Applied Physics, Master of Science

In addition to University Requirements:

• Complete individual plan requirements.

Minimum Units for Completion	30
Additional Admission Requirements	Individual program admission requirements over and above admission to NAU are required.
Fieldwork Experience/Internship	Optional
Thesis	Thesis may be required by chosen emphasis or offered as an option.
Comprehensive Exam	Comprehensive Exam may be required by chosen emphasis or offered as an option.
Research	Individualized research may be required by chosen emphasis or offered as an option.
Progression Plan Link	View Program of Study

Purpose Statement

The Department of Physics and Astronomy offers a two-year master's degree that provides a strong core of applied physics as well as essential research skills, and prepares students for employment in high-technology industries, research institutes, or further academic study in physics. The program is designed to train students in laboratory skills, providing them with computational and computer modeling expertise, developing their competencies in the use and design of modern instrumentation, and providing them with a basic foundation in physics. There are both thesis and coursework options available. These plans can be interdisciplinary, integrating a broad range of subject areas to enhance opportunities in research or the private sector.

Student Learning Outcomes
Students will achieve the following learning outcomes:

• Enhanced Understanding and Application of the Laws of Physics with a special emphasis on experimentation and computational methods.  Areas of enhancement:
  • spectroscopy
  • optics
  • computational methods
  • microscopic structure of matter
  • statistical physics
  • instrumentation 
• Written and Oral Communication Skills: clearly communicate and defend original ideas and research in verbal, written, and visual formats to scientific and non-scientific audiences.
• Problem Solving Skills:
  • interpret experimental data and derive useful information from that data
  • solve physical problems via numerical computation
  • utilize specialized instrumentation to perform experimentation on physical systems
  • apply knowledge of physical theory to design appropriate experiments 
• General Physics Thesis Track: Design, pursue, and complete an original research project that contributes to the field of physics.  Through the thesis experience students will:
  • design with the guidance of a thesis advisor an original and significant research project
  • conduct a literature review of the topic
  • apply appropriate theories of physics and laboratory tools to the research project
  • analyze, interpret, and explain findings of the research project
  • synthesize and present the relevance of the project in both technical and non-technical terms
  • write a thesis
  • clearly present  and defend the research project in front of a community of physics faculty and peers 
• General Physics Coursework Track: Through this coursework students will demonstrate a deeper mastery in their chosen areas of study, including:
  • computational, optical, and materials physics.
  • a range of experimental laboratory techniques
  • computational methods in physics

Additional Admission Requirements

• Individual program admission requirements over and above admission to NAU are required.

• The NAU graduate online application is required for all programs. Admission to many graduate programs is on a competitive basis, and programs may have higher standards than those established by the Graduate College.
  
  Admission requirements include the following:

  • Transcripts.
  • Undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited institution with a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale ("A" = 4.0), or the equivalent.

  
  Visit the NAU Graduate Admissions website for additional information about graduate school application deadlines, eligibility for study, and admissions policies.
  
  Ready to apply? Begin your application now.

  International applicants have additional admission requirements. Please see the International Graduate Admissions Policy.

• • GRE® Revised General Test

• • Three letters of recommendation
  • Personal statement or essay

Master's Requirements

• Take the following 30 units:

  • PHY 530, PHY 540, PHY 545, PHY 550, PHY 560, PHY 581 (18 units)
  Select Thesis or Coursework option:

• • Thesis Option (12 units):

    • PHY 685  You may take more than 3 units of PHY 685 but only 6 units will count toward your degree. (3-6 units)
    • PHY 699  You must enroll in PHY 699 each semester while performing thesis work but only 6 units will count toward your degree  (3-6 units)
    • Electives in any science, mathematics, engineering, or other field that's appropriate to your career goals, with your advisor's approval.  These must be formal, graded coursework.  Up to 6 units may be at the 400-level, and the remainder must be at the 500- or 600-level. (0-6 units)
    Please be aware that university Graduate Assistants must be enrolled for a minimum of nine hours each semester.
     
    Coursework Option (12 units):
    • Electives in any science, mathematics, engineering, or other field that's appropriate to your career goals, with your advisor's approval.  These must be formal, graded coursework.  Up to 6 units may be at the 400-level, and the remainder must be at the 500- or 600-level. (12 units)
    • A comprehensive oral exam
    Please be aware that university Graduate Assistants must be enrolled for a minimum of nine hours each semester.

• Be aware that some courses may have prerequisites that you must also successfully complete. For prerequisite information, click on the course or see your advisor.

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