The Applied Physics program provides each student with a broad, graduate-level foundation in applied physics with degree requirements in the areas of mathematics, foundational physics, applications, laboratory work, and capstone courses. Analytic and numerical mathematics are important and students often take courses in both. Additionally, computational methods are used in many courses. Courses in electrodynamics, quantum mechanics, and thermal/statistical physics provide foundational physics. A course in classical dynamics is also available. Applications courses build on the foundational physics as well as other courses and provide breadth to the curriculum. Air Force organizations that employ our graduates consistently value the ability of the graduate to apply their knowledge to problems of interest to the organization. These problems change as the graduate moves to new Air Force organizations so they value graduates with breadth.
Also, a graduate laboratory course is required. Rather than follow specific prescribed steps, graduate labs have students make decisions about what to measure to reach a goal, design the experiment, collect and analyze data, assess the results, and communicate results through papers and talks. Finally, students take a capstone course that integrates material from other courses in the program and is focused on a specific Air Force mission, problem area, or relevant technology.
Students will take one of two educational tracks: engineering physics or space physics. Concentration in the two tracks is described below:
Degree Required: Physics or a major with at least 24 semester hours of physics. Academy graduates with Engineering Mechanics or Engineering Science are eligible. Undergraduate majors in Engineering, Meteorology, Astronomy, or Chemistry may also be approved by department review.
Mathematics Required: Ordinary Differential Equations
Test Required: GRE - 153V/148Q (within the last five years)
GPA Required: Overall - 3.0; Mathematics - 3.0; Major - 3.0
USAF Education Codes: 4KDY, Engineering Physics; 8FDD, Ionospheric Environment; 8FDY, Solar and Space Sciences (21 month); 8HCG, Lasers, Atomic and Molecular Physics; 8HCX, Atomic and Molecular Physics, Other; 8HCY, Atomic and Molecular Physics; 8HEY, Electromagnetism; 8HFG, Physics, Semiconductor Devices; 8HFX, Physics, Electronics, Other; 8HFY, Electronics; 8HHY, Engineering Physics; 8HKY, Nuclear Effects Physics; 8HLB, Nuclear Physics, Detectors; 8HLC, Nuclear Physics, Neutrons; 8HLH, Radioactive Material and Isotopes; 8HLY, Nuclear Physics; 8HMA, Atmosphere and Space Optics; 8HMH, Infrared Phenomena; 8HMJ, Lasers; 8HMY, Optics; 8HNJ, Plasma Physics; 8HOS, Semiconductors; 8HOX, Solid State Physics, Other; 8HOY, Solid State Physics; 8HOZ, Space Physics; 8HYY, Physics, General
Waivers to the above criteria may be granted on a case-by-case basis. Therefore, individuals whose academic credentials fall below any of the above criteria are encouraged to apply and allow the department to perform an academic evaluation.
Program Educational Objectives (PEOs)
The PEOs of the Applied Physics program identify desired capabilities and anticipated activities of our graduates three years after graduation:
Student Outcomes (SOs)
The SOs of the Applied Physics program identify desired capabilities and anticipated activities of our graduates upon degree completion:
Dr. Anil K. Patnaik
Degree Type: Master's
Delivery Method: In-Residence
Degree Requirements