Master of Science (M.S.) Major in Physics (Thesis Science Minor Option)
Program Overview
A solid physics foundation combined with extensive, hands-on training in state-of-the art nanofabrication and characterization facilities prepares students for careers in the local high-tech industry, science education or advanced studies. Students are engaged in research and gain superior graduate education with individual faculty attention and mentoring.
Application Requirements
The items listed below are required for admission consideration for applicable semesters of entry during the current academic year. Submission instructions, additional details, and changes to admission requirements for semesters other than the current academic year can be found on The Graduate College's website. International students should review the International Admission Documents page for additional requirements.
- completed online application
- $55 nonrefundable application fee
or
- $90 nonrefundable application fee for applications with international credentials
- baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited university (Non-U.S. degrees must be equivalent to a four-year U.S. Bachelor’s degree. In most cases, three-year degrees are not considered. Visit our International FAQs for more information.)
- official transcripts from each institution where course credit was granted
- a 2.75 overall GPA or a 2.75 GPA in the last 60 hours of undergraduate course work (plus any completed graduate courses)
- minimum 3.0 GPA in junior and senior level physics courses in modern physics, mathematical physics or equivalent, classical mechanics, electromagnetic field theory, and quantum mechanics (Leveling courses may be required if student lacks sufficient background course work. Any required leveling course work must be completed with grades of B or better prior to admission.)
- GRE not required*
- resume/CV
- statement of purpose
- three letters of recommendation
Approved English Proficiency Exam Scores
Applicants are required to submit an approved English proficiency exam score that meets the minimum program requirements below unless they have earned a bachelor’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or the equivalent from a country on our exempt countries list.
- official TOEFL iBT scores required with a 78 overall
- official PTE scores required with a 52 overall
- official IELTS (academic) scores required with a 6.5 overall and minimum individual module scores of 6.0
- official Duolingo Scores required with a 110 overall
- official TOEFL Essentials scores required with an 8.5 overall
This program does not offer admission if the scores above are not met.
*Additional Information
If the physics GPA falls below the minimum requirement, the student may submit the following to be considered for conditional admission:
- official GRE (general test only) with competitive scores in the verbal reasoning and quantitative reasoning sections
Conditional admission is not available to applicants who require "F" or "J" visas.
Degree Requirements
The Master of Science (M.S.) degree with a major in Physics requires 39 semester credit hours, including a thesis. Students who do not have the appropriate background course work may be required to complete leveling courses.
Course Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| PHYS 5312 | ADVANCED QUANTUM MECHANICS | 3 |
| PHYS 5313 | Mathematical Methods of Physics | 3 |
| PHYS 5314 | Statistical Physics | 3 |
| PHYS 5331 | Electromagnetic Field Theory | 3 |
| Prescribed Electives | ||
| Choose 9 hours from the following: | 9 | |
| Seminar in Physics | ||
| Experimental Research Methods | ||
| Solid State Physics | ||
| Semiconductor Device Microfabrication | ||
| Thin Film Synthesis and Characterization Laboratory | ||
| Semiconductor Device Physics | ||
| Advanced Solid State Physics | ||
PHYS 5329 | ||
| Materials Characterization | ||
PHYS 5340 | ||
| Relativity | ||
| Physics Education Research: Teaching & Learning | ||
| Problems in Advanced Physics | ||
| Fundamentals of Research | ||
| Industry Internship | ||
| Electives | ||
| Choose 3 hours of advisor-approved electives | 3 | |
| Thesis | ||
| PHYS 5399A | Thesis | 3 |
| Choose a minimum of 3 hours from the following: | 3 | |
| Thesis | ||
| Thesis | ||
| Thesis | ||
| Thesis | ||
| Thesis | ||
| Minor | ||
| Choose a 9-hour advisor-approved science minor | 9 | |
| Total Hours | 39 | |
Comprehensive Examination Requirement
An oral thesis defense is required and will satisfy the comprehensive examination requirement. If the thesis committee is not satisfied with a graduate student’s oral defense, they will specify all deficiencies the student must resolve. Should the thesis committee decide to hold a second oral defense, the chair of the thesis committee shall not schedule the second defense until the student has resolved all specified deficiencies.
Students who do not successfully complete the requirements for the degree within the timelines specified will be dismissed from the program.
