Master in Applied Physics

The Master in Applied Physics degree program has been designated by the Council of Graduate Schools as a Professional Science Master's - an innovative, new graduate degree designed to allow students to pursue advanced training while simultaneously developing workplace skills highly valued by employers.

PSM programs consist of two years of academic training in an emerging or interdisciplinary area, along with a professional component that may include internships and "cross-training" in workplace skills. This program has been developed in concert with employers and is designed to dovetail into present and future professional career opportunities.

The physics content of the program aims at imparting advanced and specialized knowledge in selected areas of applied physics, while also emphasizing a broad set of skills including a range of laboratory techniques, computational and mathematical/ numerical modeling and use of computers for data analysis and automation.

The program offers the flexibility to choose from specialized content courses focused on areas that address the needs of the current technology workplace. A key constituent of the program will be an internship or a research component that will allow students to acquire real-life problem-solving experience while working on-site at technology enterprises or participating in faculty research in applied areas.

Admission Requirements

A baccalaureate degree in physics or a related field such as chemistry, mathematics or engineering from a regionally accredited college or university. Students who have not majored in physics will qualify for admission if their undergraduate education included two calculus-based courses in physics and at least two upper-level physics courses. Students without a degree in physics and/or adequate preparation may be required to take remedial courses and/or additional 500-level electives from the curriculum, based on a case-by-case analysis.

An undergraduate GPA of at least 3.00 is required for full admission and at least 2.75 for provisional admission.

Application Deadline

The program admits students for the fall and spring terms only. Priority will be given to students whose applications and transcripts have been received by March 1 for fall admission and November 1 for spring admission. Students who miss the priority deadline may contact the program director via email to inquire if space is still available for the forthcoming term.

Application Requirements

Required documents for application:

• A resume including names and contact information for three references
• Official transcripts
• One letter of recommendation (Email address of recommender must be entered on application).
• A brief statement of purpose indicating academic and professional objectives

Degree Requirements

The degree will require completion of a minimum of 37 total units of coursework. Students with inadequate undergraduate preparation in physics may be required to take more than 37 units due to additional courses that may be needed to remedy deficiencies in undergraduate coursework. 19 of the 37 units of coursework will consist of the physics content courses, split between 10 units of core courses from Group A and 9 units of electives from Group B. Another 9 units are assigned for courses in Group C which belong to the ‘plus’ category. The remaining 9 units are distributed among the Group D courses that comprise 3 units of research with faculty and 6 units for thesis and/or internship.