GRADUATE PROGRAMS |
Graduate Programs - Master of Science in PhysicsThe Master of Science in Physics may be obtained via either a thesis or a course work option. Students who plan to end their graduate studies with the MS in Physics are encouraged to pursue the thesis option. The information below is intended to serve only as a guide. More details are available from the Chair of the Physics Graduate Studies Committee and in the Graduate School Bulletin. Course WorkCertain courses in physics are considered foundational for all students seeking graduate degrees in Physics, irrespective of intended research specialty. Course work is not limited to preparation for specific research work, but has been selected to provide a general physics education to act as a foundation for future study and a career in physics. The course work requirement is a grade of B or better in the following core courses (20 credits):
In addition, a grade of B or better is required in at least one of the following disciplinary courses:
Exemptions from taking any of the core courses, on the basis of prior graduate work, are to be determined by the Chair of the Graduate Studies Committee (GSC) based on the student's performance on a written proficiency exam to be administered during the student's first quarter at MTU. Courses may be taken outside of Physics with written preapproval of the Department Chair, the Graduate Studies Committee Chair and the student's advisor. A minimum of two-thirds of the course work credits, i.e., non-research credits, must be taken in residence at MTU. All grades must B or better in the major subject area. Every graduate students is required to maintain, at the end of each term, a cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of at least 3.0. Failure to do so will result in the student being placed on academic probation and may result in the loss of funding.
Plan A. Thesis OptionStudents intending to terminate their graduate study at the Master's level are encouraged to pursue Plan A. In addition to the required courses outlined above, a minimum of 6 credits of the total of 30 required by the Graduate School are taken as Graduate Research (PH5999). University policy requires that at least 2/3 of the course work be completed in residence at MTU. A degree schedule (Form M4 - available in the Physics Department office or in the Keeping-On-Track booklet) must be filed in triplicate with the Graduate School office twelve weeks preceeding the granting of the degree. Approval of the degree schedule is necessary before the final oral examination may be scheduled. Three weeks prior to the proposed oral examination date the student, in consultation with his or her research advisor, must fill out and file with the Graduate School office Form M5 which selects the examining committee and schedules the exam. Confirmation is sent to each committee member by the Graduate School. Form M6 must be filled out immediately following the oral examination (students should bring this form with them to the exam). Plan B. Report/Project OptionThe Report or Project option, Plan B, is available to students under special cirumstances. Students interested in Plan B should consult with the Chair of the Graduate Studies Committee. Plan C. Course-Work OptionThis option is designed for students pursuing the PhD in Physics who when admitted to the graduate program do not already possess an MS degree in Physics or its equivalent. Students with advanced preparation in pursuit of the PhD in Physics might skip the MS degree altogether upon the recommendation of their advisory committee. Please be aware that the following degree requirements are much more stringent than the minimum requirements dictated by the Graduate School for Plan C. The course work requirement includes a grade of B or better in graduate courses approved by the student's advisory committee totaling 30 credit hours, including all core courses described above. In addition, a minimum of 6 credits of Graduate Research (PH5999 or PH6999) must be earned. A thesis is not required. However, the research serves both as the beginning of the doctoral research and the basis of the Preliminary Examination, described under the PhD program. A written exam testing the knowledge acquired through course work must be passed prior to the award of the degree. The Graduate School has approved the use of a written exam as opposed to the oral exam described in the Graduate School Bulletin. The written exam is the PhD Qualifying Examination described under the PhD program. Two passing levels are possible on the Qualifying Examination: A high level pass satisfies both the MS exam requirement and the PhD Qualifying Exam requirement, whereas a low level pass satisfies only the MS exam requirement. Upon request by the student, the Graduate Studies Committee will file all necessary forms (M forms) for students completing a Master's degree in Physics under Plan C.
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