Wichita State University
Master of Science in Physics
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The physics group in the Department of Mathematics, Statistics and Physics helps students prepare for doctoral work in physics or for jobs in STEM related jobs in research and industry.
The MS degree program is flexible so students can design their studies to meet their educational or career goals. Students may combine the study of physics with interest in such fields as astronomy, engineering, geology, computer science, mathematics and education.
Admission Requirements
Admission to the MS program in physics requires the completion of 24 hours of undergraduate physics, including 3 semester hours of mechanics and 3 semester hours of electricity and magnetism, and meeting the Graduate School admission requirements.
The GRE Subject test in Physics is recommended, but not required, for admission to the program. Students whose native language is not English must submit an official, acceptable TOEFL score.
For the internet based test, a TOEFL score of 79 or above is acceptable.
Research Opportunities
Students entering graduate studies in Physics have access to many cutting edge research opportunities that will prepare them for further graduate study, or STEM careers in related fields.
- Experimental High Energy Particle Physics: WSU has a strong experimental particle physics group consisting of Prof. Solomey, Assoc. Prof. Meyer, and Assistant Prof. Muether. This group is working on the NOvA Neutrino experiment, the leading US HEP experiment, and has access to data that would support analyses for many graduate students at both the Masters and PhD level. Students following this course of research have been successful in attaining academic position and data science positions in industry. A major focus on the research coming out of this group revolves around using large amounts of computing resources to analyses large complicated data set (i.e., big data type problems).
- Theoretical High Energy Particle Physics: Prof. Terrance Figy is leading an active research program focused on Higgs boson collider phenomenology.
- Condensed Matter: Currently led by Professors Kaplideb Ambal and Hussein Hamdeh, WSU condensed matter physics focuses on magnetic materials and nano particles and has produced many past physics theses, joint projects with Material Engineering, and consistent external funding. Student completing this course of study would be well suited to enter a PhD program in Solid State physics or Material Science/Engineering, or pursue engineering careers.
- Quantum Information Theory: Prof. Behrman is studying quantum computing and information theory. This line of research should produce many varied research topics and would have natural ties to computer science. Student pursuing this research would be prepared for continuation in a related PhD program or a career in information technology and theory.
- Computational Astrophysics: Prof. Ferguson's research in computational astrophysics would provide student an opportunity to learn how to model complicated system. These students would be prepared for continues graduate study or STEM related careers where modeling is crucial.
Graduate Faculty
Associate Professor and Graduate Coordinator
Professor
Professor and Chair
Professor
Professor
Professor
Associate Professor
Associate Professor
Degree Requirements
The MS degree in physics requires the successful completion of a Plan of Study approved
by the student's advisor and the department chairperson. Two options are available:
a 36-hour non-thesis program and a 30-hour program that includes a research project
written as a thesis.
Students in either option must take at least 12 hours in courses numbered 800 or above.
The department recommends the each Plan of Study include PHYS 821, Classical Mechanics;
PHYS 831, Electricity and Magnetism; PHYS 871, Statistical Mechanics; and PHYS 811,
Quantum Mechanics. A typical Plan of Study may consist of up to 12 hours of course
work taken outside the department.
Sample Plan of Study
| Year 1 |
First SemesterPHYS 821 Classical Mech. |
Second SemesterPHYS 831 E&M |
|---|---|---|
| Year 2 |
First SemesterPHYS 811 Quantum Mech. |
Second SemesterPHYS 871 Stat Mech. |
Support and Assistantships
Teaching assistantships are available which offer a full tuition waiver and a living stipend. To apply for assistantship please complete the Assistantship Application Form and return it to our Graduate Coordinator, Dr. Kapildeb Ambal. Letter of recommendation may also be emailed from the letter writer to our graduate coordinator.
Research assistantships may also be available. Please inquire for additional information.
Potential applicants for graduate teaching assistantships who are non-native speakers of English must first attain a score of 4.5 or above on the speaking portion of the current iteration of the internet-based TOEFL (taken after January 21, 2026), or a score of 22 or above on the speaking portion of the prior iteration of the internet-based TOEFL (taken before January 21, 2026), or a score of 50 or above on the SPEAK, or a score of 7.0 or higher on the speaking portion of the IELTS exam. All students who are offered a graduate teaching assistantship, whether native or non-native speakers of English, must have their spoken English evaluated by a departmental assessment committee. The committee is appointed by the department chair or director, and is composed of at least three members: two faculty members and one student. The committee judges the graduate assistant’s spoken English according to the Spoken English Screening Form (SESF) scale of 1–4. A rating of 1 or 2 indicates competency in spoken English and is required for appointing the candidate. For non-native speakers of English, this is required in addition to the TOEFL/IELTS/SPEAK mentioned previously.