Master of Science [M.S] [Physics] From West Virginia University

Because the path to a M.S. degree with a thesis involves research with a faculty advisor, it is important that students wishing to complete a M.S. degree in two years understand the accelerated pace at which they will have to work.

The Department of Physics and Astronomy offers a solid foundation in the fundamentals as well as a diverse range of specializations for MS and PhD research. Currently there are 20 regular faculty members; 8 emeritus, adjunct, and visiting faculty; 8 post-doctoral associates; 9 staff; and approximately 60 graduate students. The size of the physics department is sufficient to provide research opportunities in a select range of physics subspecialities without being so large that students are lost in the crowd. Opportunities for collaborative research with other departments in the University also exist and physics graduate students have worked with faculty in chemical engineering, electrical engineering, mathematics, and chemistry. Applicants are expected to have a bachelor?s degree in physics, with upper-division courses in electricity and magnetism, mechanics, quantum mechanics, thermodynamics, and mathematical methods.