
Master in Physics
Winston-Salem, USA
DURATION
2 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
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EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2025
TUITION FEES
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STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
Scholarships
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Introduction
The typical incoming student has taken senior-level classes in Classical Mechanics, Electrodynamics, Quantum Mechanics, Statistical Physics & Thermodynamics, and has a strong Math background (comfortable with multivariable calculus, ordinary and partial differential equations, complex numbers, vector calculus, statistics). Deficiencies may be removed in the first year of study by taking the appropriate 600-level classes (graduate/undergraduate classes).
Curriculum
Master of Science Degree
Residence Requirement. In general, a minimum of twelve months of full-time work or its equivalent in residence is required for the master’s degree. For students who have already completed a part of their graduate work, appropriate adjustment of the residence requirement can be made by the graduate program director. The total allowable time for completion of the degree must not exceed six years. Extensions may be granted given extenuating circumstances.
Course requirements. A Master of Science degree candidate must have a minimum of thirty semester hours of graduate credit (600 level classes or higher). This minimum requirement can include no more than six hours of research. Sixteen hours of lectures, conferences, or examinations, or thirty-two hours of laboratory work are equivalent to one semester hour of credit. Required classes cannot be taken S/U (satisfactory/unsatisfactory), unless they are only offered S/U.
Students desiring to transfer from another graduate school are not allowed more than six semester hours of credit for previous course work, except in unusual cases and upon approval of the dean of the Graduate School.
The course of study consisting of classes, seminars, and research is compiled by a group including the student, the student’s advisor, and the chair of the department or program director of the major field of interest.
- Physics 711 (Math Methods and Classical Mechanics); Physics 712 (Electromagnetism); Physics 741 (Quantum Mechanics I); and participation in the Department seminar Physics 601 (Physics Seminar) most semesters (more than 70% of semesters spent in the program). The requirement to attend the seminar may be waived for some semesters for part-time students or given extenuating circumstances as determined by the program director.
- At least six credit hours of research (Physics 791). Physics 791 is taken on a S/U (satisfactory/unsatisfactory) basis. While U (unsatisfactory) does not explicitly affect the GPA, a student earning a grade of U is not making satisfactory research progress and may be dismissed from the program. If a U is assigned, the course must be repeated and an S earned before the degree can be awarded.
- At least 24 credit hours of physics coursework (not counting thesis research). This coursework is typically 3 credit hour or 1.5 credit hour classes. 1 credit hour classes/seminars do not count toward the 24 credit hours of coursework. At least 12 of these 24 hours of coursework must be at the 700 level.
- A full time student must sign up for at least 9 credit hours (classes and/or research) per semester.
Transfer credit. Credit may be allowed for as many as six credit hours of graduate work transferred from another institution (after evaluation and at the discretion of the program director and graduate dean).
Grade Point Average (GPA).
- To graduate, students must achieve a GPA of 3.0
- A GPA of 2.5 or lower for two semesters will result in dismissal from the program.
Preliminary Examination (Written or Oral Qualifying Exam). There is no preliminary exam for Master’s students.
Admission to Degree Candidacy. A student is admitted to degree candidacy by the dean of the Graduate School after recommendation by the Physics department. After admission to candidacy, the student is expected to complete the master’s degree requirements by one additional semester’s work.
Thesis. The student must complete an acceptable thesis under faculty supervision (Physics 791), and pass an oral examination in its defense. Theses are written under the supervision of the student’s advisory committee (and advisor from the department, a second reader from within the department, and a third reader either from outside the department or the student’s area of concentration). Members must be members of the graduate faculty. (On exception, with the approval of the advisor, the student may recommend one person who is not a member of the graduate faculty). A final copy of the thesis must be submitted by the candidate to the examining committee at least three weeks before the final examination. The committee will be polled by the chair of the examining committee at least ten days before the proposed date of the examination to determine the acceptability of the thesis. A minimum of five copies must be printed. Three copies become the property of the University. An abstract of approximately 200 words is also required.
Admission to Degree Candidacy. A student is admitted to degree candidacy by the dean of the Graduate School after recommendation by the major department. The student is expected to complete the master’s degree requirements by one additional semester’s work.
Final examination (defense). The examining committee for the thesis shall consist of at least three members of the graduate faculty, including the advisor. The committee shall be appointed by the dean of the Graduate School and may include one member from outside the student’s department or program who represents the Graduate Council and who serves as chair of the committee. With the approval of his or her advisor, a student may recommend an external member to serve on the examining committee. The thesis advisor must justify the participation of an external expert who is not a member of the graduate faculty on the basis of research, publications and/or professional activities. If the external expert is to be a voting and signing member of the examining committee, the advisor must communicate to the dean of the Graduate School, in writing, the qualifications of the external expert. The examination covers the thesis and knowledge in related areas and is conducted at least ten days prior to graduation. A student may be reexamined only once.
The final examination (defense) covers the thesis and knowledge in related areas. Possible committee decisions are ‘unconditional pass’, ‘pass upon rectifying minor deficiencies’, ‘pass upon rectifying major deficiencies’, ‘fail’. If a student fails, he/she may be reexamined only once.
The first part of the defense must be a public talk or presentation of the student’s work. An announcement must be posted and distributed in the department mailboxes of faculty and students and staff at least a week ahead of the talk. This announcement includes the title, date, time, and location of the presentation, as well as a summary of the student’s research, presentations given at conferences, and publications.