Applied Physics

The purpose of the master’s program is to further develop knowledge and skills in applied physics and to prepare students for a professional career or doctoral studies. This is achieved through completion of courses, in the primary field as well as related areas, and experience with independent work and specialization.  45 units of completed course work in science and/or engineering at Stanford are required for the MS degree. There is no thesis component in the MS program. A student pursuing a doctoral program may file for an MS degree en route to the PhD. The Department does not provide financial support for candidates admitted to the terminal MS. Degree program. 

The minimum requirements for the degree are 45 units, of which at least 39 units must be graduate-level courses in applied physics, engineering, mathematics, and physics. The required program consists of the following:

1. Courses in Physics and Mathematics to overcome deficiencies, if any, in undergraduate preparation.

2. Basic graduate courses (letter grade required):

   • 33 units of additional advanced courses in science and/or engineering. May be any combination of APPPHYS 290 Directed Studies in Applied Physics​, any 1-unit course, and regular courses. At least 18 of these 33 units must be taken for a letter grade. 15 of these 18 units must be at the 200-level or above. Only 6 units below the 200-level are permitted without approval by the Applied Physics Graduate Study Committee.

3. A final overall grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 (B) is required for courses used to fulfill degree requirements.

There are no department nor University examinations. There is no thesis component. If a student is admitted to the M.S. program only, but later wishes to change to the Ph.D. program, the student must apply to the department's admissions committee.

Requirements

• Completed on-line application form
• Application fee. Payment by credit card (Visa or MasterCard only).
• Two original transcripts from each of the previous institutions of higher learning attended.  For colleges and/or universities that are able to send Certified Electronic Transcripts (E-Transcripts), ask your Records/Registrar’s Office to e-mail the transcripts to claireni@stanford.edu.
• Three letters of recommendation – must be submitted using the online service.  Letters cannot be e-mailed or faxed, per University policy, unless an exception has been made by the Applied Physics Graduate Admissions Committee.
• Statement of purpose
• GRE (verbal, quantitative, analytical, and subject).  Use Code 4704 for the Institutional Code.  A Department Code is not needed.  PhD applications will be considered only if regular and subject (Physics) GRE scores are available.  Subject GRE is not required for the MS degree application.
• TOEFL (required by the University of all international applicants). Refer to the Graduate Admissions Office Websitefor details.