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APLPH-MS - Applied Physics (MS)

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Applied PhysicsApplied PhysicsMS - Master of Science

Program Overview

The Department of Applied Physics offers qualified students with backgrounds in physics or engineering the opportunity to do graduate coursework and research in the physics relevant to technical applications and natural phenomena. These areas include accelerator physics, biophysics, condensed matter physics, quantum electronics and photonics, quantum optics and quantum information, ultrafast and non-equilibrium properties of materials, and synchrotron radiation and its applications.

Faculty members and various members of other departments such as Biology, Chemistry, Electrical Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering, Physics, the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, and faculty of the Medical School engaged in related research fields supervise student research.

Research activities are carried out in laboratories including the Geballe Laboratory for Advanced Materials (GLAM), the Edward L. Ginzton Laboratory (GINZTON),  the Hansen Experimental Physics Laboratory (HEPL), the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, the Center for Probing the Nanoscale, and the Stanford Institute for Materials and Energy Science (SIMES).

This program is full time, master students in the Applied Physics MS program are expected to maintain a significant physical presence on campus throughout their graduate studies. This ensures that students have access to advisors and mentors, libraries, and other resources that support timely progress towards completion of degree requirements. Additionally, being on campus ensures that students are part of the academic and campus community which supports continued professional development. 

Minimum Units in the Program

45

Minimum University Units

45
Completion requirement

See Graduate Degrees for the university’s basic requirements for the master’s degree.

There are no department or university examinations. There is no thesis component. If a student is admitted to the MS program but later wishes to change to the PhD program, the student must re-apply through the admissions portal.

Only six units below the 200-level are permitted without approval by the Applied Physics Graduate Study Committee.

All Master students must complete at least one approved graduate course (for a letter grade) in each of any four of the following five areas:

  1. Quantum Mechanics

  2. Statistical and Condensed Matter Physics

  3. Classical Physics

  4. Methods

  5. Biophysics

A course that appears in multiple categories may be used to satisfy only one core requirement. The flagship course, offered every year by the Applied Physics department in each area is listed first (in bold). Students unfamiliar with a topic area are strongly encouraged to begin with the flagship course, or another more introductory course as needed. Discussions with the academic advisor will help students determine their appropriate curriculum. Students with prior background may choose any approved course in that category.

Complete at least 1 course in each of any 4 of the following 5 areas.

Fulfill ANY of the following requirements:
Complete at least 1 of the following Courses:
  • 2124061
  • 2192971
  • 2184353
  • 2234401
  • 2249301
  • 1227181
  • 1227191
  • 2002642
  • 1227471
  • 1227481
  • 1227491
  • 2264061
OR
Complete at least 1 of the following Courses:
  • 2132551
  • 2260061
  • 2263461
  • 2002681
  • 1226962
  • 1094251
  • 2018671
  • 2132611
  • 2063981
  • 2174381
  • 2078521
  • 1094901
OR
Fulfill ANY of the following requirements:
Complete at least 1 of the following Courses:
  • 2124041
  • 2263471
  • 2132571
  • 1039041
  • 1038771
  • 1038721
  • 1038261
  • 2027481
  • 1040131
  • 2222371
  • 2245412
  • 1227151
OR

Note: There is no flagship course for Continuum Mechanics.

Complete at least 1 of the following Courses:
  • 1031181
  • 1031191
  • 1031311
  • 1036421
  • 2229261
  • 1049911
  • 1049921
  • 2194881
OR
Fulfill ANY of the following requirements:

Note: There are two flagship courses for Laboratory; APPPHYS 232 and APPPHYS 214.

Complete at least 1 of the following Courses:
  • 2040304
  • 2282841
  • 2184261
  • 1038761
  • 2054192
  • 2195771
  • 2146191
  • 1041361
  • 2181101
  • 1046402
  • 1046462
  • 1046472
  • 1047391
  • 2073251
  • 2270251
  • 1227431
OR

Note: There is no flagship course for Computational Courses.

Complete at least 1 of the following Courses:
  • 1048671
  • 2120661
  • 1057301
  • 1209041
  • 2242591
  • 1057481
  • 1057501
  • 2205691
  • 2278581
  • 2066521
  • 2066541
  • 1050291
OR

Note: There is no flagship course for Mathematical Methods Courses.

Complete at least 1 of the following Courses:
  • 2079081
  • 2102132
  • 1040591
  • 1039161
  • 1173931
  • 1254161
OR

The department offers a growing number of courses at the intersection of physics and biology. Students interested in this area are encouraged to consider the following courses.

Complete at least 1 of the following Courses:
  • 2132591
  • 2212603
  • 2204251
  • 2079241
  • 2102861

Letter grade: All courses used to satisfy core requirements must be taken for a letter grade.

Double-counting: A course that appears in multiple categories may be used to satisfy only one core requirement.

Fulfill ANY of the following requirements:

Complete 33 additional units in advanced science and/or engineering courses. These may be a combination of APPPHYS290 Directed Studies in Applied Physics, one-unit courses (listed below), and other courses (listed below).

OR
Complete ALL of the following Courses:
  • 1094281
OR
Complete ANY of the following Courses:
  • 1095141
  • 1095191
  • 1243111
  • 1040691
  • 1046951

The courses listed above are just some of the one-unit seminar options students can choose from. Your academic advisor may approve other one-unit seminar courses.

OR
Complete ANY of the following Courses:
  • 1038701
  • 1405231
  • 1039041
  • 1038721
  • 1038731
  • 1040131
  • 2078521
  • 1094901