Department of Physics, University of Minnesota Duluth, 371 Marshall W. Alworth Hall, 1023 University Drive, Duluth, MN 55812 (218-726-7124; fax: 218-726-6942)
Requirements for this program are current for
Fall 2020
Length of program in credits:
30
This program requires summer semesters for timely completion.
Degree: Master of Science
Along with the program-specific requirements listed below, please read the
General Information section of
this
website for requirements that apply to all major fields.
The master of science program provides a grounding in the fundamentals of physics, combined with significant research involvement. The primary areas of research are computational physics, high-energy neutrino physics, experimental work in condensed-matter physics, and observational and theoretical work in physical limnology.
Program Delivery
via classroom (the majority of instruction is face-to-face)
Prerequisites for Admission
The preferred undergraduate GPA for admittance to the program
is 3.00.
An undergraduate degree in physics or the equivalent is required.
Other requirements to be completed before admission:
Three letters of recommendation are required. Applications that are completed by April 1 will receive full consideration
International applicants must submit score(s) from one of the following tests:
Courses may include 4000-level courses if appropriate and approved for graduate credit and may be drawn from related fields outside of physics. The overall plan of study and selection of specific elective courses must form a cohesive program and be approved by the DGS and the adviser.
Requires a minimum of 120 hours of total effort, and preparation of a written report for each project.
One Stop for tuition, course registration, financial aid, academic calendars, and more
PHYS 5090 - Physics Seminar
Credits:
1.0
[max 2.0]
Grading Basis:
A-F or Aud
Typically offered:
Every Spring
Preparation and presentation of oral reports on approved physics topics,
research projects, and journal articles.
prereq: Sr or grad student
PHYS 5501 - Advanced Classical Mechanics
Credits:
3.0
[max 3.0]
Grading Basis:
A-F or Aud
Typically offered:
Fall Odd Year
Hamiltonian and Lagrangian formulations for discrete systems, canonical transformations, nonlinear dynamics, and chaos theory.
prereq: 4001
PHYS 5511 - Electrodynamics
Credits:
3.0
[max 3.0]
Grading Basis:
A-F or Aud
Typically offered:
Spring Odd Year
Maxwell's equations, relativity and electrodynamics, radiation and scattering of electromagnetic waves, relativistic particles in electromagnetic fields, and radiation reaction.
prereq: 4011
Applications of numerical methods to problems in classical and quantum physics, emphasizing ordinary and partial differential equations. Computer modeling of physical systems and experimentation with simulations of physical systems.
prereq: 2021, 1 sem programming, Math 3280
PHYS 5053 - Data Analysis Methods in Physics
Credits:
3.0
[max 3.0]
Grading Basis:
A-F or Aud
Typically offered:
Fall Even Year
Problems of data analysis in the context of dynamical models. Emphasis will be placed on large datasets that arise in astrophysics, particle dynamics, physical oceanography and meteorology. (2 hr lect & 2 hr lab)
prereq: 2012 or 2015 or 2018 and 2016, 1 sem programming, lab or field experience beyond 2012/2015 and 2016
PHYS 5061 - Experimental Methods
Credits:
3.0
[max 3.0]
Grading Basis:
A-F or Aud
Typically offered:
Spring Odd Year
Instruction and practice in methods of experimental physics; microcomputer-based data acquisition; vacuum techniques.
prereq: 2033 and 3061
PHYS 8777 - Thesis Credits: Master's
Credits:
1.0
-18.0
[max 50.0]
Grading Basis:
No Grade
Typically offered:
Every Fall & Spring
(No description)
prereq: Max 18 cr per semester or summer; 10 cr total required (Plan A only)
PHYS 5501 - Advanced Classical Mechanics
Credits:
3.0
[max 3.0]
Grading Basis:
A-F or Aud
Typically offered:
Fall Odd Year
Hamiltonian and Lagrangian formulations for discrete systems, canonical transformations, nonlinear dynamics, and chaos theory.
prereq: 4001
PHYS 5511 - Electrodynamics
Credits:
3.0
[max 3.0]
Grading Basis:
A-F or Aud
Typically offered:
Spring Odd Year
Maxwell's equations, relativity and electrodynamics, radiation and scattering of electromagnetic waves, relativistic particles in electromagnetic fields, and radiation reaction.
prereq: 4011
Preparation and presentation of oral reports on approved physics topics,
research projects, and journal articles.
prereq: Sr or grad student
PHYS 5052 - Computational Methods in Physics
Credits:
3.0
[max 3.0]
Grading Basis:
A-F or Aud
Typically offered:
Fall Odd Year
Applications of numerical methods to problems in classical and quantum physics, emphasizing ordinary and partial differential equations. Computer modeling of physical systems and experimentation with simulations of physical systems.
prereq: 2021, 1 sem programming, Math 3280
PHYS 5053 - Data Analysis Methods in Physics
Credits:
3.0
[max 3.0]
Grading Basis:
A-F or Aud
Typically offered:
Fall Even Year
Problems of data analysis in the context of dynamical models. Emphasis will be placed on large datasets that arise in astrophysics, particle dynamics, physical oceanography and meteorology. (2 hr lect & 2 hr lab)
prereq: 2012 or 2015 or 2018 and 2016, 1 sem programming, lab or field experience beyond 2012/2015 and 2016
PHYS 5061 - Experimental Methods
Credits:
3.0
[max 3.0]
Grading Basis:
A-F or Aud
Typically offered:
Spring Odd Year
Instruction and practice in methods of experimental physics; microcomputer-based data acquisition; vacuum techniques.
prereq: 2033 and 3061
PHYS 5501 - Advanced Classical Mechanics
Credits:
3.0
[max 3.0]
Grading Basis:
A-F or Aud
Typically offered:
Fall Odd Year
Hamiltonian and Lagrangian formulations for discrete systems, canonical transformations, nonlinear dynamics, and chaos theory.
prereq: 4001
PHYS 5511 - Electrodynamics
Credits:
3.0
[max 3.0]
Grading Basis:
A-F or Aud
Typically offered:
Spring Odd Year
Maxwell's equations, relativity and electrodynamics, radiation and scattering of electromagnetic waves, relativistic particles in electromagnetic fields, and radiation reaction.
prereq: 4011
Preparation and presentation of oral reports on approved physics topics,
research projects, and journal articles.
prereq: Sr or grad student
PHYS 5052 - Computational Methods in Physics
Credits:
3.0
[max 3.0]
Grading Basis:
A-F or Aud
Typically offered:
Fall Odd Year
Applications of numerical methods to problems in classical and quantum physics, emphasizing ordinary and partial differential equations. Computer modeling of physical systems and experimentation with simulations of physical systems.
prereq: 2021, 1 sem programming, Math 3280
PHYS 5053 - Data Analysis Methods in Physics
Credits:
3.0
[max 3.0]
Grading Basis:
A-F or Aud
Typically offered:
Fall Even Year
Problems of data analysis in the context of dynamical models. Emphasis will be placed on large datasets that arise in astrophysics, particle dynamics, physical oceanography and meteorology. (2 hr lect & 2 hr lab)
prereq: 2012 or 2015 or 2018 and 2016, 1 sem programming, lab or field experience beyond 2012/2015 and 2016
PHYS 5061 - Experimental Methods
Credits:
3.0
[max 3.0]
Grading Basis:
A-F or Aud
Typically offered:
Spring Odd Year
Instruction and practice in methods of experimental physics; microcomputer-based data acquisition; vacuum techniques.
prereq: 2033 and 3061
