Starting Fall, 2010, there will be no admission to the MS Applied Physics program. Please see the MS Physics program for an alternative course of study. The Professional Science Masters, formerly an option within the Applied Physics Masters degree, remains available as a Program within the Professional Science Masters Degree awarded by the OSU Graduate School.
MS Degree in Applied Physics (thesis or project) 10/13/2009
PROGRAM FOR THE M.S. DEGREE IN APPLIED PHYSICS IN THE DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICS
Graduate students pursuing a M.S. degree in Applied Physics will follow a course of study designed to provide a fundamental background and training in the application of physics principles to practical problems. Given the multitude of areas in which physics can be applied, this program will offer a large degree of flexibility in course selection. The faculty advisor will assist in planning a program appropriate for the student’s needs and interests. For the M.S. degree, the Graduate School requires 45 credits with a 3.00 grade point average (minimum). If a minor is chosen (optional) approximately 2/3 of the credit should be in the major (Physics) and the remaining 1/3 in the minor. At least 50 % of the credits in the approved M.S. program (see below) must be in “stand alone” graduate courses, i.e. 600 level courses, or 500 level courses that are not also offered simultaneously to undergraduates as 400 level courses.
A Professional Science Masters [1] program is offered as an “Area of Concentration” for the M.S. degree in Applied Physics (see below).
Program Requirements:
1. Completion of 12 credits from List A (physics core courses).
2. Completion of 9 credits from List B (general practical training).
3. Completion of 15 credits from List C (applied physics area of concentration).
4. (A) Thesis option: Completion of PH503 (thesis, 6 credits minimum, 12 credits maximum) and completion of a M.S. Thesis. (See notes below concerning the thesis.)
(B) Project option: Completion of 3 credits of PH501 (Research) and completion of a M.S. Project. (See notes below concerning the project.)
(C) Internship option (Professional Science Masters only): Completion of 6 credits of PH510 (Internship) including an internship project. (See notes below concerning the internship.)
5. Each term, all students shall register for and attend the weekly departmental colloquium (PH507, sec 001) presented by faculty members and visiting speakers on a wide range of topics of current interest. Students in the Professional Science Masters program must also enroll in the Professional Science Seminar (PSM 513) for a total of 3 credit hours.
6. The Graduate School requires a two-hour M.S. final oral examination on the major subject (and minor subject if applicable). Not more than half of the examination period should be devoted to a presentation and defense of the thesis, or presentation describing the M.S. research or internship project.
List A: Physics core courses (12 credits). The appropriate courses must be chosen in consultation with the student’s advisor.
PH 531 Capstones in Physics: Electromagnetism, 3 credits
PH 535 Capstones in Physics: Classical Mechanics, 3 credits
PH 541 Capstones in Physics: Thermal and Statistical Physics, 3 credits
PH 551 Capstones in Physics: Quantum Mechanics, 3 credits
PH 621 Dynamics of Single- and Multi-Particle Systems, 3 credits
PH 631, 632, 633 Electromagnetic Theory, 3 credits each
PH 641, 642 Statistical Thermophysics, 3 credits each
PH 651, 652,653 Quantum Mechanics, 3 credits each
List B: General Practical Training (9 credits; PSM 18 credits).
PH 511, 512 Analog and Digital Electronics, 3 credits each.
PH 515 Computer Interfacing and Instrumentation, 3 credits.
PH 564, 565, 566 Computational Physics, 3 credits each.
PH 561 Mathematical Methods, 3 credits.
List C: Applied Physics Area of Concentration (15 credits).
Students shall choose an Area of Concentration within which they can receive specialized training in applied physics. Courses will be selection with the guidance and approval of the student’s advisor and graduate committee (thesis option). With approval, courses other than those listed below may be taken as part of the 15 credit hour requirement.
Optical Physics (15):
ATS 512 Atmospheric Radiation, 3 credits.
CH 567 Molecular Spectroscopy, 4 credits.
ECE 568 Digital Image Processing, 3 credits.
ECE 592 Advanced Optoelectronics, 3 credits.
PH 581 Physical Optics, 4 credits.
PH 582 Optical Electronic Systems, 4 credits.
PH 583 Guided Wave Optics, 4 credits.
PH 585 Atomic, Molecular, and Optical Physics, 3 credits.
Materials Science (15):
BI 566 Electron Microscopy, 3 credits.
CH 535 Structure Determination by Spectroscopic Methods, 3 credits.
