The Florida A&M University (FAMU) Department of Physics, in the College of Science and Technology, offers a program of study leading to a Master of Science in Physics degree. This program is designed to provide a solid foundation in physics course work (beyond the baccalaureate level) and research essential for pursuing doctoral studies in physics or related academic areas. The successful student will be prepared to enter the work force, or enter a high quality Ph.D. program. The student may choose either a thesis or non-thesis program leading to the M.S. in Physics degree.
The Department has 15 faculty members committed to excellence in research. The faculty conducts experimental research in the areas of:
- Axion and astrophysical particle detection
- Laser ablation
- Laser interactions with matter
- Nanomaterial growth and properties
- Plasma physics and theoretical research
- Atomic and molecular scattering
- Electronic and structural properties of carbon nanomaterials
- Numerical algorithms and optimization methods
- Quantum theory on manifolds
Admission to the Master of Science program is in conformity with the uniform requirements established by the School of Graduate Studies and Research as described in other sections of this catalog. These include:
- A 3.0 (on a scale of 4.0) cumulative grade point average covering the last 60 semester hours of undergraduate preparation,
- The possession of a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution of higher education;
- Acceptance of undergraduate seniors into the Master of Science program is conditional upon their completion of all requirements for the baccalaureate degree before commencement of graduate studies.
- Foreign students whose native language is not English, must make a score of at least 550 on the TOEFL (Test of English as a foreign language).
In addition, other factors such as motivation, attitude, and potential for successful graduate work will be considered. These factors will be judged from at least two letters of recommendation from undergraduate physics instructors and/or personal interviews. Conditional acceptance into the graduate program may be granted as a result of these letters or interview when requirement 2 is not met. However, a student may not remain in the program for more than one semester with a conditional acceptance.
Academic Requirements
The requirements consist of a set of core requirements and then separate requirements for the thesis and non-thesis programs:
