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2018-2019 SDSM&T Academic Catalog 
    
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2018-2019 SDSM&T Academic Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Physics, MS

Contact Information

Dr. R. Oszwaldowski, Graduate Program Coordinator
Department of Physics
Electrical Engineering/Physics 119
(605) 394-2726
E-mail: Rafal.Oszwaldowski@sdsmt.edu

MS in Physics

The MS in Physics is a collaborative program between the University of South Dakota and South Dakota School of Mines & Technology. It includes a thesis and a non-thesis option.  The thesis option requires a thesis based on research, while the non-thesis option substitutes additional coursework and a research paper/project for the thesis requirement.

The Accelerated MS option is not available for this degree.

Degree requirements for thesis option

Distribution of credits

Core requirements: 19 credits
Research or project requirements: 7 credits
Elective requirements: 6 credits
Total credits: 32

Board of Regents policy states that a minimum of 16 credits of the 32 required must be taken at the 600 level or above. Students who complete the Physics core described below will automatically fulfill this requirement.

Core requirements

Research or project requirements

The completion of a master’s thesis, approved by the student’s graduate advisory committee and the Dean of Graduate Education, is required for this degree.

  • Credits: 1 to 9 **

  • ** At least 7 credits of 798 are required.  No more than 7 credits of PHYS 798 may be counted toward the degree.

Elective requirements

All elective courses must be approved by the student’s graduate advisor. Electives may be chosen from the list below. At least 6 credits of approved electives must be earned.

Examinations

A thesis defense and an oral final examination are required for this degree.

Detailed policy is given in the physics graduate handbook.

Additional requirements

In addition to these degree-specific requirements, the student must also meet the requirements and policies applied to all graduate degrees  by the Council of Graduate Education.

Degree requirements for non-thesis option

Distribution of credits

Core requirements: 19 credits
Research or project requirements: 2 credits
Elective requirements: 11 credits
Total credits: 32

Board of Regents policy states that a minimum of 16 credits of the 32 required must be taken at the 600 level or above. Students who complete the Physics core described below will automatically fulfill this requirement.

Core requirements

Research or project requirements

The completion of a master’s project is required for this degree.

  • PHYS 788 Master’s Research Problems/Projects Credits: 1-5 **

** At SD Mines, physics students normally complete the thesis option, and PHYS 788 is not offered. Students considering the non-thesis option should consult with their advisor/major professor about an appropriate substitution for 788.

Elective requirements

All elective courses must be approved by the student’s graduate advisor. Electives may be chosen from the list below.

Examinations

No final degree examination is required for the non-thesis option. Individual courses may hold final examinations as part of the course.

Additional requirements

In addition to these degree-specific requirements, the student must also meet the requirements and policies applied to all graduate degrees  by the Council of Graduate Education.