The physics graduate program emphasizes cutting edge research and education, resulting in orginal published work, and preparing our students for university, national lab, or industrial/corporate employment. A full range of courses are offered, including many research level advance courses. Physics faculty work closely with graduate students, mentoring them in a variety of areas, including condensed matter, high energy, and particle physics, astrophysics, physics education, etc. Students also benefit from weekly seminars, colloquia, group meetings and collaborations with other students and postdocs in large externally funded research groups.

Curriculum

Physics - MS

First Year - Fall Semester
10-12 Credit hours required per adviser instruction
Required Courses
Course    Title/Desc    Credit
PHYS8090    Graduate Colloquium    1
PHYS8091    Advanced Seminar    1
Physics Course Options
Course    Title/Desc    Credit
PHYS7001    Mathematical Physics    4
PHYS7005    Classical Particles and Fields I    4
PHYS7010    Quantum Mechanics I    4
PHYS7057    Life and Research Skills for Physicists    1

First Year -Spring Semester
10-12 Credit hours required per adviser instruction
Required Courses
Course    Title/Desc    Credit
PHYS8090    Graduate Colloquium    1
PHYS8091    Advanced Seminar    1
Physics Course Options
Course    Title/Desc    Credit
PHYS7002    Statistical Physics    4
PHYS7006    Classical Particles and Fields II    4
PHYS7011    Quantum Mechanics II    4
PHYS7057    Life and Research Skills for Physicists    1

Second Year - Fall Semester
10-12 Credit hours required per adviser instruction
Required Courses
Course    Title/Desc    Credit
PHYS8090    Graduate Colloquium    1
PHYS8072    Research for the Master's Degree    1 - 12
PHYS8091    Advanced Seminar    1
Physics Course Options
Course    Title/Desc    Credit
PHYS8010    Quantum Field Theory I    3
PHYS8015    Particle Physics I    3
PHYS8025    Astrophysics I    3
PHYS8030    Advanced Statistical Physics    3
PHYS8035    Condensed Matter Physics I    3
PHYS8071    Advanced Problems    1 - 12

Second Year - Spring Semester
10-12 Credit hours required per adviser instruction
Required Courses
Course    Title/Desc    Credit
PHYS8072    Research for the Master's Degree    1 - 12
PHYS8091    Advanced Seminar    1
PHYS8090    Graduate Colloquium    1
Physics Course Options
Course    Title/Desc    Credit
PHYS8011    Quantum Field Theory II    1 - 3
PHYS8016    Particle Physics II    3
PHYS8026    Astrophysics II    3
PHYS8031    Many Body Theory    1 - 3
PHYS8036    Condensed Matter Physics II    3

Master's Requirements

Requirements for MS in Physics

MS students have two options, thesis or non-thesis. A thesis MS student takes one year of courses and then works with an individual faculty member on a research project culminating in a thesis exam. A non-thesis MS student takes two years of courses and must pass the qualifying exam.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

• CORE: The following courses are required for all MS: 7001, 7002, 7005, 7006, 7010, 7011.
• SEMINAR: 8090 and 8091 are required in every term.
• RESEARCH: For a thesis MS, a student must take a minimum of 6 credits of 8072R and a minimum of 2 advanced (8000 or 9000 level) graduate level courses.
• SPECIALIZATION: For a non-thesis MS, a student must take a minimum of 4 advanced (8000 or 9000 level) graduate level courses.

EXAMINATION REQUIREMENTS:

• THESIS EXAM: For a thesis MS, a student is tested on the thesis and its background science.
• QUALIFYING EXAM: For a non-thesis MS, a student must pass this exam at the MS level by the spring semester of the second year

Admission Requirements

The minimum required GPA for graduate study is 3.0. Applicants should take the General GRE, and are strongly encouraged to take the Physics GRE subject area test for international applicants. Applicants without Physics GRE subject area test scores must provide other evidence of outstanding achievement and promise. There are no minimum required GRE scores for admission. Instead, we consider your scores, overall record, and letters of recommendation to make the admission decision. 

Visit the Physics website or contact the program directly for information about application requirements or to inquire about materials that need to be submitted when applying to this program.

If you would like to submit an electronic application for the Physics program, please visit our Online Graduate School Application and complete the form.

Tuition fee-2 years$60,000

Total fee-2 years$92,000