Program Overview

University Program Details

The university offers M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Space Physics, with a focus on the physics of upper atmospheres, ionospheres, magnetospheres, and the interplanetary medium.

Program Overview

The program includes core physics courses and specialty courses in space physics, aeronomy, magnetospheric and auroral physics, and advanced plasma physics. The specialty courses support graduate research with faculty members at the Geophysical Institute and include areas such as numerical simulations and time-series analysis. Additional courses, such as radiative transfer and physics of fluids, provide added breadth.

Degree Requirements

• M.S. Degree: 30-33 credits
• Ph.D. Degree: 18 thesis credits

M.S. Degree Requirements

To complete the M.S. degree, students must:

• Complete the general university requirements
• Complete the master's degree requirements
• Complete four of the following courses:
  • PHYS F626: Fundamentals of Plasma Physics (3 credits)
  • PHYS F627: Advanced Plasma Physics (3 credits)
  • PHYS F629: Methods of Numerical Simulation in Fluids and Plasma (3 credits)
  • PHYS F672: Magnetospheric Physics (3 credits)
  • PHYS F673: Space Physics (3 credits)
• Complete the thesis or non-thesis requirements:
  • Thesis:
    • PHYS F699: Thesis (6-12 credits)
    • Approved PHYS electives (12 credits)
    • Minimum credits required: 30-33 credits
  • Non-Thesis:
    • Approved PHYS electives (18 credits)
    • PHYS F698: Research (3-6 credits)
    • Minimum credits required: 30-33 credits

Research Areas

The program supports graduate research in areas such as:

• Numerical simulations
• Time-series analysis
• Radiative transfer
• Physics of fluids
• Space physics
• Aeronomy
• Magnetospheric and auroral physics
• Advanced plasma physics