If a student elects to follow the thesis option for the degree, a committee to direct the written thesis will be established. The thesis must demonstrate the student’s capability for research and independent thought. Preparation of the thesis must be in conformity with the Graduate College Guide to Preparing and Submitting a Thesis or Dissertation.
Thesis Proposal
The student must submit an official Thesis Proposal Form and proposal to his or her thesis committee. Thesis proposals vary by department and discipline. Please see your department for proposal guidelines and requirements. After signing the form and obtaining committee members’ signatures, the graduate advisor’s signature if required by the program and the department chair’s signature, the student must submit the Thesis Proposal Form with one copy of the proposal attached to the dean of The Graduate College for approval before proceeding with research on the thesis. If the thesis research involves human subjects, the student must obtain exemption or approval from the Texas State Institutional Review Board prior to submitting the proposal form to The Graduate College. The IRB approval letter should be included with the proposal form. If the thesis research involves vertebrate animals, the proposal form must include the Texas State IACUC approval code. It is recommended that the thesis proposal form be submitted to the dean of The Graduate College by the end of the student’s enrollment in 5399A. Failure to submit the thesis proposal in a timely fashion may result in delayed graduation.
Thesis Committee
The thesis committee must be composed of a minimum of three approved graduate faculty members.
Thesis Enrollment and Credit
The completion of a minimum of six hours of thesis enrollment is required. For a student's initial thesis course enrollment, the student will need to register for thesis course number 5399A. After that, the student will enroll in thesis B courses, in each subsequent semester until the thesis is defended with the department and approved by The Graduate College. Preliminary discussions regarding the selection of a topic and assignment to a research supervisor will not require enrollment for the thesis course.
Students must be enrolled in thesis credits if they are receiving supervision and/or are using university resources related to their thesis work. The number of thesis credit hours students enroll in must reflect the amount of work being done on the thesis that semester. It is the responsibility of the committee chair to ensure that students are making adequate progress toward their degree throughout the thesis process. Failure to register for the thesis course during a term in which supervision is received may result in postponement of graduation. After initial enrollment in 5399A, the student will continue to enroll in a thesis B course as long as it takes to complete the thesis. Thesis projects are by definition original and individualized projects. As such, depending on the topic, methodology, and other factors, some projects may take longer than others to complete. If the thesis requires work beyond the minimum number of thesis credits needed for the degree, the student may enroll in additional thesis credits at the committee chair's discretion. In the rare case when a student has not previously enrolled in thesis and plans to work on and complete the thesis in one term, the student will enroll in both 5399A and 5399B.
The only grades assigned for thesis courses are PR (progress), CR (credit), W (withdrew), and F (failing). If acceptable progress is not being made in a thesis course, the instructor may issue a grade of F. If the student is making acceptable progress, a grade of PR is assigned until the thesis is completed. The minimum number of hours of thesis credit (“CR”) will be awarded only after the thesis has been both approved by The Graduate College and released to Alkek Library.
A student who has selected the thesis option must be registered for the thesis course during the term or Summer I (during the summer, the thesis course runs ten weeks for both sessions) in which the degree will be conferred.
Thesis Deadlines and Approval Process
Thesis deadlines are posted on The Graduate College website under "Current Students." The completed thesis must be submitted to the chair of the thesis committee on or before the deadlines listed on The Graduate College website.
The following must be submitted to The Graduate College by the thesis deadline listed on The Graduate College website:
- The Thesis Submission Approval Form bearing original (wet) and/or electronic signatures of the student and all committee members.
- One (1) PDF of the thesis in final form, approved by all committee members, uploaded in the online Vireo submission system.
After the dean of The Graduate College approves the thesis, Alkek Library will harvest the document from the Vireo submission system for publishing in the Digital Collections database (according to the student's embargo selection). NOTE: MFA Creative Writing theses will have a permanent embargo and will never be published to Digital Collections.
While original (wet) signatures are preferred, there may be situations as determined by the chair of the committee in which obtaining original signatures is inefficient or has the potential to delay the student's progress. In those situations, the following methods of signing are acceptable:
- signing and faxing the form
- signing, scanning, and emailing the form
- notifying the department in an email from their university's or institution's email account that the committee chair can sign the form on their behalf
- electronically signing the form using the university's licensed signature platform.