ECE 511 Electronic Materials and Characterization, 3 credits.
ECE 512 Electronic Materials Processing, 3 credits.
ME 581, 582 Advanced Materials Science, 3 credits each.
ME 588 Structure of Materials, 3 credits.
OC 528 Microprobe Analysis, 3 credits.
PH 575 Introduction to Solid State Physics, 3 credits.
Computational Physics (15):
CS 515 Algorithms and Data Structures, 4 credits.
CS 561 Software Engineering, 4 credits.
CS 570 Computer Architecture, 4 credits.
CS 575 Introduction to Parallel Computing, 4 credits.
ECE 572 Computer Architecture, 4 credits.
ECE 576 Parallel and Distributed Architecture, 4 credits.
MTH 587, 588, 589 Numerical Methods for Engineers and Scientists, 3 credits ea.
PH 565, 566 Computational Physics, 3 credits each.
Environmental Physics (15):
ATS 511 Thermodynamics and Cloud Microphysics, 4 credits.
ATS 512 Atmospheric Radiation, 3 credits.
ATS 513 Atmospheric Chemistry, 3 credits.
ATS 613 Aerosol and Cloud Physics, 3 credits.
CE 556 Environmental Assessment, 3 credits.
CSS 535 Soil Ecosystem Properties and Processes, 4 credits.
CSS 585 Environmental Applications of Soil Science, 4 credits.
GEO 514 Groundwater Hydraulics, 3 credits.
GEO 691 Mass and Heat Transport in the Environment, 4 credits.
GPH 620 Physics of the Earth, 3 credits.
OC 528 Microprobe Analysis, 3 credits.
OC 670 Fluid Dynamics, 4 credits.
Professional Science Masters (15):
COMM 550 Communication in Science and Industry, 3 credits
PHL 547 Research Ethics, 3 credits
PSM 565 Accounting and Finance, 3 credits
PSM 566 Marketing and Management, 3 credits
PSM 567 Innovation Management, 3 credits
Elective Courses (0-6). Elective courses will be selected by the student under guidance from the advisor and graduate committee. These courses can be used by the student to receive further training in fundamentals, practical training, or the Area of Concentration, and to explore new areas. Electives may include PH 505 Reading and Conference (by arrangement) and seminars, PH507, although the official Program of Study may contain at most 9 credits of such "blanket courses."
Research (3-12). Students will undertake research in the form of a project or a thesis in order to gain experience in the complete process of planning, implementing, and analyzing an experiment. In accordance with Graduate School guidelines, a project requires a minimum of 3 and a maximum of 6 credits hours of PH 501 Research, while a thesis requires a minimum of 6 and a maximum of 12 credits hours of PH 503 Thesis. Guidelines for the M.S. thesis [2] and the final examination [3] are established by the Graduate School.
Initial Advising:
At the start of his or her graduate studies, each student will be advised by the Graduate Program Director, or another professor recommended by the Graduate Program Director, as to the initial selection of courses. Students are welcome to request a change of advisor at any time. Also during the first year of study, M.S. students should decide between the M.S. thesis or the non-thesis (project) options described below.
Notes concerning the M.S. Thesis Option:
The experimental, theoretical, or computational M.S. thesis is designed to be of limited scope, but of a useful character. Past theses have occasionally been accepted for publication. The thesis document must satisfy formatting requirements [4] established by the Graduate School.
There are several steps designed to aid the student and the thesis advisor toward reaching their common goal:
1. At the time of the choice of M.S. thesis or project option, the student will select a faculty member who agrees to be the thesis research supervisor (“major professor”) and who will also serve as the continuing advisor. The student will also select two additional faculty members who, together with the major professor will constitute the M.S. student committee. If an optional minor is chosen, one of the additional faculty members must be selected from the minor department.
2. The student will prepare a Program of Study [5] and present it for approval by the M.S. student committee. The committee will assure that the program meets departmental and Graduate School requirements and is submitted to the Graduate School in accordance with Graduate School requirements. With the agreement of the committee, the Program of Study must be formally approved by the major professor, the minor professor (if appropriate), and the department Chair. The approved program must be filed with the Graduate School by the time the student has completed 18 graduate credits.
3. When the feasibility of the thesis research plan has been established, the student must meet with his or her committee to consider the plan. It is recommended that this meeting coincide with the program meeting described above. If approved, this work shall constitute an acceptable M.S. thesis plan. A rough timetable should be established, for protection of both student and major and minor professors. It is strongly recommended that the thesis plan anticipate completion by the end of the second year of graduate study.
