Information and Policies
Introduction
The five-year combined Bachelor's/Master's degree physics program provides undergraduate students the opportunity to earn a Master of Science (M.S.) degree in five years. Students are able to start their graduate coursework in their junior year and can use up to two elective requirements between degrees. This program is designed for students who intend to go into industry upon graduation and is not well-suited for those who ultimately want to obtain a Ph.D. in physics. The Combined B.S./MS. has a two-stage application, one at the departmental level (due second quarter of junior year) and then another at the graduate program level (due first quarter of senior year). Upon successful completion of their undergraduate requirements students are awarded their B.S. in Physics, and providing that they still meet the relevant criteria, may continue into the M.S. program. In order to be awarded the M.S. students finish any remaining M.S. coursework and then defend their M.S. thesis.
Requirements for taking graduate courses:
Students enrolling in PHYS 210, PHYS 212, or PHYS 215 must earn a B or better in the related undergraduate course as a prerequisite. For example, for a student to take PHYS 210 in their senior year they must acquire a grade of B or better in PHYS 105.
Graduate courses taken while registered as an undergraduate must be taken for a letter grade.
Departmental Admission Requirements:
-
3.3 GPA overall and within physics
-
Two letters of recommendation (at least one from a physics faculty member)
-
Departmental Application
-
Statement of Purpose. This statement should explain your interest in the BS./M.S. program and your proposed research topic.
-
Due by the end of the second quarter of junior year
Graduate Program Requirements:
-
3.0 GPA overall and within physics
-
Successful completion of PHYS 139A, taken for a letter grade and completed with a B or better, even if not required for the undergraduate degree
-
Three letters of recommendation (two from physics faculty, one from research adviser)
-
Unofficial transcripts
-
Statement of Purpose
-
Due by the end of the first quarter of their senior year.
Letters of recommendation for departmental admission requirements can overlap with letters of recommendation for graduate program requirements.