Master of Science in Physics
The broad goal of the degree programs in Physics and Astronomy is to understand the physical universe. The questions addressed by our department’s research and education missions range from the applied, such as an improved understanding of the materials that can be used for solar cell energy production, to foundational questions about the nature of mass and space and how the Universe was formed and subsequently evolved, and how astrophysical phenomena affected the Earth and its evolution. The courses and laboratory/research experiences in the department’s master of science program help students to hone their problem solving and analytical skills and thereby become broadly trained critical thinkers. This program more specifically prepares students for Ph.D. programs, for industry, or for work at government laboratories.
Admission to Graduate Studies
Admission Requirements
- All applicants must meet the requirements outlined in the Admission to Graduate Study policy.
- Bachelor’s degree: A copy of official transcripts showing proof of a bachelor's degree (and any post-bachelor’s coursework or degrees) from a regionally accredited institution, or a foreign university with equivalent bachelor's degree requirements is required.
- English proficiency: Proof of English proficiency for non-native or non-native-like English speakers is required. There are two bands of English proficiency, including Admission and Full proficiency. For applicants to online programs, Full proficiency is required.
Admission to the Physics and Astronomy Graduate Program
Most admitted students have an undergraduate grade-point average of at least a B (3.0 on a 4.0 scale), overall and in the major. A baccalaureate degree with a major in physics is desirable but not required. Recommended preparation consists of courses in mechanics, electromagnetic theory, thermal physics, introductory quantum mechanics, advanced laboratory, and at least one course in mathematics beyond differential equations. Working knowledge of computers and of an advanced programming language is helpful. A student with less than the recommended preparation may enroll in these courses for graduate credit.
The following materials are required and must be submitted before the application deadline in order for the application to be considered:
- Transcripts A scanned version of the transcript from your undergraduate and any post-Bachelor institution(s). If admitted, you will be required to submit official transcripts by the end of your first semester at KU to avoid having a hold placed on your student account. Review the KU Transcript requirement for more information, especially for International Applicants who may need to provide additional documentation.
- Statement of Purpose A single document also including: academic interests and professional goals.
- Resume or Curriculum Vitae
- Recommendations. You will be asked for the names and email addresses of three people who can write a recommendation letter describing your qualifications for graduate school in physics and astronomy. Once you submit the application, an email will be sent to each recommender requesting a letter and electronic survey from each person that you name.
The General and Subject GRE are not required for admission to the Physics and Astronomy graduate program. Submit your graduate application online. The deadline to apply for Fall 2025 admission is December 16th, 2024. The deadline to apply for Spring 2026 admission is October 1st, 2025.
The University of Kansas
Department of Physics and Astronomy
Malott Hall
1251 Wescoe Hall Dr., Room 1082
Lawrence, KS 66045
M.S. Degree in Physics
Program requirements:
Within 12 months of entering the program the student must fulfill the requirements of the individualized plan of study for all graduate degrees to certify an undergraduate knowledge of Physics. To develop the individualized plan of study, students will be required to attend an advising session with the Departmental Graduate Advisor. This session will include a discussion of the student's transcripts, potential course enrollment, and administration of a diagnostic exam. Results of this exam will help determine a suggested course schedule. Following the development of the individualized plan, the advising process will continue through regular check-ins and reviews of student progress. These reviews will include looking at student grades, research progress, and general progress toward meeting departmental milestones.
