The Applied Physics program offers 25+ courses in a wide range of topics. These include courses in foundational physics graduate level education and electives that branch out into topics including quantum systems, earth and space science, and other subjects that are critical to addressing world-leading problems. Students can also take electives in other related AP programs including Electrical and Computer Engineering, Materials Science, and Space Systems Engineering.
Concentrations are offered in either Materials and Condensed Matter or Photonics. A Concentration can be selected but is not required.
Admission Requirements
Applicants (degree seeking and special student) must meet the general requirements for admission to a graduate program of study, as outlined in the Admission Requirements section. The applicant’s prior education must include the following courses:
- mathematics through vector analysis and ordinary differential equations;
- general physics;
- modern physics;
- intermediate mechanics; and
- intermediate electricity and magnetism.
Applicants whose prior education does not include the courses listed above may still enroll under conditional status, followed by full admission status once they have completed the conditional requirements. Conditional courses will be selected from the suite of Applied Physics graduate course offerings and once satisfactorily completed count towards the student’s degree. Admitted students typically have earned a grade point average of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (B or above) in their undergraduate studies. Official transcripts from all college studies must be submitted. When reviewing an application, the candidate’s academic and professional background will be considered. A résumé is optional.
The intermediate mechanics and intermediate electricity and magnetism requirements may be waived if the applicant has an exceptional academic record and a strong background in mathematics.
Program Requirements
Ten courses must be completed within five years. Students not applying for a concentration must follow a curriculum that consists of four Applied Physics core courses and six electives. At least four of the courses must be in Applied Physics at the 700-level or higher. An Applied Physics elective may be substituted for a required course if the student has previously completed an equivalent graduate-level course. Only one C-range grade (C+, C, or C–) can count toward the master’s degree. All course selections outside of the Applied Physics core, elective, and/or the relevant concentration course requirements below are subject to advisor approval.
Courses
Core Courses
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Four Core courses are required. At least three must be from the first six: | Credits | |
| EN.615.641 | Mathematical Methods for Physics and Engineering | 3 |
| EN.615.642 | Electromagnetics | 3 |
| EN.615.651 | Statistical Mechanics and Thermodynamics | 3 |
| EN.615.653 | Classical Mechanics | 3 |
| EN.615.654 | Quantum Mechanics | 3 |
| EN.615.665 | Modern Physics | 3 |
| EN.615.671 | Principles Of Optics | 3 |
| EN.615.680 | Materials Science | 3 |
Electives
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select six of the following: 1 | Credits | |
| EN.615.611 | Classical Physics | 3 |
| EN.615.647 | Fundamentals of Sensors | 3 |
| EN.615.648 | Alternate Energy Technology | 3 |
| EN.615.662 | Introduction to Astrophysics | 3 |
| EN.615.731 | Photovoltaic & Solar Thermal Energy Conversion | 3 |
| EN.615.744 | Physics of Space Systems I | 3 |
| EN.615.745 | Physics of Space Systems II | 3 |
| EN.615.747 | Sensors and Sensor Systems | 3 |
| EN.615.748 | Introduction to Relativity | 3 |
| EN.615.751 | Modern Optics | 3 |
| EN.615.755 | Space Physics | 3 |
| EN.615.757 | Solid State Physics | 3 |
| EN.615.761 | Intro To Oceanography | 3 |
| EN.615.762 | Applied Computational Electromagnetics | 3 |
| EN.615.765 | Chaos and Its Applications | 3 |
| EN.615.769 | Physics of Remote Sensing | 3 |
| EN.615.772 | Cosmology | 3 |
| EN.615.775 | Physics of Climate | 3 |
| EN.615.778 | Optical System Design and Modelling | 3 |
| EN.615.780 | Optical Detectors & Applications | 3 |
| EN.615.781 | Quantum Information Processing | 3 |
| EN.615.782 | Optics and Matlab | 3 |
| EN.615.800 | Applied Physics Project | 3 |
| EN.615.802 | Directed Studies in Applied Physics | 3 |
| EN.535.614 | Fundamentals of Acoustics | 3 |
| EN.675.613 | The Bold Science Motivating and Enabled by our Engineering | 3 |
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Up to two courses may be selected with advisor approval from the following programs: Applied and Computational Mathematics, Computer Science, or Electrical and Computer Engineering.
Concentrations
A Concentration can be selected but is not required.
