MA in Physics

Students admitted to the PhD program may opt for a master’s degree en route to the PhD if they satisfy the appropriate requirements, but initially students may not apply for a master’s degree alone.

Learning Outcomes

• Demonstrate a thorough and advanced understanding of the core areas of physics, including mechanics, electricity and magnetism, thermal and statistical physics, and quantum mechanics, along with the mathematics necessary for qualitative and quantitative analyses in these areas.
• Show evidence of the ability to acquire, analyze, and interpret quantitative data in the core areas of physics.

Course Requirements

Eight courses (32 units) are required, with grades of B– or higher while maintaining a B average in the core lecture courses listed below (CAS PY 501, PY 511, PY 512, PY 521, PY 541). Course requirements are as follows:

• Five must be lecture courses numbered between 500 and 850, including:
  • CAS PY 501 Mathematical Physics
  • CAS PY 511 Quantum Mechanics I
  • CAS PY 512 Quantum Mechanics II
  • CAS PY 521 Electromagnetic Theory I
  • CAS PY 541 Statistical Mechanics I
• CAS PY 581 Advanced Laboratory (may be waived if a student submits evidence of having taken an equivalent course at their undergraduate institution. If PY 581 is waived, it must be replaced with another 4-unit lecture course.)
• CAS PY 961 Scholarly Methods in Physics I (must be taken in first year)

Up to three non-lecture courses (numbered above 899) may be counted toward the course requirements but with no more than one directed study course and one seminar course.

Language Requirement

There is no foreign language requirement for this degree.