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Department of Physics (PHY) (PHS) (AST)

Master of Science
Admission, Retention, and Termination Standards
Degree Requirements - Plan A
Unspecified Content or Variable Credit Courses
PHY Course Descriptions
PHS Course Descriptions
AST Course Descriptions

Department of Physics website

Stanley Hirschi, Chairperson
Dow 203, (989) 774-3321

David H. Current, Ph.D., Condensed Matter Physics, Laser Spectroscopy, NMR
Joseph Finck, Ph.D., Nuclear Physics, Science Policy
Marco Fornari, Ph.D., Condensed Matter Physics, Ferroelectric Materials
James W. Gormley, M.S., Science Education
Stanley Hirschi, Ph.D., Theoretical Physics, Polymer Physics
Mihai Horoi, Ph.D., Nuclear Physics, Computational Physics
Didarul Qadir, Ph.D., Condensed Matter Physics, Glassy Thin Films
Koblar A. Jackson, Ph.D., Condensed Matter Physics, Clusters, Point Defects
Wayne Osborn, Ph.D., Observational Astronomy, Variable Stars
Frederick M. Phelps, Ph.D., Optics, Science Education
Valeri Petkov, Ph.D., Materials, X-ray Difraction
Andrzej Sieradzan, Ph.D., Atomic Physics, Laser Spectroscopy, Optics
Sudha Srinivas, Ph.D., Condensed Matter Physics, Clusters
Glen Williams, Ph.D., Astrophysics, Accretion Disks

The Central Michigan University Department of Physics offers the Master of Science in physics for students who are interested in careers in business, industry, and government as well as for those preparing to teach at the undergraduate level, or for those considering doctoral work in physics or a related area such as materials science or astronomy. Classes are small, and students have the opportunity for close supervision and individual attention. Graduate research assistantships and industrial internships are available in several research areas, in addition to the unrestricted graduate teaching assistantships and fellowships. In past years, most graduate students in the Department of Physics have received financial support.

Department faculty are active in the following areas of research: astrophysics, atomic physics, computational physics, condensed matter physics, nuclear physics, observational astronomy, and science education. Valuable collaborative research materials efforts exist with other CMU departments, local industries, and research centers at other universities. A biweekly seminar series brings experts with varied research interests to campus.

The department is housed in the Leon A. and Frances M. McDermott wing of the Dow Science Center. The laser laboratory is presently equipped to perform fluorescence lifetime studies and Doppler-limited spectroscopy. The polymer physics laboratory, part of CMU’s Polymeric Materials Science and Technology Institute, has equipment to measure rheological properties of polymer fluids and melts. The condensed matter laboratory is designed to study the electrical and optical properties of inorganic glassy thin films. The X-ray diffraction laboratory is equipped to study the structure of both crystalline and amorphous materials.  The Brooks Astronomical Observatory is equipped for photoelectric photometry, plate or film photography, and general visual observing. The department houses CMU's Center for High Performance Scientific Computing, currently a Beowulf cluster of Alpha-based workstations (40 processors). Support facilities include electronics and machine shops, both staffed by full-time technicians.
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Master of Science

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Admission, Retention, and Termination Standards
For admission to the physics graduate program, a bachelor’s degree in physics is required with a minimum grade point average in physics of 2.6. An applicant with minor deficiencies may be admitted with the understanding that course work in addition to the usual 30 hours may be required. Students from non-English speaking countries are required to demonstrate proficiency in English via the TOEFL exam. Applicants for graduate assistantships are strongly urged to submit GRE General and Physics scores. A maximum of 24 credits earned during non-degree status may be applied toward a graduate degree in Physics.

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Degree Requirements - Plan A
The requirements for the M.S. in physics are based on a core of twelve semester hours in advanced mechanics, electricity and magnetism, and quantum mechanics. Three hours of seminar are required, and six hours of credit are given for the thesis. In consultation with an advisor the student selects at least nine additional hours in areas of specific value to the student. The program is normally completed in two years. There is no qualifying examination, and no foreign language is required.

1. Courses in Physics (24-30 hours)

1. Required Courses: PHY 624, 634, 643, and 644.
2. Seminars: three hours of PHY 685.
3. Research: six hours of PHY 798.
4. Electives: three to nine hours of physics courses or AST 562 or 563.

2. Cognate courses (0-6 hours)
   Cognate courses may be chosen to meet the individual needs of the student, but must be in a discipline closely related to the area of specialization.
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Unspecified content or variable credit courses. Click here for additional information regarding these types of courses. The following courses offered through the department are of unspecified content or variable credit: PHS 563, 565, 590; PHY 578, 580, 685, 780, 790.
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