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Master of Science (M.S.)

The master's program is designed to give students maximum flexibility. The department has outlined three programs to complete the M.S. degree:

Thesis Option

The course requirements include 24 semester hours of physics courses, of which at least 12 semester hours are taken from Physics 511-12 or 513-514, 521-22, 531-32, 541-42, or 571-72. Each candidate must present an acceptable thesis, 6 hours of 500, and pass an oral examination on course material and thesis.

The department offers an M.S. thesis program with a concentration in geophysics. Program requirements are: 12 hours from Physics 513-514, 531-32, 541-42, 571-72; a minimum of 12 additional hours in geology, geophysics, and/or physics, as approved by the student's committee; and the presentation of an acceptable thesis, 6 hours of Physics 500, and the passing of an oral examination on course material and thesis.

Project Option

The course requirements include a minimum of 30 hours of graduate credit in courses composed of Physics 506, 511-512; 6 hours from Physics 593,594 for a Project in Lieu of Thesis; 9 hours from general physics: 411-412, 421, 431-432, 461-462, 507, 508, 521-522, 531-532, 541-542, 555, 571-572 (at least 3 hours above the 500 level); and 6 hours from a single minor field outside of the physics department, such as computer science, mathematics, engineering, chemistry, biology, education, business, or law.

The candidate must pass an oral examination on course material and on the Project representing the culmination of an original research project completed by the student. A written report must be approved and accepted by the Physics Graduate Committee and the Department Head. An electronic version of the written report must also be submitted to the permanent electronic archive of the Physics Department available to the Internet.

Non-Thesis Option

Students seeking the non-thesis option must apply to the department's graduate committee for permission to enroll under this program. The requirements are the satisfactory completion of 30 hours of coursework composed of 18 semester hours from Physics 511-12 or 513-514, 521-22, 531-32, 541-42, and 571-72; 6 semester hours in a minor field; and 6 semester hours from other courses numbered above 400 (preferably of advanced laboratory nature.) At least 20 hours must be taken at the 500-level or above. In addition, the candidate must pass a written examination administered by his/her committee.