The Master of Science Degree is offered through a thesis or a nonthesis option. In each option, advanced course work provides a base of physics training beyond typical undergraduate instruction. In the thesis option, less course work is required of a student, but they must complete a thesis describing advanced laboratory or computational research. The depth and scope of the thesis is naturally less than that of the dissertation, but provides an opportunity for student contribution to an original research project.

Graduates are prepared for research at the highest levels in academia, government laboratories, and corporate laboratories.