Physics - M.S.
Overview and Learning Outcomes:
The MS program in Physics at Fisk University seeks to prepare its students to be successful in any area requiring knowledge of advanced physics. Student preparation includes a variety of experiences, all of which are aimed at creating well-rounded critical thinkers. The program is built on a combination of formal course work, laboratory training and active graduate-level research.
The program’s goal is to provide research activities and courses in physics and related areas to allow graduate students to be able to successfully enter Ph.D. programs or careers in the sciences.
Students who complete the Master’s program in physics will:
- Be able to demonstrate scholarship in the three fundamental areas of physics (classical mechanics, electrodynamics, and quantum mechanics) orally as well as in writing;
- Be able to do independent research, consistent with a Master’s level of training;
- Be able to present their own research at conferences and produce refereed journal publications.
- Produce a quality Master’s thesis containing publishable work; and
- Be prepared to enter a Ph.D. program in Physics or Materials Science, or enter the workforce as a quality job candidate, if they so choose.
Pre-requisites for Admission
Appropriate preparation for admission to the graduate program in physics includes completion of a minimum of 20 semester hours of prior study in physics, including courses equivalent to Fisk’s PHYS 130 and PHYS 140, University Physics I and II; PHYS 231, Introduction to Modern Physics; PHYS 262, Heat and Thermodynamics; PHYS 341, Intermediate Mechanics; and PHYS 352, Intermediate Electricity and Magnetism. Advanced undergraduate courses in light and quantum mechanics are also recommended. A cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0 (on a four-point scale) also is expected.
Students who do not possess all of these qualifications may, upon consultation with the faculty, be required to complete the needed undergraduate courses as soon as possible. Such students usually require a longer time to graduate, and will be enrolled as a graduate in “conditional standing.”
Requirements for the MS degree in Physics at Fisk University
CORE Physics Courses
Graduate students pursuing the MA degree in physics from Fisk University must complete the following core courses, in addition to electives relevant to the student’s research:
Student Progress
Normal Progress for students in the Physics program (aligned with those outlined at the outset as a general policy for all MS students in programs in the Natural Sciences:
Progress toward the master’s degree normally occurs in the steps reviewed below:
- Students are expected to identify their research mentor/supervisor at the end of their first Fall semester in the graduate program, with most entrants knowing their research mentor selection at the time of matriculation into the Master’s program.
- Continuation in the graduate program beyond the first semester of residence is dependent upon satisfactory progress toward graduation. Criteria that the student should meet include:
- Meeting any specified conditions that may have been imposed at the time of admission;
- Minimum of a 3.0 cumulative grade point average in courses taken for credit toward the MA degree
- Students are expected to assemble their thesis committee early in the second semester of their first year, meet before March 1st, and be able to present a thesis proposal by the spring of their first year in the program.
- Students are expected to convene their thesis committee at least once each semester after their first meeting in March of their first year. Each committee meeting will be summarized by the student using forms provided in the Appendix of this Handbook.
- Students will convene a committee meeting in the spring or early summer of their second year to determine if they have completed enough research to begin writing their thesis document (which hopefully trainees have been working on along the way).
- Each student will distribute their thesis document among committee members after its prior approval by their thesis research advisor. Two weeks or more later, the student can provide an oral presentation, the Graduate Student Thesis Defense, to a general audience as well as to all members of their thesis committee. The open presentation is followed by inquiries of the trainee by the thesis committee members. If a student passes, the appropriate paperwork is signed by all members.
- The thesis may need additional editing based on input from the thesis committee. These edits MUST be made before the Thesis Committee Chair (usually the thesis research supervisor) signs off on the thesis document. The final and committee-approved thesis document, with the committee signature page as its first page, is then submitted electronically (as a pdf version) to the Dean of Graduate Studies. Approval by the Dean of Graduate Studies is then forwarded to the Registrar. It is the receipt of the approval of the thesis document by the Dean of Graduate Studies by the Office of the Registrar that constitutes formal completion of the Master’s degree program in Physics at Fisk University.