If this process results in more than one document with signatures, all documents need to be submitted to The Graduate College together.
No copies are required to be submitted to Alkek Library. However, the library will bind copies submitted that the student wants bound for personal use. Personal copies are not required to be printed on archival quality paper. The student will take the personal copies to Alkek Library and pay the binding fee for personal copies.
Master's level courses in Physics: PHYS
Courses Offered
Physics (PHYS)
PHYS 5100. Professional Development.
This course covers topics related to teaching, research, and employment responsibilities. The completion of this course is required as a condition of employment for graduate assistants. This course does not earn graduate degree credit. Courrse is repeatable with different emphasis.
1 Credit Hour. 1 Lecture Contact Hour. 0 Lab Contact Hours.Course Attribute(s): Exclude from 3-peat Processing|Graduate Assistantship|Exclude from Graduate GPA
Grade Mode: Leveling/Assistantships
PHYS 5110. Seminar in Physics.
A course designed to acquaint the graduate student with current research areas in physics. May be repeated twice for total of three semester hour’s credit.
1 Credit Hour. 1 Lecture Contact Hour. 0 Lab Contact Hours.Grade Mode: Standard Letter
PHYS 5199B. Thesis.
This course represents a student’s continuing thesis enrollments. The student continues to enroll in this course until the thesis is submitted for binding.
1 Credit Hour. 1 Lecture Contact Hour. 0 Lab Contact Hours.Grade Mode: Credit/No Credit
PHYS 5200. Professional Development.
This course covers topics related to teaching, research, and employment rights and responsibilities. It provides a brief background on teaching and learning theories and consists of organized practice teaching. Completion is required as a condition of employment for graduate instructional and teaching assistants. This course does not earn graduate degree credit.
2 Credit Hours. 2 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.Course Attribute(s): Graduate Assistantship|Exclude from Graduate GPA
Grade Mode: Leveling/Assistantships
PHYS 5299B. Thesis.
This course represents a student’s continuing thesis enrollments. The student continues to enroll in this course until the thesis is submitted for binding.
2 Credit Hours. 2 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.Grade Mode: Credit/No Credit
PHYS 5302. Electricity and Magnetism.
An introduction to the electromagnetic field theory of classical physics for static fields. Topics included will be the electrostatic field, polarization and dielectrics, electrostatic energy, magnetic field of steady currents, magneto static energy, and magnetic properties of matter. This is a graduate leveling course in Electricity and Magnetism (stacked with PHYS 4310). This course does not earn graduate degree credit.
3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.Course Attribute(s): Exclude from Graduate GPA|Leveling
Grade Mode: Leveling/Assistantships
PHYS 5303. Quantum Mechanics.
This course is an introduction to quantum mechanics. Topics include mathematical foundations, fundamental postulates, time development, and one dimensional problems. This is a graduate leveling course in Quantum Mechanics (stacked with PHYS 4312). This course does not earn graduate degree credit.
3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.Course Attribute(s): Exclude from Graduate GPA|Leveling
Grade Mode: Leveling/Assistantships
PHYS 5304. Experimental Research Methods.
This is a laboratory based course introducing experimental methods used in physics research with emphasis on quantum effects through materials synthesis and characterization methods. The specific experiments are chosen by department faculty on topics of current research interests. The students are exposed to different research topics through laboratory rotations. Prerequisite: Instructor approval. Corequisite: PHYS 5314 with a grade of "C" or better.
3 Credit Hours. 1 Lecture Contact Hour. 3 Lab Contact Hours.Grade Mode: Standard Letter
PHYS 5312. Advanced Quantum Mechanics.
This course is a study of quantum mechanics including combination of two or more quantum mechanical systems, addition of angular momentum, time independent perturbation theory, and time dependent perturbation theory.
3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.Grade Mode: Standard Letter
PHYS 5313. Mathematical Methods of Physics.
This course is a survey of mathematical methods of physics at the graduate level focusing on complex analysis of analytic functions (Laurent expansions and evaluation of residues) and methods of solving both ordinary and partial differential equations (Frobenius' method and Sturm-Liouville theory) with applications to mechanics and electromagnetic theory.
3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.Grade Mode: Standard Letter
PHYS 5314. Statistical Physics.
