GRADUATE PHYSICS STUDY PLAN GUIDE
The requirements for a student with a BS in physics or related subject to enter the Fullerton Masters Degree program in physics are: a GPA of 2.5 or higher in the last 60 semester units attempted (90 quarter units) and a 2.75 GPA or greater in the major. If the undergraduate degree was not in physics the student will usually be required to have taken at least 9 units of upper division physics. The GPA in the major (last 60 units) must be 3.0 or higher. A working knowledge of mechanics, special relativity, quantum mechanics and E&M is required for the graduate program.Physics GRE is required, 3 letters of recommendation and a 500 word statement of purpose, see the admissions.doc for further details for international students.
Once you have been accepted into the MS program and before you have completed 9 units of graduate course work you will be required to submit a study plan. This is worked out between the student and the graduate advisor who is currently Dr Heidi Fearn in MH 659. Make an appointment with Sheree Traub in the physics dept. office !
Students should always consult the CSU Catalog for the latest information. This is just a guideline.
Get a copy of the graduate handbook for physics available online
From the graduate advisors webpage;
or the new page
.
PLAN A: EXAM Option
Core course required are;
PHYS 510 mathematical physics
PHYS 520 mechanics
PHYS 530A Electromagnetism I
PHYS 555A Quantum mechanics I
And 2 of the following;
PHYS 530B Electromagnetism II,
PHYS 555B Quantum mechanics IIor PHYS 416 thermodynamics and statistical mechanics (if not taken as undergrad.)
Each of these courses are 3 units. You are required to take 30 units total leaving you with 12 units of electives. You may take 400-level courses from physics, maths, electrical engineering, computer science
or any other science discipline so long as you have NOT already used the same course for undergraduate credit. You may also take independent study PHYS 599 up to 6 units. Suggested courses are PHYS 416 thermodynamics and statistical mechanics, PHYS 411 optics and possibly a PHYS 599 course or two.
The comprehensive examconsist of three parts; you must pass all 3 before you can graduate. The exam is usually taken at the last semester of your studies. Each section of the exam is2 hours in duration (usually taken one a day back-to-back).
Exam I: mechanics and simple math related to mechanics based on 520 work
Exam II: Electromagnetism and simpler questions related to 530A.
Exam III: Quantum mechanics and general physics. The QM is based on 555A work and the general physics is usually related to simple optics, special relativity and basic mechanics at the GRE level.
PLAN B and C THESIS and PROJECT Option
Core course required are;
PHYS 510 mathematical physics
PHYS 520 mechanics
PHYS 530A Electromagnetism I
PHYS 555A Quantum mechanics I
Plus one of (530B, 555B or 416).
PHYS 599 Independent Study 3 units
PHYS 597 Project (1 unit min, up to 3 units) OR
PHYS 598 Thesis (1 units min, up to 6 units)
This option also requires a total of 30 units but now you have fewer electives, a total of 8-11 units depending on how many you take for 597 or 598. The catalog allows 6 units of thesis but this is not recommended. If you chose 416 above then you may take 530B and 555B as electives if you wish. Recommended courses are the same as for Plan A.
For a project or thesis you are required to ask permission from a faculty member to work on a project/ thesis under his/her supervision. The faculty member is under NO OBLIGATION to say yes! Once you have been accepted by a faculty member, together you choose one (or two) other faculty members to serve on your project (thesis) committee. You must keep both (all three)members of your project (thesis) committee informed of your progress throughout the work. Do not “spring” a completed project/ thesis upon the committee members. They will not appreciate having to read your typed work at the last minute! and you may have corrections and additions to make.
Get in touch with the graduate advisor and let him/her know of your plans. File a project/thesis report at the start of your work, this form is available from the graduate advisor. Get approval from ALL members of your committee. If your project/thesis advisor is someone off campus, you need to keep them informed as well as the CSUF faculty. The off-campus committee member will be an additional member of the committee, meaning that for the project you will have
3 members in total, and for the thesis you will now have 4 total committee members.
For the thesis option only; make sure you contact thethesis reader in the graduate studies office MH103 early on to make sure you are preparing the thesis in the correct format. Do not use color or boldface it is not allowed. Get the thesis handbook which tells you about formatting from the graduate studies office or online, see the graduate handbook for links to all the necessary forms, available online at .
You most likely will have to make corrections, in both form and substance before final acceptance. Give yourproject/thesis committee at least a month to look over your work and make comments. YOU are responsible for getting your project/thesis done on time. Find out the project/thesis deadline and work to a schedule. Remember for the project you need to use AJP format for your paper (if you do not publish your work) and you need to give an hour presentation in powerpoint to your CSUF committee members. Make sure you schedule this presentation well in advance at a time convenient to all the committee members. You should submit your work in hard copy and on cdrom,including the powerpoint presentation for the project people.