Physics

Graduate Programs

Description

The Department of Physics and Astronomy offers the Master of Science degree in Physics. This degree is designed for students wishing to prepare themselves for
doctoral study, for work in a research and technology position, or for teaching at the community college level. 

Majors

 Program Locations Total Credits
Physics MS MS - Master of Science
  • Mankato
 34

Policies & Faculty

Policies

Admission

In addition to meeting the general admission requirements of the College of Graduate Studies and Research, applicants must have an undergraduate degree in physics or a related field. Applicants must also provide the following:

  1. A one-page personal statement of career interests and goals.
  2. Two letters of recommendation from professors in colleges where the applicant did undergraduate study.
  3. For international students, a minimum TOEFL score of 530 is required.

Financial Assistance

The Department of Physics and Astronomy has a limited number of graduate teaching assistantship available. Preference is given to those with a good command of spoken English. For students whose native language is not English, a minimum of TOEFL score of 550 is required. Application materials can be obtained on the web page of the Office of Graduate Studies and Research. 

Physics MS Requirements

  1. A new graduate students is required to take a physics placement test prior to the start of his or her first semester of study. 
  2. A graduate student should complete a Plan of Study during the first part of the second semester. This will require close . consultation between the student and the initial advisor.
  3. At least half of the credits applied to the degree must be earned in 600-level courses excluding thesis or alternate plan paper credits. 
  4. A reading knowledge of a foreign language or a demonstrated ability in computer programming is required. 
  5. All student must pass a written comprehensive examination. The comprehensive exam must be taken by the end of the second semester. A student cannot start his or her thesis research before passing the comprehensive written exam. 
  6. An oral defense of thesis is required for thesis plan. 

Contact Information

141 Trafton North

Main Office (507) 389-5743
http://cset.mnsu.edu/pa/

Faculty

Chair
  • Thomas Brown, PhD
Faculty

500 Level

Credits: 2

This course bridges the gap between introductory physics and its application to the life and biomedical sciences. Topics include fluid flow, membrane transport, nerve conduction, imaging methods including MRI, CT, and nuclear imaging, radiotherapy, and health physics.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 4

Rectilinear motion of a particle, general motion of a particle in three dimensions. Newtonian mechanics including harmonic oscillations, forced oscillations, central forces and orbital motion, collisions, noninertial reference systems, dynamics of a system particles, rigid body motion, Lagrangian and Hamiltonian mechanics, normal coordinates.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

Electrostatic fields, magnetostatic fields, steady currents, electromagnetic induction. Review of vector algebra.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

Electromagnetic waves, propagation and radiation of waves, and electrodynamics and relativity.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

Atoms in crystals, wave in crystals, thermal vibrations of the crystal lattice, free electron model, band theory of solids, semiconductors and PN junctions, magnetism, and superconductivity.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

Geometric optics, wave optics, properties of light and matter, optics of transformations, and quantum optics. Lecture and laboratory.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 4

A systematic development of foundations of quantum mechanics. Observables, operators, state functions, expectation values. Matrix formulation of eigenvalue problems. The hydrogen atom, electron spin, angular momentum, and perturbation theory.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

Numerical solutions of physics problems and computer simulations of physical systems. Lecture and laboratory.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

Fundamental principles of statistical physics, including theory of probability, kinetic theory of transport process, entropy, classical and quantum statistical ensembles, Bose and Fermi systems. Applications to thermodynamics and magnetic properties of solids.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

Experiments in modern physics, including solid-state physics and optics. Requires more independent work than introductory laboratories.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 4

Current methods of teaching all physical sciences with emphasis on physics and chemistry. For students planning to teach at a middle school, secondary school, college, or university. May not count as a physics elective.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 1-3

A course in an area of physics not regularly offered. Topic and credit assigned by department each time offered.

Prerequisites: none

600 Level

Credits: 2

Use of the library, electronic and machine shop practices, vacuum and cryogenic techniques, research interests of faculty.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

Mathematical methods necessary for advanced study in physics. Topic include functions of complex variables, calculus or residues, integral transforms and special functions.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

Variational calculus, Lagrangian mechanics, the motions of particles and rigid bodies, the dynamics of oscillating systems and Hamilton-Jacobi theory. Pre: PHYS 441 or equivalent

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

Bound state and scattering problems in one, two, and three dimensions. Approximation methods for stationary states. Time-independent and time-dependent perturbation theory. General formalism of quantum theory. Pre: PHYS 461 or equivalent

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

Electrostatics, magnetostatics, boundary-value problems, Green functions, time-varying fields, Maxwell equations, conservation laws. Pre: PHYS 448 or equivalent

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 1-4

A course in an area of physics not regularly offered. Topic and credit assigned by department each time offered.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 1-4

Special arrangements must be made with an appropriate faculty member or the department office. May be repeated for credit on each new topic.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 1

Students will attend research seminars presented by faculty in the department, or speakers from other institutions. Students also make and critique presentations made by themselves and other students. May be repeated for credit. Spring

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 1-2

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 1-6

V

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 1-2

Special arrangements must be made with an appropriate faculty member or the department office. May be repeated for credit on each new topic.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 1-8

Provides student the opportunity to gain expertise and experience in a special field under the supervision of a qualified person.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 1-6

V

Prerequisites: none