This course is an introduction to the laws of statistical physics and their application to realistic problems at the graduate level. The topics include a brief review of equilibrium thermodynamics, Boltzmann and Gibbs distribution, Fermi-Dirac and Bose-Einstein statistics, derivation of Planck's Law and black-body radiation, and heat capacity of solids.
3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.Grade Mode: Standard Letter
PHYS 5320. Solid State Physics.
This is an introductory course at the graduate level intended for students who have not had a previous course in Solid State Physics. Topics covered include crystal structure, the reciprocal lattice, x-ray diffraction, lattice vibrations, electronic band structure, and optical, transport and magnetic properties of metals and semiconductors including applications. Prerequisite: PHYS 5312 with a grade of "C" or better.
3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.Grade Mode: Standard Letter
PHYS 5322. Semiconductor Device Microfabrication.
This experimental methods course provides an in-depth overview of the physics and technology of semiconductor device micro and nano fabrication. Topics include materials used in electronic devices, thin film deposition, wet and dry etching, lithography processing, and topics relevant to semiconductor research and devices. Fabrication and characterization techniques will be covered. Corequisite: PHYS 5312 with a grade of "C" or better.
3 Credit Hours. 2 Lecture Contact Hours. 1 Lab Contact Hour.Grade Mode: Standard Letter
PHYS 5324. Thin Film Synthesis and Characterization Laboratory.
This advanced experimental course is designed as a research group project experience with emphasis on nanoscale device fabrication. All projects are conducted in university facilities with state-of-the-art thin film growth, processing, and characterization facilities. Prerequisite: PHYS 5322 with a grade of "C" or better. Corequisites: PHYS 5312 with a grade of "C" or better.
3 Credit Hours. 0 Lecture Contact Hours. 9 Lab Contact Hours.Grade Mode: Standard Letter
PHYS 5327. Semiconductor Device Physics.
This course demonstrates how solid state physics applies to describing important examples of thin film device operation with emphasis on semiconductor devices. Additional topics may include photon and phonon effects on electronic properties, quantum phenomena, many body effects in solids, carrier transport properties, micro-electromechanical systems, and materials interface issues. Corequisite: PHYS 5314 with a grade of "C" or better.
3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.Grade Mode: Standard Letter
PHYS 5328. Advanced Solid State Physics.
Review of models of a solid and energy band theory. Additional topics may include interaction of electromagnetic waves with solids, lattice vibrations and phonons, many body effects in solids, device physics, quantum phenomena, carrier transport properties, current device configurations, and materials interface problems. Prerequisite: PHYS 5320 with a grade of "C" or better.
3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.Grade Mode: Standard Letter
PHYS 5331. Electromagnetic Field Theory.
This course is an introduction to electrodynamics at the graduate level using rigorous mathematical formulation. Topics include methods of solving problems in electrostatics and magnetostatics, boundary value problems and Green’s Functions, fields in media, and Maxwell’s Equations and time varying fields.
3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.Grade Mode: Standard Letter
PHYS 5332. Materials Characterization.
This course covers skills and knowledge required for microscopy methods including optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, scanning tunneling electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and confocal microscopy. Topics covered include x-ray and neutron diffraction techniques including structure analysis, powder and glancing angle diffraction, pole figure, texture analysis, and small angle scattering. Prerequisite: PHYS 5312 with a grade of "C" or better.
3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 1 Lab Contact Hour.Course Attribute(s): Dif Tui- Science & Engineering
Grade Mode: Standard Letter
PHYS 5334. Relativity.
This course includes a review of special relativity, an introduction to the mathematics of tensor calculus and differential geometry, and such topics from general relativity as the Schwarzschild solution and black holes, tests of general relativity, cosmological models, and applications of relativity in the global positioning system (GPS).
3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.Grade Mode: Standard Letter
PHYS 5350F. Astrophysics.
This course surveys a variety of issues in astrophysics through problem solving, quantitative measurements, and theoretical reasoning. Topics include celestial mechanics, stellar structure and evolution, star formation, and supernova remnants.
3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.Course Attribute(s): Exclude from 3-peat Processing|Topics
Grade Mode: Standard Letter
PHYS 5350G. Electrical and Magnetic Characterization Methods.
