable technologies, entrepreneurship and intellectual property, finance and accounting, data science, scientific visualization, electronics, STEM pedagogy and education research, public policy, and communication skills.

RIT’s physics master’s degree offers both a research and professional option, and provides advanced knowledge in core areas of physics, including electrodynamics, quantum, classical mechanics, and statistical physics, as well as one or more sub-areas of physics that correspond to your individual interests and career aspirations. You’ll work with faculty to develop a tailored individual academic plan that supports your individual career aspirations.

The MS program in physics is designed to provide flexible options that can be tailored to your specific career goals and disciplinary interests in fundamental and/or applied areas of physics. The program is suitable as either a means to further career development or as preparation for further graduate study. 

• Advance your knowledge in core areas of physics, including electrodynamics, quantum, classical mechanics, and statistical physics. 
• Build your expertise in a sub-area of physics: modern and quantum optics; lasers; computational physics, solid-state, materials, and device physics; soft matter and biological physics; radiation, scattering, and spectroscopy; relativity and gravitation; and nanoscale physics.
• Develop professional skills in leadership, managing research teams, promoting innovation or sustainable technologies, entrepreneurship and intellectual property, and more.

You’ll select sub-areas of physics that align with your individual interests and career aspirations. Sub-areas may include:

• Modern and quantum optics
• Lasers
• Computational physics
• Solid-state, materials, and device physics
• Soft matter and biological physics
• Radiation, scattering, and spectroscopy
• Relativity and gravitation
• Nanoscale physics

Physics (research option), MS degree, typical course sequence
Course    Sem. Cr. Hrs.
First Year
PHYS-601    Graduate Physics Seminar I    1
PHYS-602    Graduate Physics Seminar II    1
Choose two of the following:    
6
   PHYS-610       Mathematical Methods for Physics     
   PHYS-611       Classical Electrodynamics I     
   PHYS-614       Quantum Theory     
Choose one of the following:    
3
   PHYS-630       Classical Mechanics     
   PHYS-640       Statistical Physics     
Choose one of the following:    
3
   PHYS-790       Graduate Research & Thesis     
     
   Physics (or closely related) Elective
 
     
Physics (or closely related) Electives
6
Second Year
Choose one of the following:    
3
   PHYS-610       Mathematical Methods for Physics     
   PHYS-611       Classical Electrodynamics I     
   PHYS-614       Quantum Theory     
PHYS-790    Graduate Research & Thesis    7
Total Semester Credit Hours    
30
Physics (professional option), MS degree, typical course sequence
Course    Sem. Cr. Hrs.
First Year
PHYS-601    Graduate Physics Seminar I    1
PHYS-602    Graduate Physics Seminar II    1
Choose two of the following:    
6
   PHYS-610       Mathematical Methods for Physics     
   PHYS-611       Classical Electrodynamics I     
   PHYS-614       Quantum Theory     
Choose one of the following:    
3
   PHYS-630       Classical Mechanics     
   PHYS-640       Statistical Physics     
     
Physics (or closely related) Elective
3
     
Professional Electives
6
Second Year
PHYS-780    Graduate Physics Project    4
     
Professional Elective
3
     
Physics (or closely related) Elective
3
Total Semester Credit Hours    
30
Electives
These lists are representative of the types of elective courses available to students in the physics program. Other RIT courses may be used as electives upon approval by the program director.

