Master of Science in Physics - Requirements
The objective of our M.S. program is to build a firm basis for subsequent Ph.D. study in physics or in related fields, for positions in industry, and for teaching at the community college level. We offer a broad-based academic program with the opportunity for specialized theoretical or experimental research. Students completing degrees have successfully pursued all three of these career goals - with roughly equal numbers going to doctoral programs and industry, and a smaller number directly into teaching.
Areas of research in which our faculty are active include physics pedagogy, condensed matter theory and experiment, characterization of materials properties (amorphous semiconductors), dipolar magnetism, Fullerene research, laser Raman spectroscopy, radiation medical physics, classical and quantum field theory, and gravitation. Faculty also study forces and interaction of fundamental constituents of matter with experiments using the world’s most powerful particle accelerators at Fermi National Laboratory and CERN, Switzerland. Astronomy research includes observations of cataclysmic variables, black holes, and extrasolar planets. It is done with the most powerful instruments available today, including Hubble Space Telescope, and other NASA spacecraft, as well as many other telescopes around the world.
Under the direction of the graduate adviser and the graduate faculty, a coherent program, directed toward the student’s goal in graduate study and designed within the framework outlined in the copy that follows, is prepared and submitted to the department. There is a standard core of classical mechanics (PHYS 203 ), classical electrodynamics (PHYS 220A , PHYS 220B ) and quantum mechanics (PHYS 222A , PHYS 222B ) which is strongly recommended for students planning to pursue further graduate study -and, at least in part, for all students. Other courses, both from within and from outside the department, can be used to complete the 30 unit master’s program. A culminating experience, consisting of either a thesis (PHYS 299 ) or a project (PHYS 298 ) plus a competency examination, is required.
Undergraduate education equivalent to a physics major at California State University, Fresno is necessary for admission. Note the other requirements under Graduate Program.