Physics and Engineering Physics Programs

OVERVIEW

The graduate program in Physics is designed for students who desire to master fundamental concepts and techniques, who are interested in studying applications in various areas of technology and science, and who wish to keep abreast of the latest experimental and theoretical innovations in these areas. The program offers a varied curriculum consisting of either highly specialized courses or broad training in diverse areas.

The required degree courses provide broad skills in basic physics; the elective choices give highly specialized training in a variety of different areas. The Department of Physics and Engineering Physics offers rich and varied programs in pure and applied physics, while sustaining the sense of a coherent community in search of knowledge.

Stevens also offers the interdisciplinary Nanotechnology Graduate Program, which aims to create a vibrant environment that provides stimulating and cross-fertilizing educational training in nanotechnology to contribute to the Institute’s research excellence in related frontiers while preserving strong disciplinary fundamentals.

Degree Programs
Advanced degree programs (Master and Ph.D.) have the dual purpose of providing the broad basis for continued intellectual growth as well as specialization. The former is accomplished through a set of required core courses, which all students in the program must take. The latter is accomplished through electives chosen to meet the student's educational objectives.

While flexibility is intended in designing a student's program, every program must include: i) any background courses required to correct deficiencies, and ii) the required core courses.

All students should be familiar with the Institute's rules governing all graduate programs (see the Graduate Student Handbook). In particular, the following should be noted:

  • For the Master's degree, the maximum number of credits that may be transferred from another institution is nine. These credits cannot have been used to obtain another degree.
  • For the Ph.D. degree, a prior Master's degree may be transferred for up to 30 credits. Up to one-third of additional course credits may be transferred with the approval of the advisory committee and the Dean of the Graduate Academics provided they have not been used to obtain another degree.
  • A B-or-better average is required (exclusive of transfer courses) not only for the overall program, but also for the courses in a student's major, which must amount to at least 20 credits.

Admissions Requirements
All programs require a B.S. degree in Physics or equivalent including the following coursework:

  • Calculus-based three- or four-semester introductory physics sequence, thermodynamics, electricity and magnetism, mechanics, quantum mechanics, and mathematical methods.
  • Ph.D. applicants lacking the above courses are required to take the indicated courses for no graduate credit.
  • Graduate Record Examination including the Physics Subject Exam.

Webcampus
A Masters in Microelectronics and Photonics can be earned through the award-winning Stevens WebCampus program. This ten-course, online instructor-led Master's degree combines the technical and intellectual resources of many disciplines. Students emerge with sharply honed knowledge and training as a highly qualified microelectronics and photonics professional. For more information including the required courses, visit the Stevens Webcampus site.