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Description of the Program

The master of science degree may be earned by fulfilling the requirements for the master of science with thesis or the master of science without thesis. A full-time graduate student seeking a master of science degree will normally be expected to take the thesis option. The without-thesis option is mainly designed for part-time students who already have career employment.


Requirements for the M.S. Degree With Thesis
1.    30 graduate credit hours with the following constraints:

•    At least fifteen (15) hours from M.S. Core Courses;

•    At least fifteen (15) hours of M.S. Elective Courses with no more than six (6) hours from Physics 5599;

2.    A comprehensive written examination, passed at the "passing", "qualifying" or "comprehensive" level, covering all basic areas of undergraduate and graduate physics;

3.    A satisfactory* thesis, written and defended;

4.    General requirements set by the School of Graduate Studies.

Requirements for the M.S. Degree Without Thesis
1.    33 graduate credit hours with the following constraints:

•    At least fifteen (15) credit hours of core M.S. courses;

•    No more than twelve (12) credit hours of 400-level courses;

•    At least six (6) credit hours of 500-level M.S. Elective courses.

2.    A comprehensive written examination, passed at the "passing", "qualifying" or "comprehensive" level, covering all basic areas of undergraduate and graduate physics.

All graduate students must maintain a grade-point average of 3.0 (A = 4.0). A student who chooses the thesis option must maintain satisfactory progress on a research project. There are no language requirements for the M.S. degree.

Graduate students should consult with the graduate adviser** prior to enrollment.

M.S. Core Courses
PHYSICS 5510: Theoretical Mechanics I
PHYSICS 5520: Electromagnetic Theory I
PHYSICS 5530: Quantum Mechanics I
PHYSICS 5540: Statistical Physics I
PHYSICS 5521: Electromagnetic Theory II
PHYSICS 5531: Quantum Mechanics II


M.S. Elective Courses
PHYSICS 5500: Methods Of Mathematical Physics I
PHYSICS 5501: Methods Of Mathematical Physics II
PHYSICS 5511: Theoretical Mechanics II
PHYSICS 5535: Optical Properties Of Matter
PHYSICS 5541: Statistical Physics II
PHYSICS 5550: Atomic And Molecular Structure
PHYSICS 5560: Nuclear Physics
PHYSICS 5570: Quantum Theory of Solids I
PHYSICS 5590: Topics In Physics
PHYSICS 5595L: Computer Interfacing Laboratory
PHYSICS 5599: Research And Thesis
PHYSICS 410: Thermal Physics
PHYSICS 420: Optics
PHYSICS 476LW: Advanced Lab
PHYSICS 450: Introduction To Solid State Physics
PHYSICS 460: Electricity And Magnetism I
PHYSICS 461: Electricity And Magnetism II
PHYSICS 472: Introduction To Quantum Mechanics


*Satisfactory is determined by the students committee
**Prof. A. Caruso, Flarsheim 250H, 816-235-2505, caruson@umkc.edu