M.S. in Physics
The Department of Physics grants the Master of Science Degree under two options: Plan-A (thesis required), and Plan-B (without thesis).
Plan-A Requirements
| Coursework | ||
| PHSX 594 | Seminar (01 - Teaching Seminar) | 1 |
| PHSX 594 | Seminar (15 - Research Introduction Seminar) | 1 |
| PHSX 501 | Mathematical Methods and Their Applications in Classical Mechanics | 3 |
| PHSX 506 | Quantum Mechanics I | 3 |
| PHSX 519 | Mathematical Methods and Their Applications in Electromagnetic Theory | 3 |
| PHSX 535 | Statistical Mechanics | 3 |
| Electives (see electives) | 6 | |
| Thesis | ||
| PHSX 590 | Master's Thesis (An acceptable thesis and at least 10 credits of this course are required) | 10 |
| Examination | ||
| Qualifying and Comprehensive Examinations are required. A Final Oral Defense of the thesis is also required. | ||
| Total Credits | 30 | |
Plan-B Requirements
| Coursework | ||
| A minimum of 30 credits of acceptable course work is required, which shall be distributed as follows: | ||
| PHSX 594 | Seminar (01 -Teaching Seminar) | 1 |
| PHSX 594 | Seminar (15 -Research Introduction Seminar) | 1 |
| PHSX 501 | Mathematical Methods and Their Applications in Classical Mechanics | 3 |
| PHSX 506 | Quantum Mechanics I | 3 |
| PHSX 519 | Mathematical Methods and Their Applications in Electromagnetic Theory | 3 |
| PHSX 520 | Electromagnetic Theory II | 3 |
| or ASTR 550 | Radiative Processes in Astrophysics | |
| PHSX 535 | Statistical Mechanics | 3 |
| Electives (see electives) | 13 | |
| Thesis | ||
| None Required | ||
| Examinations | ||
| Qualifying and comprehensive exams are required. The comprehensive exam for Plan B involves a review of the student’s coursework performance in the five required core physics courses by the student’s degree committee. | ||
| Total Credits | 30 | |
Examinations
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A student attempting to obtain the M.S. degree under Plan B must pass the Qualifying Examination at the M.S. level. A student who has passed the Qualifying Exam at the Ph.D. level will be deemed to have passed the M.S. Qualifying Examination.
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The Comprehensive Exam for M.S. degree-seeking graduate students under Plan B is based on the student's aggregate performance in the five core physics courses. Passing this Comprehensive Exam fulfills the Comprehensive Examination requirement of the Graduate School for a master's degree and is subject to all conditions and requirements set forth by the official policies of the Graduate School.
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Passing the Physics Comprehensive Examination covering the thesis and related areas fulfills the Comprehensive Examination requirement of the Graduate School for M.S. degree-seeking graduate students under Plan A.
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Details concerning the Physics Qualifying Comprehensive Examination and the Physics Comprehensive Candidacy Examination can be found at http://www.physics.montana.edu/grad/
Details on Physics graduate programs, application process, and degree requirements can be found at: Physics Graduate Program Overview and in the Physics graduate manual that is accessible from the Physics Department Home page https://physics.montana.edu/ .
Required Examinations: Qualifying and Comprehensive Examinations are required. A Final oral defense of the thesis is also required for Plan A. For details, see the Physics graduate manual that is accessible from the Physics Department Home page https://physics.montana.edu/ .
Qualifying exam: The Qualifying Exam assesses a student’s competence in fundamental physics. The exam is used to identify
areas of weakness the student should address to be successful in the graduate program and beyond. The Qualifying Exam provides a formative experience for solidifying a student’s command of fundamental physics. The Qualifying Exam is at the upper-division undergraduate level. The exam tests four subjects: 1) classical mechanics, 2) quantum mechanics, 3) electricity and magnetism, and, 4) statistical/thermal physics. Each
subject must be passed for M.S. and Ph.D students. The Qualifying Exam is in two parts:
- Part A: classical mechanics and quantum mechanics, given in August.
- Part B: electricity and magnetism, and statistical/thermal physics, given in January.
3 problems are given in each subject area, of which 2 must be passed.
Subject areas not passed on the Qualifying Examination can be addressed by taking the appropriate advanced undergraduate course and obtaining a grade of B or higher.
Comprehensive Exam: The Comprehensive Exam for M.S. degree-seeking graduate students is based on the student's aggregate performance in the six core physics courses, not a written exam. Passing this Comprehensive Exam fulfills the Comprehensive Examination requirement of the Graduate School for a master's degree.
Thesis Defense: For Plan A M.S. degrees, a final oral examination is conducted by the student’s Graduate Committee to assess the research contributions of the student. The passing of this Thesis Defense fulfills the Defense of Thesis requirement of the Graduate School for a master’s degree.