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  Nov 23, 2009
 
 
    
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Applied Physics

The applied physicist bridges the gap between pure physics and engineering by conducting research on technical applications of natural phenomena. The hallmark of the applied physicist is the ability to conceive solutions by applying fundamental physical principles to complex problems.

The graduate program in applied physics leads to the Master of Science degree and is designed to develop professionals with broad capabilities appropriate for careers in technical research or advanced graduate study. Because of today’s changing technology, the program encompasses a wide range of topics, enabling the graduate to contribute solutions to a variety of physics problems. The faculty of the applied physics program is drawn predominantly from the staff of the Applied Physics Laboratory. Faculty interests and expertise include the following areas of specialization: ocean sciences, optics, solid state physics, materials, and space sciences. In their areas of research, the faculty members collaborate with colleagues from various divisions of the University as well as with scientists and engineers at other national and international laboratories.

 

Program Committee

Harry K. Charles Jr., Program Chair
Principal Professional Staff
Applied Physics Laboratory

Robert C. Cammarata
Professor, Materials Science and Engineering
Whiting School of Engineering

Richard F. Gasparovic
Principal Professional Staff
Applied Physics Laboratory

David L. Porter
Principal Professional Staff
Applied Physics Laboratory

John C. Sommerer
Principal Professional Staff
Applied Physics Laboratory

Joseph J. Suter
Principal Professional Staff
Applied Physics Laboratory

Michael E. Thomas
Principal Professional Staff
Applied Physics Laboratory

Admission Requirements

Applicants must meet the general requirements for admission to a graduate program outlined in this catalog in the Admissions Requirements section. The applicant’s education also must have included mathematics through vector analysis and ordinary differential equations, general physics, modern physics, intermediate mechanics, and intermediate electricity and magnetism. The intermediate mechanics and intermediate electricity and magnetism requirements may be waived if the applicant has an exceptionally good grade point average and a strong background in mathematics.

Course Requirements and Course Descriptions

A total of 10 one-term courses must be completed within five years. The core curriculum requires four courses with at least three courses selected from a group of six courses designed to provide a mastery of physical principles (mathematical physics, electromagnetics, quantum mechanics, classical mechanics, statistical mechanics and thermodynamics, and modern physics). The fourth core course can be selected from either the basic physical principal offerings above or from a group of three courses (Principles of Optics, Materials Science, and Physical System Modeling) that provide an introduction to the three primary curriculum concentration areas (Geophysical and Space Sciences, Photonics, and Materials and Condensed Matter. Four of the remaining six courses must be selected from among the applied physics courses listed below, and may follow a particular concentration or contain a variety of applied physics courses. The two remaining courses may be selected from any of the offerings of the Whiting School of Engineering with the approval of the student’s adviser.

Four of the 10 courses required for the degree must be at the 700- or 800-level. With the adviser’s approval, an elective course may be substituted for a required course if the student has previously completed an equivalent graduate level course. Academic standards governing graduate study must be maintained.

Neither a thesis nor knowledge of a foreign language is required in this program.

Courses numbered 600-level and above are open only to those students who have been admitted for graduate study. Some courses may not be offered every year. Please refer to the Course Schedule published each term for exact dates, times, locations, fees, and instructors.

I. Required Courses

Four one-term courses, with at least three selected from the first six courses below:

II. Elective Courses

Six one-term courses, with at least four from Applied Physics:

A. Applied Physics Electives

Geophysics and Space Science

Photonics

Materials and Condensed Matter

Additional

B. General Electives

The remaining elective one-term courses may be selected from those listed above and/or from other Master of Science programs described in this catalog, subject to approval by the student’s adviser.

Photonics Option

Students can elect to concentrate their studies in photonics by completing a combination of courses from the applied physics and electrical and computer engineering curricula. Applied physics students specializing in photonics must complete the three required courses listed below plus one additional course from the required Electrical and Computer Engineering photonics core.

 

Photonics Option - Applied Physics Required Coures

Photonics Option - Electrical and Computer Engineering Core Courses

Select one:

Photonics Option Electives in Applied Physics

Applied physics offers several additional optics courses.  Of the remaining six courses, four or more must be photonics courses selected from both the applied physics and electrical and computer engineering curricula.

Photonics Options Electives in Electrical and Computer Engineering

Electrical engineering offers the following photonics courses:

Materials and Condensed Matter Option

Students can elect to concentrate their studies in Materials and Condensed Matter by completing a combination of courses from the Applied Physics, Electrical Engineering, and the Materials Science and Engineering curricula. Applied Physics students specializing in Materials and Condensed Matter must complete three of the first six required courses listed above, plus 615.480 Materials Science.

Of the remaining six courses, four or more must be Materials and Condensed Matter courses selected from the Applied Physics, Electrical Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering, and Chemical Engineering curricula.

Applied Physics

Offers the following materials-related courses:

Note:

615.800 Applied Physics Project and 615.802 Directed Studies in Applied Physics also can be used to allow students to pursue specialized interests in Materials and Condensed Matter.

Electrical Engineering

Offers the following materials related course:

Materials Science and Engineering

Offers the following materials-related courses:

Chemical Engineering

Offers the following materials-related courses:

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