COURSE CURRICULUM

The Master of Science (MS) in Physics at Wichita State University requires completion of an approved plan of study developed in consultation with a faculty advisor and the department chair, with two available pathways including a 36-credit-hour nonthesis option and a 30-credit-hour thesis option that incorporates original research culminating in a written thesis. The curriculum is structured to ensure strong graduate-level preparation in core areas of physics, requiring at least 12 credit hours in 800-level or higher courses such as classical mechanics, classical electricity and magnetism, statistical mechanics, and quantum mechanics, which provide a foundational understanding of advanced theoretical physics. Students also complete an additional 12 credit hours of coursework, which may include approved electives both within and outside the physics department, allowing up to 12 credit hours from related disciplines such as mathematics, engineering, or computer science to support interdisciplinary study. In the thesis option, students complete 6 credit hours of PHYS 809 Research, focusing on a supervised research project that contributes to original scientific inquiry, while nonthesis students complete additional coursework and may take alternative research-related components. The program includes a diagnostic examination in the first semester to assess preparedness for graduate-level study and ensure appropriate course placement, and thesis students must successfully complete an oral defense of their research. Applied learning is an essential component of the degree, with thesis research serving as the primary pathway for meeting this requirement, while nonthesis students may fulfill it through approved alternatives such as research papers, PHYS 816, or other faculty-approved scholarly or research activities. Overall, the MS in Physics at Wichita State is designed to build strong analytical, computational, and theoretical skills while providing flexibility for interdisciplinary study and preparation for doctoral programs or careers in scientific research and technology-driven industries.