2023-2024 Catalog

Nov 21, 2024

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2023-2024 Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Letters, Arts & Sciences Master of Sciences Degree Program (MSc)

The following departments offer a Master of Sciences degree:

Requirements for Admission

General regulations for admission to the Graduate School apply.

The regulations can be found in the Graduate School Policies and Procedures.

Each program has its own admission criteria. Please refer to each option’s criteria.

How to Apply

Applications are submitted online.

Application information can be found on the Graduate School Admissions Webpage.

Contact your program of interest for specific admission requirements.

Requirements for MSc Degree

Each program has its own standards for the MSc degree. All requirements are subject to the general regulations of the Graduate School.

Biology Option

The Program

The Department of Biology offers a program leading to the degree of Master of Sciences (MSc) with options in Molecular & Cellular Biology, and Ecology & Evolution. Graduate students must take at least one course from another science discipline (e.g., physics, chemistry, mathematics, geography), providing students with a diverse curriculum and an understanding of how various science disciplines relate to each other.

This interdisciplinary program offers students a broad science education with few restrictive requirements compared to traditional graduate science programs. It allows for development of a plan based on individual needs.

The MSc degree is designed for students intending to become professional biologists. The standard MSc degree plan requires a research-based thesis and is appropriate for those seeking advanced graduate work or those seeking employment in biology-related fields.

In consultation with the Faculty Advisor, students may choose to focus their graduate studies in one of the following options:

Ecology and Evolution
Molecular and Cellular Biology

Admission Requirements

New students start the MSc program the fall semester of each academic year. Application materials are due by December 15th each year.

Applicants are evaluated based on their past achievements and statement of interests and future goals. An applicant will only be accepted into the program if a faculty member agrees to serve as the Faculty Advisor during the application review process. Applicants are strongly encouraged to review the research interests of Biology faculty and contact potential research advisors before beginning the application process.

Requirements for regular admission

A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited College or University
An undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher
Completion of at least 20 hours of coursework in Biology or a closely related discipline
- Applicants not meeting this requirement may alternatively demonstrate proficiency in Biology by scoring >49th percentile on GRE Biology Subject Test
The GRE General Test and GRE Biology Subject Test are not required, but applicants may submit scores if they feel it strengthens their application
All applicants whose native language is not English must meet a minimum standard of English proficiency. It is expected that students understand to read, write and communicate effectively in English to be successful in the Graduate Biology Program
- Applicants will be considered to have the required English language proficiency if they meet one of the following criteria:
  - Hold a post-secondary degree from a U.S. accredited institution or in a program where English is the language of instruction
    OR
  - Test of English Foreign Language (TOEFL) score that meets the minimum requirement of 85
    OR
  - International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score that meets the minimum requirement of 6.5
    OR
  - Successful Completion of a UCCS approved English language training program

Required application materials

All applications should be submitted using the online graduate application: https://graduateschool.uccs.edu/prospective-students/admissions The application requires:

Resume or curriculum vitae
One copy of official transcripts from all institutions of higher education attended.
Three letters of recommendation. The names of those recommending the applicant are included in the online application. Once the application has been submitted, they will be contacted by UCCS for their recommendation letter.
Statement of past accomplishments and goals

Transfer credits

University of Colorado System: Up to 12 credit hours of appropriate upper-level course work with a grade of B or better that are not counted toward a degree and earned at any CU campus may be requested for transfer into the MSc program. Double counting of undergraduate and graduate courses is not allowed. These credit hours are computed into the students’ graduate GPA but the undergraduate transcripts remain unchanged (i.e., there is no physical movement of courses on the transcripts).

Outside Institutions: Up to 9 credit hours of appropriate upper-level course work with a grade of B or better that are not counted toward a degree and completed at an institution other than the University of Colorado may be requested for transfer into the MSc program. These credit hours are not computed into the students’ graduate GPA.

Provisional admission

Under certain circumstances, applicants not meeting the criteria for admission as a regular degree student may be recommended by the faculty for admission as a ‘provisional admission’ student. The department may assign course work and/or examinations that must be taken to make up deficiencies. When the conditions for regular status are met, the Program Advisor will reclassify the student to regular status.

Biology Option Degree Requirements

The MSc Program in Biology usually requires 2-3 years to complete, but is dependent on student progress.

