Bachelor of Arts/Master of Science in Physics, BA/MS

Overview

This degree involves a combination of graduate courses and a research thesis. Departmental research is focused in experimental and theoretical studies of condensed matter including magnetism, STM imaging, low-dimensional metals, organic superconductivity, energy technology, computational physics, biophysics, soft matter, dynamics of microbial groups, the dynamics of first-order phase transitions, and the behavior of granular materials.

This program is designed for students wishing to advance their knowledge in physics beyond the undergraduate level, and enables students to develop analytical, computational, and experimental skills in preparation for careers in physics, engineering, industry, finance, and education. Prior to the formal application, the student is expected to identify a faculty member who is willing to serve as their research advisor. 

Departmental Eligibility Requirements

The MS degree in physics is available to physics majors. Students interested in the Accelerated Degree Program in Physics should contact the undergraduate student advisor as early as possible in their undergraduate careers. All students must have an average GPA of 3.2, or higher, for courses taken toward the physics major.

Students are required to meet with the Physics Accelerated Degree Program advisor as a formal part of the admissions process. This meeting is intended to assist prospective students in assessing the appropriateness of the degree to their professional aspirations. The student applies to the MS program by completing the Online Application no later than May 1 of the junior year. Departmental decisions will be made by the end of March of the senior year. Please note that application deadlines differ for students who are graduating off cycle (either a semester early or late) or who have advanced standing; such students should contact Graduate Admissions for alternative dates.

Program of Study

The Physics ADP master’s degree program requires 10 course units.  Students must also complete a written thesis, based on original research. Typically, students will begin the research for their thesis no later than the fall of their senior year. Students conduct research working in close collaboration with faculty advisors and with doctoral students. Students should plan to work full time on their research both the summer before and the summer after their 5^th year.  On completion of the research, there is an oral defense of the research thesis.

After the defense is passed and revisions required by the Advisory Committee have been made, the thesis is submitted to the thesis advisor for final approval. Information regarding formatting and submitting the thesis to the Graduate School is located at www.clarku.edu/graduate-student-resources.

Students in this program typically take longer than the fifth year to complete the culminating requirement (i.e. thesis/master’s paper). Students must register as a non-resident if they do not complete the requirements in time for August degree conferral. Students have up to one year of non-residency status (fall and spring) to complete all requirements for the master’s degree.

Fees

Student pay a one-time program fee of $1,000 in the first semester of graduate study. Students also pay a $15 activity fee in the fall and spring semesters as well as a one-time enrollment fee of $100. Students are responsible for paying for housing, food, books, and other personal items.

Students in the Accelerated Degree Program are allowed one year of non-resident status after the fifth year presumably to complete research and the master’s thesis. Please note there is a $200 fee associated with the non-residency status registration. There is $500 lab fee, in addition to the non-resident fee for students conducting research in the labs.

There is a mandatory fee of $25 for ProQuest to provide the University with a copy of the thesis to be cataloged in Goddard Library.

Program Advisor

Students are required to meet with the designated degree advisor and have them sign the Accelerated Degree Program Advisor Form. The signed form confirms that the student and program advisor have discussed the requirements of the program. This form is also available on the Graduate Admissions website.

The Accelerated Degree Program advisor can be contacted through the Physics Department Office:

Barbara Capogrosso Sansone, Accelerated Degree Program Advisor
Room BP-230
Math/Physics Building
physics@clarku.edu
508-793-7169

Your academic advisor will be the faculty person with whom you are conducting your research.

Any students considering applying to the Accelerated Degree Program should read and understand the Accelerated Degree Program Policies and Procedures.