MASTER OF SCIENCE IN PHYSICS-OPTIONS

A. PREPARATION FOR DOCTORAL WORK

Many students enroll in the M.S. program in physics in order to test their ability to do doctoral work in the field. In this respect, the course work and research experiences that are offered at Bowling Green provide an excellent opportunity to do this. Any student wishing to pursue a doctoral degree upon receiving the Master of Science degree here is strongly advised to enroll in the Plan I (thesis) option. It has been the experience of many M.S. graduates of this program that the experience gained in completing the thesis research is invaluable in their future doctoral program.

A sample two-year doctoral preparation program leading to the M. S. degree is given below:


FIRST YEAR

Fall Semester

PHYS    601     Techniques of Experimental Physics          3
PHYS    603     Advanced Electrodynamics                    3
PHYS    528     Microcomputer Interfacing                   3 *
PHYS    606     Techniques of Computational Physics         2
PHYS    681     Research Seminar                            2
                                                         ______
                                                           13

Spring Semester

PHYS    605     Advanced Classical & Quantum Mechanics      4
PHYS    613     Signal Processing                           3 *
PHYS    684     Readings Course in Topic of Interest        3
PHYS    699     Thesis Research                             1
PHYS    681     Research Seminar                            1
                                                         ______
                                                           12
* Recommended for students wishing to pursue an experimental thesis

Summer Semester

PHYS    610     Advanced Solid State Physics or CS elect.   3
PHYS    699     Thesis Research                          9-12
                                                         _____
                                                           12

SECOND YEAR

Fall Semester

PHYS    681     Research Seminar                            1
PHYS    699     Thesis Research & elective                 11
                                                        ______
                                                           12

Spring Semester

PHYS     681    Research Seminar                            1
PHYS     699    Thesis Research & elective                 11
                                                         _____
                                                           12


B. RADIOLOGICAL PHYSICS SPECIALIZATION

The Radiological Physics specialization is designed for students who want to enter the field of medical physics as a professional or who seek adequate preparation for pursuing the doctorate in this field. Offered in conjunction with the Medical College of Ohio in Toledo, the program provides the theoretical background and specific technical experience in the uses of radiation and other non-invasive physical techniques in medical applications.

Medical physics is a branch of applied physics which is concerned with the applications of physical energy, concepts and methods to the diagnosis and treatment of human disease. Medical physicists are usually employed in hospitals, other medical care facilities, and medical equipment industries. There is a steadily growing demand for persons trained in this field.

The Medical College of Ohio (MCO) currently offers a doctoral program in Medical Sciences. Students who concentrate their studies in medical physics require a solid grounding in the basic physical principles involved in the practice of the profession. This preparation is best met by the standard M.S. program in physics, augmented by several specialized courses.

A sample two-year program leading to the M.S. degree with specialization in Radiological Physics is given below:

FIRST YEAR

Fall Semester

PHYS    601     Techniques of Experimental Physics          3
PHYS    603     Advanced Electrodynamics                    3
PHYS    528     Microcomputer Interfacing                   3
PHYS    606     Techniques of Computational Physics         2
PHYS    681     Research Seminar                            1
                                                         _______
                                                           12

Spring Semester

PHYS    605     Advanced Classical & Quantum Mechanics  4
PHYS    613     Signal Processing                           3
PHYS    N682    Atomic and Nuclear Physics                  3
MCO     606.15  Introduction to Radiological Physics        1
PHYS    681     Research Seminar                            1
                                                         ______
                                                           12

Summer Semester

BIOL    331     Human Anatomy & Physiology I            3 **
BIOL    332     Human Anatomy & Physiology II           3 **

SECOND YEAR

Fall Semester

MCO     681.20  Radioisotope Methodology                    3
MCO     605.16  Radiation Dosimetry (elective)              2
PHYS    681     Research Seminar                            1
PHYS    691     Directed Research                           2
PHYS    617     Data Telecommunications                     3
CS elective
     OR
PHYS    699     Thesis Research                             3
                                                         ______
                                                           14

Spring Semester

PHYS    681     Research Seminar                            1
PHYS    691     Directed Research                           2
PHYS    529     Microelectronics Project                    2
MCO     605.15  Radiation Protection                        2
CS electives
      OR
PHYS    699     Thesis Research                             6
                                                          ______
                                                           13

** Courses intended to fill gaps in background in biological sciences


Please refer to the Physics and Astronomy Courses for more complete descriptions of courses.

Robert I. Boughton
Chair, Dept. of Physics and Astronomy
Director, Center for Materials Science
Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH 43403
(419)372-2421::FAX (419)372-9938