Physics
Degree: M.S.
Coordinator: Terrill W. Mayes
MASTER OF SCIENCE DEGREE IN APPLIED PHYSICS
The Master of Science program in Applied Physics offers both thesis and
non-thesis degree options. While students have opportunities for research in
several areas, the research emphasis of faculty in the department is in the
area of applied optics. Primary areas of research include: opto-electronic
devices and systems, optical sensors, near-field optics, fiber optics, laser
spectroscopy, and biomedical optics. A description of research in these and
other areas is available electronically at http://www.physics.uncc.edu.
Additional Admission Requirements. In
addition to general requirements for admission to the
1. Possess a Bachelor's degree in Physics, or equivalent, from an accredited college or university.
2. Present satisfactory scores on the aptitude and physics specialty portion of the Graduate Record Examination.
3. Possess an overall GPA of at least 2.75 on all of the applicant's work beyond high school. The GPA in the major should be 3.0 or better.
4. Present satisfactory scores on the Test of English as a Foreign Language, if the applicant is from a non-English speaking country.
5. Demonstrate evidence of sufficient interest, ability, and preparation in physics to adequately profit from graduate study, as determined by the Physics Department's Graduate Committee.
Degree Requirements. The Master of Science degree in Applied Physics requires the completion of 30 hours of coursework approved by the Physics Department and may include up to 12 semester hours from such related areas as Mathematics, Chemistry and Engineering. A candidate for the degree must present credit for PHYS 4222, PHYS 4232, PHYS 4242, and at least 15 semester hours in physics courses numbered 6000 and above. Courses for which undergraduate credit has been awarded may not be repeated for graduate credit. Students may select between a thesis and non-thesis option. A student selecting the thesis option must complete at least 6 semester hours of Physics Thesis Research, PHYS 6900, as part of the required coursework.
A minimum GPA of at least 3.0 is required on all coursework attempted for
the degree. At the time of admission up to 6 semester hours of graduate
transfer credit may be accepted if approved by the Physics Department and the
Comprehensive Examination. All
candidates for the degree must pass a final examination.
Assistantships. Support for graduate students is usually in the form of teaching assistantships for beginning students and research assistantships for continuing students.
Interdisciplinary Ph.D. Option. The Physics Department, in conjunction with the Departments of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering, offers an option for students who have completed the Master of Science program in Applied Physics to pursue studies leading to a Ph.D. in those areas of applied optics that relate to optoelectronics, microelectronics, precision engineering, or materials engineering. Students choosing to work in optoelectronics or microelectronics would receive the Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering; those working in precision engineering or materials engineering would receive a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering. Students selecting this option would pursue a course of study that includes work in both the Physics Department and one of the two engineering departments. Opportunities in this area are available from the Graduate Coordinator for the Physics Graduate Program or electronically at http://www.physics.uncc.edu/
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