Objectives

The Master of Science Program in Physics seeks to provide each student with a thorough understanding of the discipline in preparation for employment in research and development programs, or to prepare for advanced degree (Ph.D.) academic programs.

The Master of Science Program in Physics Teaching is designed to provide a deeper understanding of physics principles and applications, as well as to stimulate creative classroom pedagogical techniques for the professional high school educator.

Options And Requirements

The Department of Physics and Astronomy offers graduate study leading to the Master of Science in Physics and the Master of Science in Physics Teaching.

Master of Science in Physics

Admission Requirements:

To be eligible for admission to the Physics Graduate Program, an applicant must have received a Bachelor's Degree in Physics or related area from an accredited college or university. The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is required. Entering graduate students are expected to have a sound background in intermediate level mechanics, electricity and magnetism, thermal physics and mathematical methods of physics. Any student found deficient in any of these areas may be required to take appropriate courses to remove that deficiency.

Course Requirements:

The requirement for a Master of Science Degree in Physics is thirty (30) credit hours of course work with a minimum average grade of "B". Twenty-four (24) of these must be in graduate physics courses at the 600 level. A sequence of courses required by all candidates includes the following: 26-652, 26-665, 26- 667, 26-671, 26-672, 26-675. A maximum of six (6) credit hours of graduate credit may be granted for physics courses in the 500 level (above 500), or other graduate level courses in the sciences with the approval of the Physics Dept.

For those students electing the Master's Thesis option, a maximum of six (6) credit hours towards a degree can be given for thesis work.

Course descriptions

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Master of Science in Physics Teaching

Admission Requirements:

Admission to the Master of Science in Physics Teaching Program requires a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution and a working knowledge of topics classically addressed by the discipline of physics. This level of proficiency is typically achieved through successful completion of a baccalaureate program in physics, physics education, or a related field, or through experience obtained by teaching physics or related courses at the secondary level.

The degree, Master of Science in Physics Teaching, requires passing thirty-six (36) credit hours of courses as listed below, with a minimum average grade of "B". No more than nine (9) credit hours may be transferred from other institutions.

Course Requirements:

• A maximum of six (6) credit hours of graduate level education courses.
• A minimum of twenty-four (24) credit hours of graduate level physics courses.
• A maximum of six (6) graduate level credits in other sciences with departmental
    approval.

Typically, most, if not all, of the physics courses will be taken from the 26-501 to 26-549 offerings. The course 26-695 is not available to participants of this program.

Course descriptions

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A unique feature of the department is the harmonious cooperation of its members, faculty and staff towards one goal: the best education for the students. The performance of the majors has been tested by their success in prestigious graduate schools nationwide. This is complemented with a large inventory of laboratory and research grade equipment. In addition, the department has a network of PC's with modern hardware and software including word processors. These are used for computer-assisted instruction, data collection and analysis, and graphics.

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