Master of Science in Physics and Astrophysics
Admission Requirements
The applicant must meet the School of Graduate Studies’ current minimum general admission rquirements as published in the graduate catalog.
- A four-year bachelor’s degree from a recognized college or university.
- A cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of at least 2.75 for all undergraduate work (2.5 for M. Engr.) or a GPA of at least 3.0 for the junior and senior year of undergraduate work (based on a 4.0 scale).
- Completed a minimum of 21 semester credits of undergraduate physics, plus mathematics through differential equations or the equivalent.
- Coursework should include intermediate courses in mechanics, electricity and magnetism, optics, thermal physics, and modern quantum physics. Adequate preparation in general chemistry is also necessary.
- Satisfy the School of Graduate Studies’ English Language Proficiency requirements as published in the graduate catalog.
- An applicant without satisfactory undergraduate training may be admitted to the program, but will be required to remove deficiencies by completing the necessary undergraduate courses without receiving graduate credit for them.
- Ph.D. applicants are encouraged to submit the Graduate Record Examination scores for the general test and advanced physics test.
Degree Requirements
Students seeking the Master of Science degree at the University of North Dakota must satisfy all general requirements set forth by the School of Graduate Studies as well as particular requirements set forth by the Physics and Astrophysics Department.
The program is designed to provide the student with basic physics courses at the graduate level and an introduction to research.
- Minimum of 30 semester credits in a major field, including the credits granted for the thesis and the research leading to the thesis.
- At least one-half of the credits must be at or above the 500-level.
- A maximum of one-fourth (usually 8-9 semester credits) of the credit hours required for the degree may be transferred from another institution.
- Complete the following courses:
Course List Code Title Credits PHYS 509 Methods of Theoretical Physics 3 PHYS 539 Quantum Mechanics 3 PHYS 541 Theory Electricity Magnetism 3 PHYS 545 Analytical Mechanics 3 - Complete six additional hours from the following:
Course List Code Title Credits PHYS 510 Methods of Theoretical Physics 3 PHYS 540 Quantum Mechanics 3 PHYS 542 Theory of Electricity and Magnetism 3 - Complete research project and PHYS 998 Thesis (4-9 credits).
Five-year B.S.-M.S. Degree Program in Physics
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PHYS 251 | University Physics I | 4 |
| PHYS 252 | University Physics II | 4 |
| PHYS 253 | University Physics III | 4 |
| PHYS 317 | Mechanics I | 3 |
| PHYS 318 | Mechanics II | 3 |
| PHYS 324 | Thermal Physics | 3 |
| PHYS 325 | Optics | 3 |
| PHYS 325L | Optics Laboratory | 1 |
| PHYS 327 | Electricity and Magnetism I | 3 |
| PHYS 328 | Electricity and Magnetism II | 3 |
| PHYS 415 | Undergrad Research Experience | 3 |
| PHYS 428 | Advanced Physics Laboratory | 2 |
| PHYS 431 | Quantum Mechanics I | 3 |
| PHYS 432 | Quantum Mechanics II | 3 |
| PHYS 509 | Methods of Theoretical Physics | 3 |
| PHYS 510 | Methods of Theoretical Physics | 3 |
| PHYS 539 | Quantum Mechanics | 3 |
| PHYS 540 | Quantum Mechanics | 3 |
| PHYS 541 | Theory Electricity Magnetism | 3 |
| PHYS 542 | Theory of Electricity and Magnetism | 3 |
| PHYS 545 | Analytical Mechanics | 3 |
| PHYS 590 | Research | 1-16 |
| MATH 165 | Calculus I | 4 |
| MATH 166 | Calculus II | 4 |
| MATH 207 | Introduction to Linear Algebra | 2 |
| MATH 265 | Calculus III | 4 |
| MATH 266 | Elementary Differential Equations | 3 |
| MATH 352 | Introduction to Partial Differential Equations | 3 |
| CHEM 121 | General Chemistry I | 3 |
| CHEM 121L | General Chemistry I Laboratory | 1 |
| CHEM 122 | General Chemistry II | 3 |
| CHEM 122L | General Chemistry II Laboratory | 1 |
| Total Credits | 92-107 | |