M.S. Degree
An M.S. degree is usually an intermediate step in the graduate program, for students on the way to obtaining their Ph.D. degree. The program is designed to give a broad-base fundamental theoretical background beyond undergraduate level and some research experience, if desired. The M.S. degree can be obtained with or without a thesis. Because the path to a M.S. degree with a thesis involves research with a faculty advisor, it is important that students wishing to complete a M.S. degree in two years understand the accelerated pace at which they will have to work.
Admission Requirements
Applicants are expected to have a bachelor’s degree in physics, with upper-division courses in electricity and magnetism, mechanics, quantum mechanics, thermodynamics, and mathematical methods. Students lacking some of these courses may be admitted provisionally and will be allowed to remedy the deficiencies by taking the appropriate courses at WVU. Applicants should take the GRE general tests. We recommend, but do not require, that applicants take the physics subject test. TOEFL scores are also required of students for whom English is not their native language.
Degree Requirements
To obtain a M.S. degree the student must complete the course and research requirements. Students admitted as M.S. degree are not expected to take the Ph.D. qualifying exams but must complete their studies within 3 years. The student must maintain a GPA minimum of 3.0 for all courses.
Course Requirements
Thesis option: The M.S. degree requires 24 hours of coursework at the 600 level or above, and must including the mandatory courses listed below. Additional credit hours can be obtained by taking the elective physics courses.
Non-thesis option: The M.S. degree requires 30 hours of coursework at the 600 level or above, and must including the mandatory courses listed below. Additional credit hours can be obtained by taking the elective physics courses.
Mandatory Courses:
- PHYS 611 Introduction to Mathematical Physics
- PHYS 631 Classical Mechanics
- PHYS 633 Electromagnetism 1
- PHYS 651 Quantum Mechanics 1
- PHYS 761 Statistical Mechanics
Elective Courses:
- PHYS 634 Electromagnetism 2
- PHYS 652 Quantum Mechanics 2
- PHYS 726 Advanced Atomic and Molecular Physics
- PHYS 763 Advanced Nuclear Physics
- PHYS 764 Advanced High Energy Physics
- PHYS 771 Solid State Physics
- PHYS 772 Semiconductor Physics
- PHYS 773 Collective Phenomena in Solids
- PHYS 774 Optical Properties of Solids
- PHYS 783 Kinetic Theory of Plasma
- PHYS 784 Magnetohydrodynamic Theory of Plasma
- PHYS 791 Advanced Research Topics
- ASTR 702 Stellar Structure & Evolution
- ASTR 703 Galactic Astronomy
Research Requirement
For a the M.S. degree with a thesis the studies must be completed in 3 years, by which time the student should have performed sufficient knowledge to write a short thesis on the research they have performed. The thesis will be assessed by three faculty, including the research advisor.
To complete an MS thesis in two years the student should identify a thesis advisor by the end of the Fall Semester of year #1 and begin research in the following Spring Semester of year #1.
Typical plan of study
Fall #1
PHYS 611 Introduction to Mathematical Physics
PHYS 651 Quantum Mechanics 1
PHYS Optional elective
Spring #1
PHYS 633 Electromagnetism 1
PHYS 631 Classical Mechanics
PHYS Optional elective
Fall #2
PHYS 761 Statistical Mechanics
PHYS Elective
PHYS Optional elective
Spring #2
PHYS Elective
PHYS Elective
PHYS Optional elective
