Physical and Applied Sciences are fields that develop skills in critical thinking, analysis, and problem-solving, all of which are in high demand by employers today. Graduate study in this area enables students to pursue challenging, exciting, and productive careers.
Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia, offers the Master of Science (MS) in Physical and Applied Sciences with these two degrees:
- Master of Science (MS) in Physics (GS 80) offered by the Department of Physics
- Master of Science (MS) in Physical and Applied Sciences degree (GS 60) in cooperation with the Departments of Chemistry, Geology, Computer and Information Technology, and Mathematics.
For the Physical and Applied Sciences master’s degree, graduate students choose one area of emphasis from the following:
- Chemistry
- Geobiophysical Modeling
- Geology
- Mathematics
- Physics for Teachers
The area of emphasis in Geobiophysical Modeling is interdisciplinary, with core courses in Remote Sensing and GIS Modeling. Students may then choose from areas of concentration in Aquatic, Terrestrial, or Biophysical Systems and Models.
The Physics for Teachers area of emphasis curriculum consists entirely of asynchronous online courses, offering educators both the opportunity and the flexibility to take them anywhere, thus adding to their teaching career a new educational skill. It aims to deepen the teachers’ understanding of physics, with the goal of making this challenging subject more interesting and less intimidating to their students.
In addition to offering a wide range of areas of emphasis to choose from, students also can opt to use any coherent group of graduate courses within the science disciplines to meet the requirements for the master’s in Physical and Applied Science. This means that students who want to pursue a career or advancement in a particular industry, or who seek a particular job position, can tailor the Physical and Applied Science major to increase their specific employment opportunities.
The curriculum for the master’s in Physical and Applied Science is designed for each student.
Marshall’s affiliation with the Robert C. Byrd Institute (RCBI) provides students with a wealth of industry-relevant experiences. RCBI, West Virginia’s Manufacturing Technology Center, encourages job creation, economic development, innovation and entrepreneurship by supporting manufacturing companies of all sizes. RCBI offers leading-edge equipment use and specialized training for everyone from sole proprietors to Fortune 500 companies.
The Physics Department has a wide range of research opportunities available for graduate students.
- Civil & Environmental Consultants
- Astronomy
- Astrophysics
- Nanotechnology
- Microelectronics
- Engineering
- Chemistry
- Biophysics
Admission Requirements
Applicants should follow the admissions process described in this catalog or at the Graduate Admissions website at www.marshall.edu/graduate/admissions/how-to-apply-for-admission.
In addition:
- The applicant must have an undergraduate Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale in their major;
- Applicants with a GPA between 2.5 and 3.0 in their major may be provisionally admitted to the program.