Graduation Checklist
Required by Registrar the semester before the student intends to graduate.
Physics Didactic Courses (24 credits)
Including the three required PHYS courses:
Physics Research (6 credits)
Physics Program Trainees can register for as many hours of Research as is appropriate to retain fulltime status, but ONLY 6 HOURS of RESEARCH credit can count toward the MA degree. Thus, to obtain the required 30 hours for the MA, 24 hours of didactic work must be completed.
Total Hours Required for Graduation (30 credits)
Thesis Preparation (PHYS 598 or PHYS 599) should ONLY be taken during the last semester (Spring semester) of the student’s final year; NO hours of Thesis Preparation count toward the 30-hour graduation.
Physics Program Research Mentor Faculty
(Dr. Collins is a mentor for the terminal Master’s degree)
ADJUNCT FACULTY to the PHYSICS (including Materials Science) Graduate Program
ADJUNCT FACULTY to the ASTRONOMY Graduate Program, relevant to the Fisk- Vanderbilt Masters to PhD Bridge Program (only)
Fisk-Vanderbilt Masters-to-PhD Bridge Program in Physics
The Fisk-Vanderbilt Masters-to-PhD Bridge program is designed to allow Fisk Master’s students transition into PhD programs in physics, astronomy or materials science at Vanderbilt. The program, which usually requires 2 years, is flexible and is individualized to the goals and needs of each student. Courses are selected to address gaps in undergraduate preparation, as are research experiences that allow students to develop and demonstrate their full scientific talent and potential. The program provides:
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full access to courses at both Fisk and Vanderbilt
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research performed with Fisk and Vanderbilt faculty
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a nurturing, friendly academic environment and a warm social network w/other Bridge students/postdocs/faculty
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full funding support, tuition waiver, stipend, and health insurance.
Curriculum Guidelines for Fisk-Vanderbilt Masters-to-PhD Program in Physics, Materials Science, or Astronomy
- Have Spring Thesis Committee Meeting- this meeting should lead to ‘permission to prepare MA thesis’ documentation.
Physics/Materials Science Requirements
First Year, Fall Semester (10.5 credits)
- PHYS 583: Journal Club
- Choose Faculty Research Mentor
First Year, Spring Semester (10.5 credits)
- VPHYS 8020 and VPHYS 8030: Based on performance in Fisk-prepared pretest
- PHYS 584: Journal Club
- Establish Advisory Committee
- Have first meeting of Thesis Committee by Mar 1
Second Year, Fall Semester (9 credits)
- PHYS Electives (as recommended by advisor): Fisk 400 and 500 series
- PHYS 583: Journal Club, encouraged but not required
- PHYS 591: These three count toward 30 hours required for graduation
Second Year, Spring Semester (9 credits)
| PHYS | Electives (as recommended by advisor) | |
| | Or | |
| PHYS 581 | Special Topics Independent Study (Experiments) | 2-4 |
| | | |
| PHYS 599 | Masters Thesis Preparation | 0 |
| PHYS 583 | Graduate Physics Seminar | 1 |
- PHYS Electives (as recommended by advisor): Fisk 400 and 500 series
- PHYS 599: Hours for Thesis Prep do not count toward 30 hours required for graduation
- PHYS 583: Journal Club- encouraged but not required
Physics/Astrophysics Graduate Program Requirements
First Year, Fall Semester (9.5 – 12.5 credits)
- Choose Faculty Research Mentor
First Year, Spring Semester (9.5 credits)
- VPHYS 8020: Based on performance in Fisk-prepared pretest
- PHYS 542: On advice from advisor –can be replaced with VU PHYS 8030
- Establish Advisory Committee
- Have first meeting of Thesis Committee by Mar 1st
First Year, Summer (6 credits)
Second Year, Fall Semester (9 credits)
- PHYS 583: Journal Club, encouraged but not required
- PHYS 591: Do not count toward 30 hours required for graduation
- Have Fall Meeting with Advisory Committee
Second Year, Spring Semester (3 credits)
- PHYS 583: Journal Club- encouraged but not required