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
An applicant seeking to pursue graduate study in the College may be admitted as either a degree-seeking or non-degree seeking student. Policies and procedures of Graduate Studies govern the process of Graduate admission. These may be found in the Graduate Studies section of the online catalog.
Please consult the Departments & Programs section of the online catalog for information regarding program-specific admissions criteria and requirements. Special admissions requirements pertain to Interdisciplinary Studies degrees, which may be found in the Graduate Studies section of the online catalog.
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 General and Subject GRE are not required for admissions to the Physics and Astronomy graduate program. For information about admission deadlines and required materials, please visit the department website. Submit your graduate application online. Send all other requested application materials to the department:
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
Candidates must complete a minimum of 30 credit hours of advanced lecture courses (numbered 500 or above) in physics and related subjects within a period of 7 years. 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.
Program requirements include
- 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. Visit the Department’s website for more information on these requirements and the process of certification.
- 4 basic courses:
Course List Code Title Hours PHSX 711 Quantum Mechanics I 3 PHSX 718 Mathematical Methods in Physical Sciences 3 PHSX 821 Classical Mechanics 3 PHSX 831 Electrodynamics I 3 - 2 additional courses chosen from:
Course List Code Title Hours PHSX 721 Chaotic Dynamics 3 PHSX 741 Nuclear Physics I 3 PHSX 761 Elementary Particles I 3 PHSX 781 Solid State Physics I 3 PHSX 792 Topics in Advanced Astrophysics 3 PHSX 793 Physical Cosmology 3 PHSX 795 Space Plasma Physics 3 PHSX 815 Computational Methods in Physical Sciences 3 - A minimum of 2 hours in PHSX 899 Master’s Research/Thesis is required, with a maximum of 6 hours that count toward the master’s degree. No more than 3 hours will be allowed unless directed towards completion of a thesis on original research or a written report. Students must consult with the research advisor before enrolling in more than 3 credit hours.
- The remaining 6 to 10 hours of advanced electives must be either advanced lecture courses or advanced undergraduate laboratory courses. (This proviso excludes seminars and special problems courses.)
- All graduate students, after their first semester, will deliver at least 1 oral presentation per semester.
- General Examination: Candidates must pass a general oral examination in physics. The examination is given shortly before completion of other work for the degree. 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
Please visit the departmental web page for additional information, e.g., milestones.
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 degree is a subspecialty program 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 degree is intended as a terminal MS 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.
Degree Requirements
A total of at least 33 hours of credits including 30 hours of graduate credit is required for the degree. At least 50% of these hours must be at the 700 level or above. Courses numbered 500 or above count for graduate credit. Some of the courses listed below are undergraduate level EECS courses that do not count as graduate credit. Students entering the program may have satisfied several of these requirements but a total of 30 hours of graduate credit is still required. No more than the required 6 hours of PHSX 899 (Master’s Research/Thesis) may be counted toward the degree.
- 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. Visit the Department’s website for more information on these requirements and the process of certification.
- Required Courses (24 credit hours)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| 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 – 1 course at the 300 level or above (in addition to MATH/EECS 781) (Note: courses below the 500 level will not count towards the required 30 hours of graduate credit.) | 3 | |
| EECS or MATH - 1 course at the 700 level or above in EECS or MATH (in addition to MATH/EECS 781 and the EECS 300+ requirement) | 3 | |
| 1 additional PHSX/ASTR lecture course at the 500 level or above | 3 | |
| PHSX 899 | Master's Research/Thesis | 6 |
3. 9 or more credits from at least 3 lecture or lab courses from the following list of courses:
Note: Double counting of courses is not allowed, e.g. a course used to fulfill a requirement under part 2. may not also be counted under part 3.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| EECS 388 | Embedded Systems 1 | 4 |
| EECS 672 | Introduction to Computer Graphics | 3 |
| EECS 739 | Parallel Scientific Computing | 3 |
| EECS 835 | Advanced Data Science | 3 |
| EECS 836 | Machine Learning | 3 |
| EECS 837 | Data Mining | 3 |
| MATH 611 | Time Series Analysis | 3 |
| MATH 647 | Applied Partial Differential Equations | 3 |
| MATH 650 | Nonlinear Dynamical Systems (cannot be counted along with PHSX 721) | 3 |
| MATH 727 | Probability Theory | 3 |
| or MATH 627 | Probability | |
| MATH 728 | Statistical Theory | 3 |
| or MATH 628 | Mathematical Theory of Statistics | |
| MATH/EECS 782 | Numerical Analysis II | 3 |
| MATH 783 | Applied Numerical Methods for Partial Differential Equations | 3 |
| PHSX/ASTR Courses Numbered 500 and above | ||
Footnote 1: Courses below the 500 level do not count towards the required 30 hours of graduate credit. | ||
4. All graduate students, after their first semester, will deliver at least 1 oral presentation per semester.
5. An important component of this degree 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.
Please visit the departmental web page for additional information, e.g., milestones. Please visit the Graduate Studies policy library for other requirements which may apply.