Physics for Business Applications (MS)

Admission Requirements

The prerequisite for admission to the Master of Science in Physics for Business Applications is a bachelor’s degree in physics, chemistry, mathematics, engineering or related field. Applicants should have previous upperdivision course work in electricity and magnetism and quantum mechanics/modern physics. All applicants for admission must take the Graduate Record Examinations general test and are encouraged to take the Physics Subject Test. Transcripts of undergraduate records as well as transcripts of any graduate-level courses are required. The TOEFL or IELTS is required of international students applying for a teaching assistantship as well as for those applying for admission only. Applicants may be admitted to the program at the beginning of fall or spring semester.

Residence

All full-time MS degree students are expected to take three courses toward the degree for each of the first three semesters. Part-time students are expected to complete at least three courses per calendar year. A total of 36 units of credit is required for graduation. Admitted students may transfer a maximum of 8 units of credit to apply toward degree requirements.

Foreign Language Requirement

There is no foreign language requirement for the MS degree.

Computer Language Requirement

By the end of the first semester in residence, students are required to demonstrate a skill level in programming in C or C++. This skill may be demonstrated by a practical exam or by passing a relevant computer language course.

Course Requirements

The MS in Physics for Business Applications degree requires completion of 36 units of course work plus satisfactory submission of a final technical report. The physics requirement is 17 units of courses, including PHYS 516 , PHYS 518 , PHYS 520 , PHYS 558a , PHYS 650  and PHYS 692 . The business requirement is 12 units of courses. Business courses may be selected from one of three tracks: Corporate Finance (GSBA 510 , GSBA 548  and one of GSBA 518  or GSBA 543  are required with electives chosen from FBE 529 , FBE 531 , FBE 532  and FBE 562 ); Information Systems (GSBA 518  or GSBA 543  required with electives chosen from IOM 533 and IOM 540); or Operations Management (GSBA 518  or GSBA 543  required with electives chosen from DSO 525 , DSO 537 , DSO 581 , DSO 582  and DSO 583 ). Alternative business tracks can be taken with departmental approval. An additional 6 units of technical electives are required, to be chosen from PHYS 408b , PHYS 440 , PHYS 504 , PHYS 510 , PHYS 558b , MATH 407  or MATH 408 . Alternative technical electives can be taken with departmental approval. All required courses must be passed with a grade of B- or better.

Final Technical Report

All students in physics are required to submit a final technical report within one semester of completion of the internship PHYS 692 . This report will be reviewed by the department to establish both its technical merit and the quality of written communication skills of the master’s student. A grade will be registered for PHYS 692  upon satisfactory review of the final report.