COURSE CURRICULUM

The Master of Science in Physics program, offered by the Department of Physics and Astronomy, is a research-oriented graduate degree designed to prepare students for advanced study and professional work in physics and related fields. Students may pursue either a thesis option, requiring 24 semester hours of coursework plus 6 semester hours of thesis research, or a non-thesis option, requiring a total of 30 semester hours of coursework. In both tracks, core foundational courses include PH 501 Classical Dynamics, PH 531 Electromagnetic Theory, PH 541 Quantum Mechanics, and PH 571 Statistical Physics, which establish a strong theoretical and mathematical foundation across classical and modern physics. All students are also required to participate in PH 597 Physics Seminar each semester in residence, which provides exposure to current research topics and professional development in scientific communication. The thesis option emphasizes independent research culminating in PH 599 Thesis Research and an oral defense that evaluates both coursework mastery and research outcomes, while the non-thesis option replaces research hours with additional electives and requires an oral examination based on coursework. Students may select electives across physics and astronomy to broaden or specialize their knowledge, with at least 18–24 hours required in discipline-specific coursework depending on the track. For students interested in astrophysics, a focused Astronomy track is available in both thesis and non-thesis forms, incorporating courses such as theoretical astrophysics (AY 521) or observational techniques (AY 533), along with AY 597 Astrophysics Seminar. This concentration integrates physics principles with astronomical observation and modeling, preparing students for careers in space science, research institutions, or doctoral programs. Across all versions of the degree, the program emphasizes analytical reasoning, quantitative problem-solving, and research competence. Graduates are equipped for careers in scientific research, higher education, or technical industries where advanced knowledge of physical systems and computational methods is required, with the thesis track particularly strengthening preparation for PhD-level study.