Concentrations are noted on the student’s transcript.
Materials and Condensed Matter
Students can elect to concentrate their studies in materials and condensed matter by completing a combination of courses from the Applied Physics (615.xxx), Electrical and Computer Engineering (525.xxx), and Materials Science and Engineering (515.xxx) programs. Four Applied Physics core courses are required. Of the remaining six courses, four or more must be 700 level materials and condensed matter courses selected from the Applied Physics (615.xxx), Electrical and Computer Engineering (525.xxx), and Materials Science and Engineering (515.xxx) programs. The remaining two electives can be from Applied Physics or other EP program. All course selections are subject to advisor approval.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses | Credits | |
| EN.615.641 | Mathematical Methods for Physics and Engineering | 3 |
| EN.615.642 | Electromagnetics | 3 |
| EN.615.651 | Statistical Mechanics and Thermodynamics | 3 |
| EN.615.680 | Materials Science | 3 |
| Materials and Condensed Matter Electives | Credits | |
| Select at least four of the following: | ||
| EN.615.647 | Fundamentals of Sensors | 3 |
| EN.615.747 | Sensors and Sensor Systems | 3 |
| EN.615.757 | Solid State Physics | 3 |
| EN.615.800 | Applied Physics Project 1 | 3 |
| EN.615.802 | Directed Studies in Applied Physics 1 | 3 |
| EN.515.617 | Nanomaterials | 3 |
| EN.515.635 | Mechanical Properties of Materials | 3 |
| EN.525.606 | Electronic Materials | 3 |
| EN.525.621 | Introduction to Electronics and the Solid State | 3 |
| EN.535.684 | Modern Polymeric Materials | 3 |
| EN.535.732 | Fatigue and Fracture of Materials | 3 |
| EN.535.748 | Stress Waves, Impacts and Shockwaves | 3 |
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EN.615.800 Applied Physics Project and EN.615.802 Directed Studies in Applied Physics can also be used to allow the student to pursue specialized interests in materials science and condensed matter.
Photonics
Four Applied Physics core courses (EN.615.xxx), one Electrical and Computer Engineering core course (EN.525.xxx), three Photonics electives (700 level), and two electives from Applied Physics or another EP program must be completed.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses (Applied Physics) | Credits | |
| Select four of the following: | ||
| EN.615.641 | Mathematical Methods for Physics and Engineering | 3 |
| EN.615.642 | Electromagnetics | 3 |
| EN.615.653 | Classical Mechanics | 3 |
| EN.615.654 | Quantum Mechanics | 3 |
| EN.615.665 | Modern Physics | 3 |
| EN.615.671 | Principles Of Optics | 3 |
| Core Courses (Electrical and Computer Engineering) | ||
| Select one of the following: | ||
| EN.525.613 | Fourier Techniques in Optics | 3 |
| EN.525.625 | Laser Fundamentals | 3 |
| EN.525.691 | Fundamentals of Photonics | 3 |
| Photonics Electives | Credits | |
| Select at least three of the following: | ||
| EN.615.751 | Modern Optics | 3 |
| EN.615.778 | Optical System Design and Modelling | 3 |
| EN.615.780 | Optical Detectors & Applications | 3 |
| EN.615.781 | Quantum Information Processing | 3 |
| EN.615.782 | Optics and Matlab | 3 |
| EN.615.800 | Applied Physics Project 1 | 3 |
| EN.615.802 | Directed Studies in Applied Physics 1 | 3 |
| EN.525.613 | Fourier Techniques in Optics | 3 |
| EN.525.625 | Laser Fundamentals | 3 |
| EN.525.636 | Optics & Photonics Lab | 3 |
| EN.525.691 | Fundamentals of Photonics | 3 |
| EN.525.753 | Laser Systems and Applications | 3 |
| EN.525.756 | Optical Propagation, Sensing, and Backgrounds | 3 |
| EN.525.772 | Fiber-Optic Communication Systems | 3 |
| EN.525.796 | Introduction to High-Speed Optoelectronics | 3 |
| EN.525.797 | Advanced Fiber Optic Laboratory | 3 |
| EN.585.734 | Biophotonics | 3 |
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EN.615.800 Applied Physics Project and EN.615.802 Directed Studies in Applied Physics can also be used to allow the student to pursue specialized interests in optics.
Please refer to the course schedule published each term for exact dates, times, locations, fees, and instructors.