Central Michigan University

      Classes are small, and students have the opportunity for close supervision and individual attention. The department has faculty active in the following areas of research: astrophysics, atomic physics, condensed matter physics, high energy phenomenology, nuclear physics, observational astronomy, polymer physics, and science education.

      Valuable collaborative research efforts exist with other CMU departments, local industries, and research centers at other universities. A biweekly seminar series brings experts with varied research interests to campus.

Master of Science

      The requirements for the M.S. in physics are based on a core of twelve semester hours in advanced mechanics, electricity and magnetism, and quantum mechanics. Three hours of seminar are required, and six hours of credit are given for the thesis. In consultation with an adviser, the student selects at least nine additional hours in areas of specific personal value. The program is normally completed in two years. There is no qualifying examination, and no foreign language is required.

      CMU is a member of the National Undergraduate Research Observatory (NURO) consortium, giving students access to a modern 31-inch telescope near Flagstaff, Arizona. Computing facilities in the department include a network of UNIX workstations, PCs and Macintoshes connected to the campus backbone. The campus mainframe is an IBM 3090-180T. Also, we are in the process of building a cluster of 16 dual Alpha EV6 750MHz workstations connected with a very fast SCI network. Support facilities include electronics and machine shops, both staffed by full-time technicians.

      A bachelor's degree in physics with a minimum grade point average of 2.6 is required for admissions to the physics graduate program. Students from non-English speaking countries are required to demonstrate proficiency in English via the TOEFL exam. Go to CMU-Admission for Admission Forms.

Graduate Assistantships

      Graduate assistants receive a 10-month stipend of $9,400 (2005 - 2006) plus tuition remission for up to 20 hours of on-campus courses taken during the academic year and subsequent summer session. Graduate teaching assistants are involved in laboratory instruction for six to eight contact hours per week. Graduate research assistants are expected to work approximately 20 hours per week on a research project.

      Applicants for graduate assistantships are strongly urged to submit GRE general and physics scores.

The application for Graduate Assistantships is now online here.

Graduate Fellowships

      Graduate Fellowships, requiring neither teaching nor research service, provide an annual stipend plus 30 hours tuition remission. Fellowship applicants must submit GRE scores. Completed fellowship applications are due by February 6. Completed assistantship applications should be received by March 1, although late applications may be considered if positions are available. More information about graduate students financial support is available at:
http://financialaid.cmich.edu