Graduate Degree Program

For questions about Physics graduate programs, please contact us at:

physicsgrad@txstate.edu

About the Physics Graduate Programs at Texas State

The Department of Physics at Texas State University offers the following degree options:

• Physics, M.S., Thesis Option - The standard program that leads to a 30-hour Master of Science degree.

The Physics Department offers an especially strong opportunity for thesis research in experimental solid state, materials physics and physics education research.

Program Requirements

• Physics, M.S., Non-thesis Option - The 36-hour Master of Science degree program without a thesis is also available. This optional program requires six hours of course work in lieu of the thesis and six hours of additional course work in physics.

Program Requirements

• Materials Physics, M.S. - The Materials Physics M.S. is a thesis only degree which stresses experimental materials physics primarily related to the semiconductor and other high tech materials industries.

Program Requirements

Please note, no new applications for the M.S. Materials Physics program are being accepted as this will convert to a M.S. Physics degree with a concentration in Materials Physics effective Spring 2018.

Why choose Texas State?

The physics graduate program trains students in advanced physics through a rigorous curriculum that includes:

• Core Physics subjects: Statistical Physics, Quantum Mechanics, Electromagnetic Field Theory
• Advanced hands-on courses focused on materials characterization and device fabrication integrated into cutting-edge research projects that train students to work in interdisciplinary teams, require the student to master the complex metrology of the field, and provide students the confidence and leadership skills for any professional career.
• Thesis work based on competitive and relevant research
• Professional development with an emphasis on developing abilities such as teamwork, project organization, presentation and technical writing skills, and global and cultural awareness.

Students that graduate with a Master’s degree in Physics or Materials Physics can find careers as engineers in the high-tech and semiconductor industry at the local or national level, in K-14 physics education, or pursue advanced degrees. Master’s degree graduates have the option to continue in an innovative, multidisciplinary Ph.D. program in Materials Science, Engineering, and Commercialization (MSEC) offered at Texas State University. For more information, see http://www.msec.txstate.edu/.

Research

Research is an important component of our graduate program.  Our faculty & facilities allow specialization including, but not limited to, the following areas:

• Solid state and materials physics

The department has a strong research focus on materials physics and nanotechnology with applications in semiconductor and oxide optoelectronic devices, solar cells and energy harvesting.

• Physics Education Research (PER)

The PER group focuses on embodied and participationist models of learning, including gesture, conceptual metaphor, conceptual blending, communities of practice, relational discourse, and identity development.

• Instrumentation development and theory

Theoretical focus is on the study of the physical properties of materials through computational simulations, either using first principles methods from density functional theory (DFT) or approximation methods within the effective mass theory, with an emphasis on semiconductors and oxides.

Physics research faculty are also active in the Materials Science, Engineering and Commercialization Ph.D. program.

Research Infrastructure and Facilities

Please check the Graduate Catalog for the latest information on programs & admissions.