Evening Master's Degree Program

Scheduling and Time
The classes meet twice a week either Monday and Wednesday or Tuesday and Thursday. A student could in principle take two classes in the same day: the first starting at 5 pm and the second starting at 6:45pm or 7pm.

The program is offered during the Fall and Spring semesters with different classes offered in different semesters.

A student that takes 2 classes every semester can finish the program in 2 or 2.5 years.

Discipline in which the degree is offered
The Department of Physics and Astronomy offers a Masters Degree in Physics. We strive to produce graduates that will be able to succeed in both the local as well as the global market for technically trained individuals.

We are proud of the fact that we can offer small classes with the opportunity to interact closely with our faculty. We continue to improve our existing programs in Optics, Solid State Physics done by our Computational Materials Theory Center, Solar Physics conducted by the Department's San Fernando Solar Observatory, Nuclear Physics and the Biophysics Research conducted in our Electron Spin Resonance laboratories. These programs are supported by over $1,500,000 in external funding from the NSF, NASA, The Department of Defense, NIH and the Keck Foundation. For the serious student these programs offer many opportunities to work on state of the art research projects with our staff of dedicated faculty.

Value of the degree
Approximately 55 % of our students hold day jobs in the technological industry in the area or look for such jobs upon graduation. The students that are already employed typically have bachelor's degrees in physics or engineering and the Master's degree is a means to enhance their education in directions dictated by their job demands as well as a mechanism to get promotions in their employment. The other students have obtained jobs in places such as JPL, Boeing and Raytheon.

Probably 10 % of our graduate students are science teachers in high school who not only want to enhance their knowledge in physics but also prepare to apply for jobs at the community college level. The remaining 35 % of the students are preparing to continue to PhD programs. In the past five years our graduates have gone on to medical school and to PhD programs in universities as diverse as Iowa State, Ohio State, SUNY Buffalo, Stanford, UC Davis, UC Riverside, UC San Diego, and in particular to UCLA.

Degree Requirements

For the Master of Science Degree

1. Completion, with a B average, 30 units of approved graduate study. (Minimum 21 units of 500 and 600 level courses.)

a. Required core courses 14 units
PHYS 600 Classical Mechanics 4 units
PHYS 610 Electromagnetic Theory 4 units
PHYS 630 Statistical Physics 3 units
PHYS 650 Quantum Physics 3 units

At least three of these must be taken in residence at CSU Northridge. Students are encouraged to complete the graduate core courses early in their studies.

b. Electives (16 units)
These are to be selected, with approval, from 400, 500 and 600 level courses including Thesis (PHYS 698 3-6 units). At least 10 of these units must be in Physics.
Up to 6 units of approved courses may be in related fields: Astronomy, Chemistry, Engineering, Mathematics.

Thesis or Comprehensive Examination:
a. Students electing the thesis option must pass an oral examination in the field of the thesis.

b. Students not electing the thesis option must pass a written comprehensive examination on PHYS 600, PHYS 610, PHYS 630 and PHYS 650.

Requirements for Admission and Application Process

Admission to the University

1. Have a baccalaureate degree from an accredited university.

2. Have been in good standing at the last institute attended.

3. Have at least a 2.5 grade point average in the last 60 semester/90 quarter units attempted, independent of when the baccalaureate was granted.

The entire semester or quarter in which the 60-90 units began will be used in this calculation. Lower division courses or courses taken in extension (except in concurrent enrollment at CSUN in the upper division), after obtaining the bachelor's degree will be excluded from the calculation.

4. Submit all required applications, transcripts, test scores, and supporting information as required by Admissions and Records listed above, and the department (see below). The application materials and official application deadline can be found at www.csun.edu/anr. However, interested students are strongly encouraged to apply even though it is past the deadline. All applicants should also send an email to the graduate advisor, Dr. Miroslav Peric at miroslav.peric@.csun.edu, to inform her of your application.

Admission to the Department
1. The applicant must meet the general University admission requirements.

2. If the applicant has a bachelor's degree in physics, then a grade point average of at least 2.5 in all upper division physics lecture classes is required.

3. If the bachelor's degree is in a related field, then a grade point average of at least 2.5 in all upper division lecture classes in the major is required.

Graduate Status Descriptions

Conditionally Classified Status

Students who do not meet all requirements may, nevertheless, be accepted as CONDITIONALLY CLASSIFIED students, subject to meeting various University and departmental requirements for Classified status. It is important to achieve full Classified standing prior to completing more than 12 units of graduate work.

Classified Status

To meet the minimum for CLASSIFIED STATUS the student must fulfill the following:

1. At least a 3.0 grade point average in all work undertaken since admission to the program.

2. Score at or above the 50th percentile on one of the three portions of the aptitude test of the Graduate Record Examination^*.

3. Have a passing grade in the Upper Division Writing Proficiency Exam.

* Normally the Graduate Record Examination should be taken prior to registration for graduate work at this institution. However it can be either taken during the first year. In certain cases this requirement can be waived.

Additional Information on the activities of the Department of Physics and Astronmy can be found in the website: http://www.csun.edu/physics.

An information brochure as well as an application can be requested at:

Graduate Advisor
Professor Miroslav Peric
Department of Physics and Astronomy
California State University Northridge, CA 91330

miroslav.peric@.csun.edu

(818) 677-2944 or (818) 677-2775