The Master of Science in Physics requires a total of 30 hours of coursework and allows for the following two degree completion options:
- Master's Thesis Defense
- Final Oral Examination
Course Requirements:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses | ||
| PHSX 711 | Quantum Mechanics I | 3 |
| PHSX 718 | Mathematical Methods in Physical Sciences | 3 |
| PHSX 821 | Classical Mechanics | 3 |
| PHSX 831 | Electrodynamics I | 3 |
| Two additional courses chosen from the following: | 6 | |
| Chaotic Dynamics | ||
| Nuclear Physics I | ||
| Elementary Particles I | ||
| Solid State Physics I | ||
| Topics in Advanced Astrophysics | ||
| Physical Cosmology | ||
| Space Plasma Physics | ||
| Computational Methods in Physical Sciences | ||
| Completion Options | ||
| All students are required to enroll in Research/Thesis hours. | ||
| PHSX 899 | Master's Research/Thesis | 2 |
| Students select one of the following degree completion options for a total of 10 hours: | 10 | |
Master's Thesis: PHSX 899 (Up to 4 additional hours) and advanced elective courses chosen from the list below, up to 10 hours. | ||
| OR | ||
Final Oral Examination: 1 credit of PHSX 899 and 9 hours of advanced elective credits chosen from the list below, OR 10 hours of advanced elective courses. | ||
| Advanced Elective Courses | ||
| Introductory Quantum Mechanics | ||
| Physical Measurements | ||
| Mathematical Physics | ||
| Mechanics I | ||
| Electricity and Magnetism | ||
| Electronic Circuit Measurement and Design | ||
| Cosmology and Culture | ||
| Research Methods | ||
| Special Topics in Physics and Astrophysics: _____ | ||
| Design of Physical and Electronic Systems | ||
| Introductory Quantum Mechanics | ||
| Numerical and Computational Methods in Physics | ||
| Physical Measurements | ||
| Mechanics II | ||
| Electromagnetic Theory | ||
| Introduction to Nuclear Physics | ||
| Optics | ||
| Introduction to Elementary Particle Physics | ||
| Thermal Physics | ||
| Introduction to Solid State Physics | ||
| Astrophysics I | ||
| Gravitation and Cosmology | ||
| Chaotic Dynamics | ||
| Seismology | ||
| Advanced Geophysics: _____ | ||
| Nuclear Physics I | ||
| Elementary Particles I | ||
| Solid State Physics I | ||
| Topics in Advanced Astrophysics | ||
| Physical Cosmology | ||
| Interiors and Atmospheres | ||
| Space Plasma Physics | ||
| Radiation and the Interstellar Medium | ||
| Galaxies | ||
| High Energy Astrophysics | ||
| Advanced Topics | ||
| Quantum Mechanics II | ||
| Computational Methods in Physical Sciences | ||
| Nuclear Physics II | ||
| Advanced Optics | ||
| Elementary Particles II | ||
| Statistical Physics I | ||
| Solid State Physics II | ||
| Materials Modeling | ||
| Materials Characterization | ||
| Plasma Physics | ||
| Quantum Mechanics III | ||
| Quantum Field Theory | ||
| Relativity | ||
| Electrodynamics II | ||
| Advanced Statistical Mechanics | ||
| Total Hours | 30 | |
Advanced lecture courses are those number 500 or above. At least 50% of coursework counted toward the degree must be at the 700 level or above. Credit toward the 30 required hours is not given to students who take courses at a lower level after having completed similar upper level courses (as determined by the department) with a grade of B- or higher.
Oral Presentation Requirement
All graduate students, after their first semester, will deliver at least one oral presentation per semester. Presentations must cover a topic in physics or astronomy and typically relate to the student's research.
Completion Options
Thesis Option
A master’s thesis is not required but may be submitted if the candidate and the director of the candidate’s research believe it to be appropriate. Students pursuing this option must complete an oral presentation and defense of a thesis to a faculty committee. A final comprehensive oral examination is given in conjunction with the thesis defense. Potential examination outcomes are Pass with Honors, Satisfactory, and Unsatisfactory.
A minimum of 2 hours of PHSX 899 is required for all M.S. students. No more than 3 hours will be allowed unless directed toward completion of a thesis on original research or a written report. Students must consult with their research advisor before enrolling in more than 3 credit hours of PHSX 899.
Final Oral Examination Option
If no thesis is presented, the student must still complete an exam project with an oral component, satisfied by the general oral examination in physics given to all M.S. students. The examination is given shortly before completion of other work for the degree. Potential examination outcomes are Pass with Honors, Satisfactory, and Unsatisfactory.
The master's degree can be completed as a terminal degree, or may be earned in addition to the Ph.D. if requirements for both are completed.
Please visit the departmental web page for additional information, and to access the graduate student handbook.
Please visit the Graduate Studies section of the University Policy Library for information on time constraints and other requirements which may apply.
Computational Physics and Astronomy Concentration
This concentration of the M.S. degree is for students with a background in physics, astronomy, computer science, mathematics, or engineering who wish to become familiar with computer-based approaches to problems in these fields. This concentration is intended as a terminal M.S. that can be completed in two years. Minimum preparation expected includes a year's course in general physics, mathematics through differential equations, and a knowledge of python, FORTRAN, C++ or another programming language suited to scientific applications. Students pursuing this degree with an applied mathematics emphasis may wish to consider also earning a Graduate Certificate in Applied Mathematics.
All non-coursework M.S. program requirements listed above also apply to this concentration.
