Physics, M.S.

E-mail: physics@bgsu.edu 

Many students enroll in our M.S. program to improve on their undergraduate course work and to test their ability to do doctoral work in the field. It has been the experience of many graduates of our M.S. program that the experience gained in completing thesis research is invaluable in their future doctoral program. Other graduates from our program go on to exciting jobs in industry, including semi-conductor applications in green energy fields, and in various forms of computing.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the Master’s degree, students in the Physics & Astronomy program are expected to be able to:

• Demonstrate a rigorous understanding of how the Law of Gravitation and Newton’s dynamics account for the orbital properties of the planets and satellites in the solar system and the connection of the Newtonian approach with Lagrangian methods.
• Demonstrate the ability to show how the Schrödinger equation provides a quantitative account of the properties of simple atomic systems, including wave functions and how potential barriers permit quantum mechanical tunneling.
• Demonstrate knowledge of the quantitative relationships between distributions of charge and the nature of the electric fields produced by them and of the connection between currents and the magnetic fields produced by them.
• Demonstrate the ability to calculate thermodynamic quantities by employing the methods of statistical ensembles and phase space.
• Demonstrate the ability to solve differential equations that arise in physics applications in analytical forms and using numerical methods.
• Demonstrate the capability to make accurate measurements of important physical quantities and to explain their significance.
• Demonstrate the ability to present a professional talk on a research project in physics or astronomy and to write an appropriate abstract describing the contents of the talk.
• Demonstrate the ability to synthesize scientific concepts, measurements, and equations (where appropriate) into a written paper.

Admission Requirements

• Three Letters of Recommendation
• Professional Resume
• Statement of Purpose

Application Requirements

Admissions Categories and Grade Point Average Requirements

International Application Information

Applications completed by Feb 28 will receive full consideration for financial assistance for Fall enrollment; applications received later are still welcome. Spring enrollment is not typical but is considered in some circumstances.

Valid Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), Pearson English Language Test (PTE), International English Language Testing System (IELTS), English Language Services (ELS), or Duolingo English Test (DET) scores obtained within the last two years are required of all applying for admission whose first language is not English. Official TOEFL, PTE, IELTS, ELS, or DET score report recommended minimums are: 80 TOEFL iBT (old scale) or 4.0 (new scale); 53 PTE; 6.5 IELTS; 112 ELS; 110 DET.

Applicants are exempt from providing standardized language proficiency test scores if they are: US citizens; from a country whose population speaks English as its first language; or have a previous degree (associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, or doctorate) from a US college/university or from a country in which instruction was delivered in English. A complete list of qualifying countries can be found here.

Degree Requirements