COURSE CURRICULUM

The Master of Science (M.S.) in Physics at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute offers a rigorous and flexible graduate program designed to strengthen students’ understanding of advanced physical principles and research methodologies. Completion of the degree requires a total of 30 credit hours of graduate work, with at least 21 credits dedicated to coursework tailored to meet each student’s academic and research interests. All students must complete PHYS 6510 (Quantum Mechanics I) and at least two of the following three core courses: PHYS 6410 (Electrodynamics), PHYS 6520 (Quantum Mechanics II), and PHYS 6590 (Statistical Mechanics). The remaining credits may be earned through elective courses or research. Students may choose to complete either a research project or a thesis to fulfill degree requirements—earning 3 to 6 credits for a project or 6 to 9 credits for a thesis. The program prepares graduates with both theoretical and practical expertise, equipping them for careers in research, academia, and industry, or for further doctoral study. Students benefit from close interaction with faculty mentors, access to cutting-edge research facilities, and opportunities to contribute to innovative studies in areas such as condensed matter physics, materials science, optics, and computational physics.