Course Requirements:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses | ||
| PHSX/ASTR 815 | Computational Methods in Physical Sciences | 3 |
| PHSX 718 | Mathematical Methods in Physical Sciences | 3 |
| MATH/EECS 781 | Numerical Analysis I | 3 |
| or EECS 639 | Introduction to Scientific Computing | |
| EECS Requirement | 3 | |
| Choose one of the following: | ||
| Introduction to the Theory of Computing | ||
| Electronic Circuits III | ||
| Computer Systems Design Laboratory I | ||
| Computer Systems Design Laboratory II | ||
| Electric Energy Production and Storage | ||
| Power System Analysis | ||
| Introduction to Communication Systems | ||
| Introduction to Communication Networks | ||
| Introduction to Information and Computer Security | ||
| Introduction to Data Mining | ||
| Computer Forensics | ||
| Software Engineering II | ||
| Computer Science and Interdisciplinary Computing Capstone | ||
| Cybersecurity Design | ||
| Electromagnetic Compatibility | ||
| Microwave and Radio Transmission Systems | ||
| Interdisciplinary Collaborations | ||
| Fiber Optic Communication Systems | ||
| Advanced Data Structures and Algorithms | ||
| Introduction to Scientific Computing | ||
| Computer Architecture | ||
| Introduction to Digital Signal Processing | ||
| Computer Systems Architecture | ||
| Introduction to Artificial Intelligence | ||
| Introduction to Machine Learning | ||
| Programming Languages | ||
| Introduction to Digital Communication Systems | ||
| Compiler Construction | ||
| Introduction to Network Security | ||
| Introduction to Semiconductor Processing | ||
| Multicore and GPU Programming | ||
| Advanced Software Security Evaluation | ||
| Introduction to Operating Systems | ||
| Introduction to Hardware Security and Trust | ||
| Introduction to IoT Security | ||
| Mobile Security | ||
| Special Topics: _____ | ||
| Directed Reading | ||
| Software Reverse Engineering | ||
| Special Topics: _____ | ||
| Information Security and Assurance | ||
| Network Security and its Application | ||
| High-Speed Digital Circuit Design | ||
| Antennas | ||
| Microwave Engineering | ||
| Introduction to Radar Systems | ||
| Photonics | ||
| Fiber-optic Measurement and Sensors | ||
| Introduction to Bioinformatics | ||
| Machine Learning | ||
| Parallel Scientific Computing | ||
| Digital Image Processing | ||
| Advanced Computer Architecture | ||
| Digital Signal Processing Implementation in Programmable Logic Devices | ||
| Database Systems | ||
| Advanced Operating Systems | ||
| Modern Computer Organization and Design | ||
| Embedded and Real Time Computer Systems | ||
| Software Modeling and Analysis | ||
| Estimation and Control of Unmanned Autonomous Systems | ||
| Programming Language Foundation I | ||
| Analysis of Algorithms | ||
| Introduction to Cryptography and Computer Security | ||
| Information Retrieval | ||
| Virtual Machines | ||
| Information Theory | ||
| Geometric Modeling | ||
| Functional Programming and Domain Specific Languages | ||
| Advanced Software Security Auditing | ||
| Communication Networks | ||
| Numerical Analysis II | ||
| Hardware Security and Trust | ||
| Internet of Things Security | ||
| Digital Very-Large-Scale-Integration | ||
| Mobile Security | ||
| Software Reverse Engineering | ||
| Special Topics: _____ | ||
| Software Engineering and Management | ||
| IT Project Management | ||
| Software Requirements Engineering | ||
| Software Quality Assurance | ||
| Software Architecture | ||
| Advanced Electromagnetics | ||
| Microwave Remote Sensing | ||
| Advanced Fiber-Optic Communications | ||
| Machine Learning | ||
| Mining Special Data | ||
| Programming Language Foundation II | ||
| Adaptive Signal Processing | ||
| Random Signals and Noise | ||
| Principles of Digital Communication Systems | ||
| Network Analysis, Simulation, and Measurements | ||
| Wireless Communication Systems | ||
| Network Security | ||
| Mathematical Optimization with Applications | ||
| Error Control Coding | ||
| Graduate Problems | ||
| Detection and Estimation Theory | ||
| Mathematical Optimization with Communications Applications | ||
| EECS or MATH Requirement | 3 | |
| Satisfied by one course at the 700 level or above in EECS or MATH. See list above for EECS courses and below for MATH courses. | ||
| Nonparametric Statistics | ||
| Combinatorial Mathematics | ||
| Graph Theory | ||
| Probability Theory | ||
| Statistical Theory | ||
| Stochastic Adaptive Control | ||
| Mathematical Analysis I | ||
| Mathematical Analysis II | ||
| Numerical Analysis II | ||
| Applied Numerical Methods for Partial Differential Equations | ||
| Linear Algebra II | ||
| Modern Algebra | ||
| Directed Readings | ||
