Admission Requirements

In addition to fulfilling the University’s general requirements for graduate admission at the Master’s level, applicants seeking admission into the M.S. in Applied Physics program must also:

1. Possess a Bachelor’s degree in Physics, or a closely allied field, from an accredited college or university. Applicants from fields other than Physics may expect to be required to remove deficiencies in their physics background.
2. Present satisfactory scores on the aptitude portion of the Graduate Record Examination.
3. Possess an overall grade point average of at least 2.75 (based on a 4.0 scale) on all of the applicant’s previous work beyond high school. The average in the major should be 3.0 or above.
4. Present satisfactory scores on the Test of English as a Foreign Language, if the applicant is from a non-English speaking country.
5. Demonstrate evidence of sufficient interest, ability, and preparation in physics to adequately profit from graduate study, as determined by the Physics Department’s Graduate Committee.

Early Entry Program

Exceptional undergraduate students at UNC Charlotte may apply for the Early Entry Program and begin work toward the graduate degree before completion of the baccalaureate degree.  See the Undergraduate Catalog for details and requirements.  Also see the Degree Requirements and Academic Policies  section of the Graduate Catalog for more information about Early Entry Programs.

Accelerated Master’s Program

Academically talented high school seniors and UNC Charlotte undergraduate freshmen are encouraged to apply for the Accelerated Master’s Program to begin work toward both undergraduate and graduate degrees in their Freshman year.  See the Undergraduate Catalog for details and requirements.  Also see the Degree Requirements and Academic Policies  section of the Graduate Catalog for more information about Accelerated Master’s Programs.

Degree Requirements

The M.S. in Applied Physics requires the completion of 30 credit hours approved by the Department of Physics and Optical Science.  A minimum of 15 credit hours presented for the degree must be in courses numbered 6000 and above. 

At the time of admission, up to 6 credit hours of graduate transfer credit may be accepted if approved by the Department of Physics and Optical Science and the Graduate School. 

Students may, with departmental approval, apply up to 9 credit hours in non-cross-listed courses from graduate programs in related areas such as Bioinformatics, Biology, Chemistry, Engineering, Mathematics, and Nanoscale Science toward the 30 credit hour degree requirement.

All candidates for the degree must pass a final examination administered by their Advisory Committee.

Degree Total = 30 Credit Hours

Grade Requirements

A minimum grade point average of 3.0 is required on all coursework attempted for the degree.  

Admission to Candidacy

In addition to the general requirements for admission to candidacy, students enrolled in the Master of Science program in Applied Physics program should have:

1. Removed all identified entrance deficiencies by the time of application for admission to candidacy
2. Completed at least 18 approved credit hours with a GPA of 3.0 or above
3. Selected a major advisor and formed an advisory committee

Advisory Committee

Each student in the M.S. in Applied Physics Program must have a major advisor and an advisory committee. The student should select a major advisor before the end of the first year of residency. The student and the major advisor jointly determine the advisory committee. The advisory committee must have at least 3 members, the majority of which must be from the Department of Physics and Optical Science. The major advisor and the advisory committee must be in place prior to applying for degree candidacy.

Assistantships

Support for beginning graduate students is usually a teaching assistantship. Continuing students are often supported by research assistantships.