Rutgers University Department of Physics and
Astronomy
previous section - table of contents - next section
There are two options for the Master of Science degree: with essay and with thesis. For both options up to 12 credits can be at the upper level (300 or 400 level) undergraduate courses taken at Rutgers while in the graduate program. Up to 12 credits may be transferred from another institution. Transfer credits must be at the graduate level. For transfer of graduate courses taken as an undergraduate, a letter is required from the registrar of the institution involved stating that the course or courses were not used toward an undergraduate degree. No more than 9 credits with grades of C or C+ may be used toward the degree.
The general policy of financial support is as described for the Ph.D. program. The department rarely has resources to provide financial support to Masters students.
The Graduate Studies Committee will consider requests from Physics graduate students for the Master of Philosophy degree. The committee will generally observe the following guidelines:
The M.S.T. degree is primarily for practicing teachers, although others may be accepted. The requirements for the M.S.T. degree in physics consist of 30 credits, a comprehensive examination, and an essay or thesis.
The courses are chosen in consultation with the departmental advisor to fit the needs of the individual student, with the aim of giving each candidate the opportunity to learn more physics. Both undergraduate and graduate courses may be used, depending on the person's previous experience.
Each candidate must demonstrate competence in the basic subjects of mechanics, electromagnetism, thermodynamics, atomic and nuclear structure, and calculus at a comprehensive M.S.T. examination. The examination is normally oral, and is administered by a committee of three members of the faculty appointed by the Graduate Program Director.
To the extent that a student has satisfied the basic physics requirements as preparation for the comprehensive examination, he or she may select courses in physics, other sciences, mathematics, or in education.
No more than nine credits with grades of C may be accepted toward the M.S.T.
degree. Up to twelve credits may be transferred from other institutions with
approval of the department and the
The M.S.T. critical essay is generally a review of a particular area of physics, resulting from specialized study. It may also describe the results of a candidate's development of a novel teaching unit, including perhaps a laboratory experiment. An M.S.T. candidate may elect to submit a regular M.S.T. thesis for which six credits may be earned through research rather than in courses. The research may be in theoretical or experimental physics, or it may be primarily pedagogical in nature. The research must be supervised by a member of the faculty with the advice of the candidate's committee and a final defense of the thesis work will be held before the candidate's committee.
A student may take any of the regular courses offered by the physics department or any of the special evening courses upon admission to the graduate school as a non-matriculated student. Such courses may later be applied toward any of the regular degree programs if the student is admitted as a candidate for such a degree. Students applying for non-matriculated status should submit a transcript of their undergraduate grades and one letter of recommendation along with their application; GRE tests are not required.
Another possibility is to apply through the Office of Non-degree Graduate Study, but students are not allowed to accumulate more than 12 credits in non-degree study prior to matriculation in a graduate program.
previous section - table of contents - next section
Revised September, 2019