Apr 09, 2025  
2023-2024 Graduate Catalog 
    
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2023-2024 Graduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Physics, M.S.

Degree Requirements

The M.S. degree in physics is only available to students enrolled in the Ph.D. program in physics  at SMU. To earn the M.S. en route to the Ph.D, students must complete either 33 credit hours of approved graduate coursework or 30 credit hours of courses, including a research thesis. Every student’s degree plan must contain at least 18 credit hours of graduate-level work in physics, including a prescribed sequence of three courses (PHYS 6321 - Classical Mechanics ; PHYS 6335 - Quantum Mechanics I ; PHYS 7311 - Electromagnetic Theory I ). The remaining credit hours are chosen from additional elective courses and research courses. Students also must pass a comprehensive exam, or, if applicable, defend their thesis.

Physics Courses (18 Credit Hours Minimum)

Candidates choose a minimum of six courses from the following list of core courses and elective courses:

Core Courses

Elective Courses

Additional Elective Courses

A list of courses outside the department which have proven useful as physics electives can be found in the Physics Department Graduate Student Handbook.

Research Courses

Candidates who fulfill the minimum credit hour requirement in graduate physics courses and who conduct research as part of the degree can enroll in research courses under their adviser. Courses that are available to meet the needs of the student, in consultation with their adviser, are as follows:

Total: 30-33 Credit Hours