MS in Physics
The Master of Science in Physics involves students in active and frontier research, preparing them for scientific careers on the cutting edge of discovery. Core program material includes mathematical methods, advanced mechanics, electromagnetic theory, quantum mechanics, statistical mechanics and computational physics.
In addition to completing core courses and research requirements, master’s students choose between an optional thesis and advanced electives in nuclear physics, biophysics and astrophysics. Advanced courses should be chosen in consultation with the academic advisor.
Physics Graduate Programs Info Session: November 18
Join us online for an information session discussing the field of physics and the GW Physics Graduate programs.
Application Deadlines
Fall Semester: April 1 (February 1 for fellowship applicants)
Spring Semester: October 1
Course Requirements
Note: We are in the process of updating some of the requirements listed below and in the University Bulletin. DATS 6202, PHYS 6590, and PHYS 6510 are no longer required. You may need to request a waiver for these courses from the Physics Graduate Advisor while the changes are still being made in the University Bulletin. PHYS 6620 (Biophysics I) is being added to the list of elective courses.
This Bulletin covers the degree requirements for students matriculating in the current academic year. Students who matriculated before the current year can find their requirements in the relevant archived Bulletin.
36 credits. For non-thesis option—24 credits in required courses and 12 credits in elective courses. For thesis option—24 credits in required courses, including 6 credits in thesis, and 6 credits in elective courses.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required | ||
| PHYS 6110 | Mathematical Methods of Theoretical Physics | |
| PHYS 6120 | Advanced Mechanics | |
| PHYS 6130 | Computational Physics I | |
| PHYS 6210 | Electrodynamics and Classical Field Theory | |
| PHYS 6220 | Quantum Mechanics I | |
| PHYS 6230 | Computational Physics II | |
| PHYS 6310 | Statistical Mechanics | |
| PHYS 6330 | Computational Physics III | |
| PHYS 6590 | Seminar | |
| For thesis option: | ||
| PHYS 6999 | Thesis Research | |
| Electives | ||
| Non-thesis students select 12 credits and thesis students select 6 credits in the following elective courses: | ||
| PHYS 6320 | Quantum Mechanics II | |
| PHYS 6510 | Communications in Physics | |
| PHYS 6599 | Advanced Study | |
| PHYS 6610 | Nuclear and Particle Physics I | |
| PHYS 6620 | Applied Machine Learning: Theory and Applications | |
| PHYS 6630 | Radiative Processes in Astrophysics | |
| PHYS 6710 | Nuclear and Particle Physics II | |
| PHYS 6720 | Machine Learning II: Data Analysis | |
| PHYS 6730 | High-Energy Astrophysics | |
| PHYS 6810 | Applied Statistics and Data Analysis in Physics | |
| DATS 6202 | Applied Machine Learning: Theory and Applications | |