In addition to coursework, students must complete a research-based thesis to earn the MSc. degree.

Research requires dedication, time, and flexibility. Students should be prepared to devote considerable time and effort to their research. This may involve working long hours in the lab or field, potentially including evenings and weekends in order to finish within the 2-3 year time frame.

It is important that students discuss research expectations with their Faculty Advisor before starting the program.

Students who plan on continuing their education by applying to a professional school (e.g., veterinary, medical and dental school) or to graduate school (towards a Ph.D.) should be aware that many of these schools do not accept students until they have completed the MSc.

Completing the MSc in Biology degree

Timeline of important events

Before the start of the first semester (or soon after), the student should meet with his/her Faculty Advisor to:
- Plan a research project
- Select a graduate committee to advise the student during his/her tenure as a graduate student
- Determine the coursework appropriate for his/her plan of study, including plans for enrollment in Biol 5010
No later than the end of the second semester of enrollment in the program the student must give his/her thesis oral proposal presentation (see below)
In the final semester:
- The student must enroll in Biol 9990, Candidate for Degree, the semester he/she defends the thesis or project if not enrolled in any other course. If the student has previously defended the thesis or project, and all coursework has been completed, then enrollment in Biol 9990 is not required.
- Complete all paperwork required by the graduate school. The Schedule of Deadlines can be found here: https://graduateschool.uccs.edu/current-students/graduating-this-semester
- Note, the online Admission to Candidacy form is completed by the student and emailed to the Biology MSc Advisor. After approving the form, the MSc Advisor will submit it to the Graduate School for final approval.
- Any problems found by the Graduate School must be addressed and corrected before the student can graduate.

For more information regarding topics such as Faculty Advisor, Graduate Committee, Course Requirements, Thesis, Safety & Compliance, and Leave of Absence please refer to the Graduate Biology Handbook.

Access the Handbook here!

Chemistry Option

We welcome your interest in the Master of Sciences programs in Chemistry and Biochemistry at UCCS! We offer the MSc-Chemistry option and MSc-Biochemistry option. For both options, a student can fulfill the requirements of the research track with completion of a thesis OR complete the requirements of the course track (non-thesis).

Admission Requirements

Admission to the MSc program requires that the student meet the following requirements:

Has attained a Bachelors degree in chemistry, biochemistry, or related major* (students in related majors must complete core requirements of UCCS BA degrees in chemistry or biochemistry) from an accredited college or university, and
Has an undergraduate cumulative GPA of 3.00 or higher for regular admission or GPA of 2.75-3.00 for provisional admission.
If a student desires the research track, a research faculty mentor must agree to mentor the applicant prior to admission.

International students: The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry welcomes you! We will accept either path for demonstrating English proficiency for non-native English speakers seeking admission to the program:

Bachelors or post-secondary degree from a US-accredited institution or program where English is the language of instruction, or
Demonstrated proficiency in English with earned scores of 100 on the TOEFL, 7 on the iELTS, or 120 on Duolingo.

Admission Process

Students apply through the Graduate School website and pay the $60 application fee. The following application materials must be uploaded through the application portal by the following deadlines:

Description of application types	Application Type*
	Regular	Streamlined	AMP + Streamlined	International	Provisional
	Applicants with GPA of 3.0 or better	UCCS alumni with GPA > 3.2 (completed your degree within the last 4 years and completed 45 credits at UCCS)	Current approved AMP students with GPA > 3.2	Applicants who are not US citizens or do not yet hold a US Permanent Resident status	Students with a GPA between 2.75 and 3.0
Deadlines	April 15th (research and course track) for FALL admission; Sept 15th (research and course track) for SPRING admission Applications for Financial Support are due by April 15th for support beginning the following academic year
Application materials	Application requirements
GPA requirement?	3.0 or above	3.2 or above	3.2 or above	3.0 or above	2.75 - 3.00
Personal statement?	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
General GRE required with combined scores above 50th percentile?	Waived for UCCS alumni OR non-UCCS alumni with GPA > 3.3	No	No	Yes	Waived for UCCS alumni
Letters of recommendation & number needed	Yes - 4	Yes - 2	Yes - 2	Yes - 4	Yes - 4
Transcripts?	Yes - official from all institutions	Unofficial UCCS transcripts	Unofficial UCCS transcripts	Yes: We recommend that your transcript be evaluated by a NACES.org member. Transcripts evaluated by ECE or WES are considered to be official.	Yes - official from all institutions (non-UCCS) or unofficial UCCS transcript
Additional requirements?				Please review the information for International Students to ensure that you have met visa requirements.	Provisional students are required to take two CHEM 5000-level courses and earn a grade of B or better in both to be considered regular admission students.

