Graduate programs
The Department offers the degrees of Master of Arts and Master of Science in Physics and Ph.D. in Applied Physics. The M.A. and M.S. programs are designed to further the development of the student as a professional physicist. Specific programs designed to meet the needs of the individual student are planned in consultation with the graduate advisers.
The department offers graduate courses in classical mechanics, quantum mechanics, electromagnetism, statistical mechanics, physics of condensed matter, atmospheric physics, and biophysics. Current research areas in theoretical and experimental physics include: statistical physics, surface physics (scanning tunneling microscopy, near-field optical microscopy, AFM, electron microscopy), and membrane biophysics (transport in biological and artificial membranes), materials physics, and global change science (climate change and atmospheric physics and chemistry).
The department also participates in the Earth, Environment, and Society PhD Degree Program in Areas of climate change and policy.
Physics M.A./M.S.
Requirements
The program must be approved by the student’s adviser and must include a minimum of 45 graduate credits in science, including not fewer than 30 credits in physics. These 30 credits in physics must be in 500- or 600- level courses as follows for thesis and non-thesis options:
Thesis Option
| Ph 617 | Quantum Mechanics | 4 |
| Ph 631 | Electromagnetic Fields and Interactions | 4 |
| Ph 624 | Classical Mechanics | 4 |
| Ph 507 | Seminar | 3 |
| | Electives | 24 |
| Ph 503 | Thesis | 6 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 45 |
Non-Thesis Option
| Ph 617 | Quantum Mechanics | 4 |
| Ph 631 | Electromagnetic Fields and Interactions | 4 |
| Ph 624 | Classical Mechanics | 4 |
| Ph 507 | Seminar | 3 |
| | Electives | 24 |
| | | |
| Ph 504 | Cooperative Education/Internship | 6 |
| | Or | |
| Ph 506 | Special Projects | 6 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 45 |
Typically, a thesis involves research, Cooperative Education/ Internship involves relevant student experiences obtained in industry or government, and a project involves review of the literature in a certain area of physics. In all cases, a written report, a presentation, and final oral exam are required.