Physics (or closely related) electives
Course
ASTP-660    Introduction to Relativity and Gravitation
ASTP-861    Advanced Relativity and Gravitation
CLRS-601    
Principles of Color Science
CLRS-602    Color Physics and Applications
EEEE-605    Modern Optics for Engineers
EEEE-689    Fundamentals of MEMS
IMGS-616    Fourier Methods for Imaging
IMGS-619    Radiometry
IMGS-628    Design and Fabrication of Solid State Cameras
IMGS-633    Optics for Imaging
IMGS-639    Principles of Solid State Imaging Arrays
IMGS-642    Testing of Focal Plane Arrays
MATH-602    Numerical Analysis I
MATH-702    Numerical Analysis II
MATH-712    Numerical Methods for Partial Differential Equations
MATH-831    Mathematical Fluid Dynamics
MCEE-620    Photovoltaic Science and Engineering
MCEE-713    Quantum and Solid-State Physics for Nanostructures
MCSE-702    Introduction to Nanotechnology and Microsystems
MCSE-712    Nonlinear Optics
MCSE-713    Lasers
MCSE-731    Integrated Optical Devices & Systems
MCSE-771    Optoelectronics
MCSE-889    Special Topics
MTSE-601    Materials Science
MTSE-632    Solid State Science
PHYS-612    Classical Electrodynamics II
PHYS-616    Data Analysis for the Physical Sciences
PHYS-667    Quantum Optics
PHYS-670    Teaching and Learning Physics
PHYS-689    Graduate Special Topics
PHYS-715    Advanced Quantum Theory
PHYS-720    Computational Methods for Physics
PHYS-732    Advanced Solid State Physics
PHYS-751    Soft Matter Physics
PHYS-752    Biological Physics
PHYS-760    Radiation Interactions & Scattering Probes of Matter
PHYS-767    Optical Coherence and Light-Matter Interactions
PHYS-770    Advanced Methods in Physics Education Research
PHYS-799    Independent Study
Professional electives
Course
ACCT-603    Accounting for Decision Makers
ACCT-794    Cost Management in Technical Organizations
BLEG-612    Legal and Accounting Issues for New Ventures
CSCI-603    Computational Problem Solving
CSCI-605    Advanced Object-Oriented Programming Concepts
CSCI-610    Foundations of Computer Graphics
CSCI-620    Introduction to Big Data
CSCI-714    Scientific Visualization
CSCI-720    Big Data Analytics
DECS-744    Project Management
EEEE-610    Analog Electronics Design
EEEE-620    Design of Digital Systems
ESCB-705    Economics and Decision Modeling
FINC-605    Financing New Ventures
FINC-721    Financial Analysis for Managers
ISUS-704    Industrial Ecology
ISUS-705    Technology, Policy, and Sustainability
ITDS-611    STEM Education: Concepts and Practice
ITDS-613    STEM Education: Research Methods and Theory
MGIS-650    Introduction to Data Analytics and Business Intelligence
MGMT-735    Management of Innovation in Products and Services
MGMT-740    Leading Teams in Organizations
MGMT-741    Managing Organizational Change
MGMT-755    Negotiations
PSYC-716    Graduate Social Psychology
PUBL-630    Energy Policy
PUBL-701    Graduate Policy Analysis

Admission Requirements

To be considered for admission to the MS program in physics, applicants must fulfill the following requirements:

• Complete an online graduate application. Refer to Graduate Admission Deadlines and Requirements for information on application deadlines, entry terms, and more.
• Submit copies of official transcript(s) (in English) of all previously completed undergraduate and graduate course work, including any transfer credit earned.
• Hold a baccalaureate degree (or US equivalent) from an accredited university or college in physics, applied physics, or a closely-related discipline within the physical/mathematical sciences or engineering fields.
• Recommended minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 (or equivalent).
• Submit a current resume or curriculum vitae.
• Two letters of recommendation are required. Refer to Application Instructions and Requirements for additional information.
• Not all programs require the submission of scores from entrance exams (GMAT or GRE). Please refer to the Graduate Admission Deadlines and Requirements page for more information.
• Submit a personal statement of educational objectives. Refer to Application Instructions and Requirements for additional information.
• International applicants whose native language is not English must submit official test scores from the TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE. Students below the minimum requirement may be considered for conditional admission. Refer to Graduate Admission Deadlines and Requirements for additional information on English requirements. International applicants may be considered for an English test requirement waiver. Refer to Additional Requirements for International Applicants to review waiver eligibility.

Tuition fee-2 years1,06,000

Total fee-2 years1,44,000