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.

• 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.