4. The student’s committee will examine the student in a final oral exam [6], partly on the thesis and partly on general physics. The examination will be preceded by a presentation on the thesis research by the student. For an M.S. degree with thesis option, the examining committee must also include a Graduate Council Representative in addition to the three professors designated previously.
5. A favorable recommendation by the committee concerning the thesis and the examination will constitute satisfaction of the departmental requirements under Sections 4(A) and 6 of the M.S. program.
Notes concerning the M.S. Project:
The experimental, theoretical, or computational M.S. project is designed to give the student experience using the physics tools learned in the classroom. The project is necessarily of a limited scope, such that it can be completed by the end of the second year of graduate study. Projects building upon work done in a class, a term paper, or a Senior Thesis are acceptable. A report on the project must be submitted to the committee for its approval. The report need not be submitted to the Graduate School (as is the case for the M.S. thesis). A report with approximately 3000-5000 words is considered to be sufficient.
Students pursuing the Professional Science Masters degree in Applied Physics [1] will follow the general procedures for the non-thesis M.S. project option, except that an internship experience will replace the project.
There are several steps designed to aid the student and the project advisor toward reaching their common goal:
1. At the time of the choice of M.S. thesis or project option, the student will select a faculty member who agrees to be the thesis research supervisor (“major professor”) and who will also serve as the continuing advisor. The student will also select two additional faculty members who, together with the major professor will constitute the M.S. student committee. If an optional minor is chosen, one of the additional faculty members must be selected from the minor department (“minor professor”).
2. The student will prepare a Program of Study [5] [7]and present it for approval to the M.S. student committee. The committee will assure that the program meets departmental and Graduate School requirements and is submitted to the Graduate School in accordance with Graduate School requirements. With the agreement of the committee, the Program of Study must be formally approved by the major professor, the minor professor (if appropriate), and the department Chair. The approved program must be filed with the Graduate School by the time the student has completed 18 graduate credits.
3. When the feasibility of the non-thesis project is established, the student must meet with his or her committee to consider the proposal. If possible, this meeting should coincide with the program meeting described above. If approved, this work shall constitute an acceptable M.S. project plan. A rough timetable should be established, for protection of both student and major and minor professors. It is strongly recommended that the projects plan anticipate completion by the end of the second year of graduate study.
4. The student’s committee will examine the student in a final oral exam [3], partly on the project and partly on general physics. The examination will be preceded by a presentation on the project by the student.
5. A favorable recommendation by the committee concerning the thesis and the examination will constitute satisfaction of the departmental requirements under Sections 4(B) and 6 of the M.S. program.
The M.S. Minor:
An M.S. student may select a minor field of study in addition to the major field of study (physics). The minor may be within the physics department or in any other department that offers a graduate major. Roughly one-third of the courses listed on the Program of Study should be in the minor department. A minor outside the physics department requires that the student have a professor from the minor department on the M.S. student committee.
Transfers to Ph.D Program:
Students who have been admitted to the M.S. program may apply for admission to the Ph.D. program. To do so, a student must submit a letter of application to the Graduate Program director. As soon as possible thereafter, the student must take the written comprehensive exam set by the department. A detailed description [8] of the requirement is available on the department website. After the student has received a score for the written comprehensive exam, a decision will be made on the student's admission to the Ph.D. program. The student need not pass this written comprehensive exam at the Ph.D. level, but the result will be one of the factors used in the decision. The taking of the exam will be considered a "practice try" should the student be admitted to the Ph.D. program.
Reserving Graduate Credits as an Undergraduate:
Undergraduate students wishing to complete a B.S. in physics and an M.S. in physics within one additional year may do so by completing some of the M.S. requirements while still enrolled as an undergraduate. Up to 15 credits of 500 or 600 level courses taken as an undergraduate can be reserved for use in a graduate program. These reserved credits must be in addition to the undergraduate degree requirements and must be selected before (not after) taking the course. After receiving the B.S. degree, the student must enroll as a graduate student for the final year of this program and complete the remaining M.S. requirements. For students choosing this option, it is advisable to take one of the core course sequences during the last undergraduate year. Interested students should meet with the Undergraduate Program Director and the Graduate Program Director as soon as possible to discuss the details of this option.