MS
Physics
Application Deadline
Contact Information
Admission Requirements
Required Tests
GRE
Additional Requirements
Baccalaureate degree or equivalent in physics
GRE
Additional Requirements
Baccalaureate degree or equivalent in physics
Program Requirements
The master of science degree prepares recipients for work and research in industry, government, or teaching. It is commonly earned by those who intend to continue on for the PhD.
Requirements for Degree.
Students completing this master's degree with a grade of B- or better in 5 non-repeatable courses who pass the qualifying exam and defend their MS thesis at the level of a PhD candidacy exam may smoothly transition into the Physics or Physics and Astronomy PhD program.
Requirements for Degree.
- Credit hours (30): Students must pass a minimum of 24 hours in approved course work with a C- grade or better in each class and complete 6 hours of thesis research in Phsc 699R. The final GPA must be 3.0 or above.
- Required courses: Students are required to enroll in Phscs 691R each semester of residence and in Phscs 696R the first two semesters of residence.
- Study list: By the beginning of the second semester of study a student must be accepted as a research student by a member of the department graduate faculty and with their guidance submit a study list which is the list of courses they will take to complete the 30 hour requirement. This list must be approved by the graduate coordinator.
- Undergraduate credit: Up to 6 hours of coursework may be from undergraduate courses (300 level or higher) upon approval of the graduate coordinator.
- Prospectus: In the first year of residency a prospectus detailing the proposed thesis research must be submitted and defended before the student's advisory committee.
- Thesis: A thesis must be completed, successfully defended in an oral examination before the student's advisory committee.
Students completing this master's degree with a grade of B- or better in 5 non-repeatable courses who pass the qualifying exam and defend their MS thesis at the level of a PhD candidacy exam may smoothly transition into the Physics or Physics and Astronomy PhD program.
Program Outcomes
Foundational Skills
Each student will achieve a mastery of physics at a level required for their chosen profession. They will choose a research project and prepare for it by completing relevant graduate-level courses.
Research Skills
Each student will pursue research of significance, and report these results orally and in writing.
Communication and Professional Preparation
Each student will join and participate in an appropriate professional society and communicate their research both orally and in writing to this society and other relevant local and national groups.
Ethics
Each student will learn and follow the principles of ethics in science.
Each student will achieve a mastery of physics at a level required for their chosen profession. They will choose a research project and prepare for it by completing relevant graduate-level courses.
Research Skills
Each student will pursue research of significance, and report these results orally and in writing.
Communication and Professional Preparation
Each student will join and participate in an appropriate professional society and communicate their research both orally and in writing to this society and other relevant local and national groups.
Ethics
Each student will learn and follow the principles of ethics in science.
Program Stats
Characteristics of Students from Past Academic Year
Total Students
34.0
International
4.0
Male
29.0
Female
5.0
LDS
32.0
BYU Undergraduate
21.0
Five Year Average of Graduated Students
Average Years to Degree
1.89
Graduated Per Year
18.2
GMAT Quantitative Percentile
67.5
Five Year Average of Admitted Students
Applied Per Year
13.6
Admitted Per Year
9.6
Percent Admitted
70.59
Average GPA
3.62
Courses and Faculty