Master of Science Program

The M.S. program in Physics comprises seven courses with at least 24 credits, a non-credit seminar course, and a Master's thesis. The elective courses are subject to advisor approval and may include at most two upper level undergraduate courses.

First Semester
Kredi ECTS
PHYS 500 Readings in Physics
Supervised reading and library work. Choice of material according to individual needs. Both written and oral presentations are required (1+0+0) 1 ECTS 3
 1 1 3 3
PHYS 501 Classical Dynamics
Principles of mechanics. Hamilton’s principle and Lagrange’s equations, conservation laws. The principle of least action. Lagrangian formalism: Central forces, rigid body motion, small oscillations. The Hamilton’s equation of motion, canonical transformations, Hamilton-Jacobi theory. Lagrange’s and Hamilton’s equations for continuous media. (4+1+0) 4 ECTS 10
 4 4 10 10
PHYS 511 Electromagnetic Theory I
Electrostatics and magnetostatics. Time-dependent fields and Maxwell’s equations. Multipole expansion of the radiation field. The interaction of radiation with matter. Interference and diffraction. Wave guides and cavities. Electromagnetism and relativity. (4+1+0) 4 ECTS 10
 4 4 10 10
PHYS 531 Quantum Mech. I
Postulates. Harmonic oscillator. Hydrogen atom. Symmetries. Angular momentum. Spin. Addition of angular momentum. Identical particles.
 4 4 10 10
Total:
13
Total:
13
Total:
33
Total:
33
Second Semester
Kredi ECTS
PHYS 532 Quantum Mech. II
Bound state problems. Approximation methods. Time dependent and independent perturbation theories. Scattering theory. Applications. Introduction to relativistic quantum mechanics and path integrals.
4 4 10 10
PHYS 541 Statistical Mech. I
Laws of thermodynamics and their applications. Classical kinetic theory and the Boltzmann equation. Microcanonical, canonical and grandcanonical partition functions. Ideal quantum gases. Various applications in solid-state, nuclear and astrophysics.(4+1+0) 4 ECTS 10
 4 4 10 10
PHYS 579 Graduate Seminar
Saminars offered by faculty, guest speakers, and/or graduate students designed to widen students’ perspectives on specific topics of interest and to expand their range of scientific research techniques and publication ethics.
0 0 3 3
-- -- Elective 3 3 7 7
Total:
11
Total:
11
Total:
30
Total:
30
Third Semester
Kredi ECTS
PHYS 690 Master Thesis in Physics
Design and completion of a research project on a topic of student’s special interest under the supervision of a thesis advisor.
0 0 60 60
Total:
0
Total:
0
Total:
60
Total:
60
ECTS ECTS 2
Total:
24
Total:
24
Total:
123
Total:
123

MS Remedial Program

If the candidate’s background is not physics, or his/her previous preparation is deemed insufficient, he/she will have to take an additional year of the remedial classes given below, which cover the topics of the third and fourth year physics:

 

Phys 302 Classical Dynamics II

Phys 401 Electromagnetic Theory I

Phys 402 Electromagnetic Theory II

Phys 411 Quantum Mechanics I

Phys 412 Quantum Mechanics II

Phys 421 Statistical Mechanics

Phys 326 Mathematical Methods in Physics

 

In order to continue to the regular MS program, the candidate must have passed all the remedial courses and obtained a minimum GPA of 2.5. The candidate can be waived out of the remedial exam if he/she passes the remedial waiver exam.