Master of Science Degree Program

Requirements for an MS degree in Physics...

There are two ways to get an MS degree in Physics at UAH. The first involves writing a thesis and the second involves taking the Department's Comprehensive Exam. Note that, in additon to the course requirements listed below, a student with either a GRA or GTA must also enroll in PH 792 (Physics Seminar) for each semester they have the assistantship.

Thesis Option

In this case, the student will work with a faculty advisor on a research topic, the results of which the student will write up in a thesis and defend in front of their thesis committee. Students writing a thesis do not need to take the Comprehensive Examination. Note that the thesis option is required for students seeking a degreethrough the Optics and Photonics Technology Curriculum, which is discussed below.

This option requires

• 24 credit hours in graduate courses, plus at least 6 hours of PH 699 (Thesis Research), for a total of 30 graduate credit hours. PH 551, 552, 601, 621, and 631 are required courses.
• Two semesters of PH 792 (Physics Seminar) with a grade of “S”; seminar hours do not, however, count toward minimum degree requirements. 
• Successfully writing and defending a Master's Thesis.

 

Non-Thesis/Comprehensive Exam Option

This exam is offered once every year, early in the spring semester, and also serves as the preliminary examination for the PhD degree program. The Comprehensive Exam is on material covered in the first year and half of graduate studies, and has sections dealing with quantum mechanics, E&M and relativity, classical mechanics, and the topical electives (e.g., optics, astrophysics, etc.) taken by the student.  Past exams are available on this website.

This option requires

• 33 graduate credit hours
• a score greater than 40% on the Comprehensive Exam
• Two semesters of PH 792 (Physics Seminar) with a grade of “S”; seminar hours do not, however, count toward minimum degree requirements.

Course work during the first one and a half years should be taken with the Comprehensive Examination in mind. A recommended schedule of courses for students entering UAH without previous graduate studies is given in the table below. Thesis students and students in the Optical Science and Engineering Ph.D. program (that desire a non-thesis MS in physics) are required to take PH 551, 552, 601, 621, and 631.

Fall Semester, Year 1	Spring Semester, Year 1	Summer Session, Year 1
PH 607	PH 609	PH 621
PH 551	PH 552	Topical Elective
Topical Elective	Topical Elective
Physics Seminar (1 credit)	Physics Seminar (1 credit)
Fall Semester, Year 2	Spring Semester, Year 2
PH 601	Take Comprehensive Exam
PH 631
Topical Elective

 

In this context the term “Topical Elective” refers to courses taken in preparation for the topical section of the Department’s Comprehensive Examination. For example: students wishing to be examined in optics should take PH 541, PH 542, and PH 645; those wishing to be examined in solid state physics should take PH 560, PH 561; those wishing to be examined in space plasma physics should take PH 531 and PH 636; and those wishing to be examined in astrophysics should take PH 571. Students should consult with their advisor regarding the selection of topical elective courses.

Note that topical electives may be taken in other departments, such as Atmospheric Science, thus offering the MS student significant latitude in curriculum preparation.

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