| Complex Analysis I | ||
| Set Theory | ||
| Real Analysis and Measure Theory I | ||
| Introduction to Topology | ||
| Algebraic Topology I | ||
| Algebraic Combinatorics | ||
| Abstract Algebra | ||
| Abstract Algebra II | ||
| Differentiable Manifolds | ||
| Differential Equations and Dynamical Systems | ||
| Topics in Dynamical Systems: _____ | ||
| Stochastic Processes I | ||
| Stochastic Processes II | ||
| Statistical Decision Theory | ||
| Topics in Advanced Numerical Linear Algebra: _____ | ||
| Topics in Advanced Numerical Differential Equations: _____ | ||
| Fourier Analysis | ||
| Algebraic Curves | ||
| Lie Groups and Lie Algebras | ||
| Advanced Probability | ||
| Partial Differential Equations | ||
| Topics in Advanced Partial Differential Equations II: _____ | ||
| Functional Analysis | ||
| Topics in Functional Analysis: _____ | ||
| Readings in Mathematics | ||
| PHSX/ASTR course requirement: 1 additional lecture course within the department at the 500 level or above | 3 | |
| Introductory Quantum Mechanics | ||
| Physical Measurements | ||
| Mathematical Physics | ||
| Mechanics I | ||
| Electricity and Magnetism | ||
| Electronic Circuit Measurement and Design | ||
| Cosmology and Culture | ||
| Research Methods | ||
| Special Topics in Physics and Astrophysics: _____ | ||
| Design of Physical and Electronic Systems | ||
| Introductory Quantum Mechanics | ||
| Numerical and Computational Methods in Physics | ||
| Physical Measurements | ||
| Mechanics II | ||
| Electromagnetic Theory | ||
| Introduction to Nuclear Physics | ||
| Optics | ||
| Introduction to Elementary Particle Physics | ||
| Thermal Physics | ||
| Introduction to Solid State Physics | ||
| Astrophysics I | ||
| Gravitation and Cosmology | ||
| Quantum Mechanics I | ||
| Chaotic Dynamics | ||
| Seismology | ||
| Advanced Geophysics: _____ | ||
| Nuclear Physics I | ||
| Elementary Particles I | ||
| Solid State Physics I | ||
| Topics in Advanced Astrophysics | ||
| Physical Cosmology | ||
| Interiors and Atmospheres | ||
| Space Plasma Physics | ||
| Radiation and the Interstellar Medium | ||
| Galaxies | ||
| High Energy Astrophysics | ||
| Advanced Topics | ||
| Quantum Mechanics II | ||
| Classical Mechanics | ||
| Electrodynamics I | ||
| Nuclear Physics II | ||
| Advanced Optics | ||
| Elementary Particles II | ||
| Statistical Physics I | ||
| Solid State Physics II | ||
| Materials Modeling | ||
| Materials Characterization | ||
| Plasma Physics | ||
| Quantum Mechanics III | ||
| Quantum Field Theory | ||
| Relativity | ||
| Electrodynamics II | ||
| Advanced Statistical Mechanics | ||
| Additional Electives: Nine or more credits from at least 3 lecture or lab courses from the following list: | 9 | |
Students may also choose any PHSX/ASTR courses numbered 500 and above to fulfill this requirement. Please see above for full list. | ||
| Parallel Scientific Computing | ||
| Machine Learning | ||
| Mathematical Optimization with Applications | ||
| Time Series Analysis | ||
| Applied Partial Differential Equations | ||
| Nonlinear Dynamical Systems (Cannot be counted along with PHSX 721) | ||
| Probability Theory | ||
or MATH 627 | Probability | |
| Statistical Theory | ||
or MATH 628 | Mathematical Theory of Statistics | |
| Numerical Analysis II | ||
| Applied Numerical Methods for Partial Differential Equations | ||
| Thesis Hours | ||
| PHSX 899 | Master's Research/Thesis | 6 |
| Total Hours | 33 | |
*Note: Double counting of courses is not allowed, e.g. a course cannot be used to fulfill two requirements simultaneously.
Courses numbered 500 or above count for graduate credit, but at least 50% of credit hours must be at the 700 level or above.
Thesis
An important component of this concentration is the completion and documentation of a successful computer project. A thesis must be presented that describes the basic physics involved in the project, the method of implementing the project, and a discussion of the results. An oral defense of the thesis is required before a committee of at least 3 members of the graduate faculty. Potential examination outcomes are Pass with Honors, Satisfactory, and Unsatisfactory.
Please visit the departmental web page for additional information, and to access the graduate student handbook. Please visit the Graduate Studies policy library for other requirements which may apply.
At the completion of this program, students will be able to:
- Display knowledge of graduate level physics and astronomy.
- Display successful (oral and written) communication of scientific results.
- Display acquisition of discipline specific research skill.
- Display ability of independent research in physics and astronomy.