This course introduces electric and magnetic characterization methods important to metals, magnetic and semiconductor materials and devices. Various measurement techniques and methods will be reviewed. Students will learn to work with characterization tools.
3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.Course Attribute(s): Exclude from 3-peat Processing|Topics
Grade Mode: Standard Letter
PHYS 5350H. Astronomical Spectroscopy.
A lecture course introducing students to spectroscopy in astronomy, with particular emphasis on molecular spectroscopy. The course will cover a broad range of aspects including the development of spectroscopy in astronomy, the theory of atomic and molecular spectra, spectra in different astrophysical environments, instrumentation and data reduction. Prerequisite: Instructor approval.
3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.Course Attribute(s): Exclude from 3-peat Processing|Topics
Grade Mode: Standard Letter
PHYS 5350I. Advanced Computational Methods for Physics.
In this course students will learn and practice the Python computer language along with several of its scientific modules to model, visualize & analyze complex physical systems that cannot be described by mathematical equations with analytical solution. Special attention will be paid to programming techniques for data manipulation & analysis of large amounts of data residing in multiple data sets. The Python implementation of the (free) Anaconda distribution will be utilized. No previous knowledge of Python or programming required since a basic training will be provided in the first lectures, which will serve as an introduction or refresher for students.
3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.Course Attribute(s): Exclude from 3-peat Processing|Topics
Grade Mode: Standard Letter
PHYS 5350J. Optical Materials and Characterization Methods.
This course is an introduction to optical properties of solids including electronic and vibrational transitions in inorganic and organic thin films and multilayers. Various optical characterization methods and techniques will be reviewed including Raman, FTIR, Photoluminescence, and X-ray Fluorescence spectroscopy. Students will learn to work with those characterization methods and learn how to interpret the various spectra.
3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 1 Lab Contact Hour.Course Attribute(s): Exclude from 3-peat Processing|Topics
Grade Mode: Standard Letter
PHYS 5360. Physics Education Research: Teaching & Learning.
This course is an introduction to pedagogical issues in physics, including their related philosophical analysis and empirical research studies on student learning. Students will be guided to read, analyze, and present existing scholarly research that justifies approaching certain physics topics from particular perspectives and with particular instructional methods.The course is appropriate for future researchers in physics education and future physics teachers at secondary and post-secondary levels.
3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.Course Attribute(s): Dif Tui- Science & Engineering
Grade Mode: Standard Letter
PHYS 5370. Problems in Advanced Physics.
Open to graduate students on an individual basis by arrangement with the Department of Physics. May be repeated with prior approval of the department. Prerequisite: Instructor approval.
3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.Course Attribute(s): Exclude from 3-peat Processing
Grade Mode: Standard Letter
PHYS 5395. Fundamentals of Research.
Course is available to graduate students only at the invitation of the department. May be repeated with prior approval of the department. Prerequisite: Instructor approval.
3 Credit Hours. 0 Lecture Contact Hours. 6 Lab Contact Hours.Course Attribute(s): Exclude from 3-peat Processing
Grade Mode: Standard Letter
PHYS 5398. Industry Internship.
Supervised work experience in an appropriate high tech industry. Students will be required to keep a daily journal and make a final presentation (both written and oral) describing their accomplishments.
3 Credit Hours. 0 Lecture Contact Hours. 40 Lab Contact Hours.Grade Mode: Credit/No Credit
PHYS 5399A. Thesis.
This course represents a student’s initial thesis enrollment. No thesis credit is awarded until student has completed the thesis in PHYS 5399B.
3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.Grade Mode: Credit/No Credit
PHYS 5399B. Thesis.
This course represents a student’s continuing thesis enrollments. The student continues to enroll in this course until the thesis is submitted for binding. Graded on a credit (CR), progress (PR), no-credit (F) basis.
3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.Grade Mode: Credit/No Credit
PHYS 5599B. Thesis.
This course represents a student’s continuing thesis enrollments. The student continues to enroll in this course until the thesis is submitted for binding.
5 Credit Hours. 5 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.Grade Mode: Credit/No Credit
PHYS 5999B. Thesis.
This course represents a student’s continuing thesis enrollments. The student continues to enroll in this course until the thesis is submitted for binding.
9 Credit Hours. 9 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.Grade Mode: Credit/No Credit