*Contact the Graduate Program Director if you are unsure of which application type you should submit.

Chemistry Option Degree Requirements

Overview (Research Track)

The objective of the research track (thesis) MSc program is to provide extensive training in research, with options in Chemistry or Biochemistry. This degree track is intended for students whose career goals align with obtaining a research or technical position in industry, seeking additional graduate training in a doctoral program, or desiring to strengthen critical thinking and scientific writing skills.

Program Learning Objectives

Upon completion of the research track MSc, students will be able to:

Explore graduate-level coursework in chemistry or biochemistry to increase depth and breadth within disciplines of chemistry or biochemistry,
Describe recent advances chemistry or biochemistry,
Develop a hypothesis, design experiments to test that hypothesis, and carry out experiments with evaluation of resultant data,
Hone research skills and develop best practices regarding laboratory notebook upkeep and data management,
Communicate clearly in written and oral formats,
Search for, read critically, evaluate, and summarize peer-reviewed manuscripts in the scientific literature, and
Identify, discuss, and propose solutions for scientific problems.

Program Requirements

During the application process, the student applicant should identify a potential research mentor (see list above). To be admitted to the program, a research advisor must agree to the student applicant working in their research program.

Admitted research track students will work with his or her research advisor and the Graduate Program Director to develop a proposed course schedule of 12 credits (four graduate-level courses, see example program plan above) and a thesis committee. The thesis committee consists the student’s research advisor and two or three faculty members appointed to the Graduate School faculty. At least one other committee member must be a faculty member in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, and the remaining faculty member may be in a closely allied department. The thesis committee will advise the student through the program requirements including research progress, two required seminars in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry seminar series (Introduction to Project and Plan to Finish), and will administer the thesis defense required for the MSc degree.

Additionally, the research track program has the following requirements:

All courses must be taken at the graduate-level.
We recommend that students take three one-credit courses: CHEM 6010 (Research Methods - Fall only), CHEM 6020 (Journal Club - Spring only), and CHEM 6030 (Project Seminar - Fall and Spring).
Of the remaining 27 credits of the program, research track students must take:
- Twelve credit hours of coursework (at least three courses must be taken in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry)
- Nine credit hours of research (CHEM 5904)
- Six hours of thesis (CHEM 7000) Thesis defense exam (open to the public)

Evaluation of Progress

To remain in good standing, research track MSc students must do the following:

Maintain an average 3.00 GPA in graduate-level coursework, and earn a 3.00 or above in all courses to be counted towards the MSc degree in Chemistry or Biochemistry. If the overall GPA falls below 3.00, the student will be placed on academic probation. Two consecutive semesters of academic probation standing will result in dismissal from the program.
Meet with the MSc advisor and/or Graduate Program Director each semester to report on progress in coursework, items of concern, and/or program requirements.
Present two seminars (Introduction to Project and Plan to Finish) in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry seminar series.

Additional Stipulations

The research track MSc option is not the best fit for students who don’t enjoy doing research or don’t plan to find a research or technical position after graduating.
Students pursuing this degree track are eligible for the Graduate Teaching Assistantship program and are encouraged to apply for a position in that program!
Full-time graduate students already admitted and currently enrolled in the research track in chemistry or biochemistry who wish to switch to the course track are welcome to do so. They must first seek approval from their research advisor, the Graduate Program Director, and the Chair of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. Three credits of research (CHEM 5904) may count towards the course track requirements. If a student has already taken three credits of CHEM 7000 (thesis), these credits will be counted in place of CHEM 7050. However, a student must still complete the Library Research Paper requirement and present that research paper!
Current students on the course track wishing to switch to the research track are eligible to do so. Please meet with the Graduate Program Director to map out a new degree plan on the research track. Please understand that the research track requires four courses (twelve credits) in addition to the recommended CHEM 6010, 6020, and 6030. Research (nine credits) and thesis (six credits) make up the remaining credits of that program.
The course track requires no laboratory research work, and the only laboratory training that students will receive comes from graduate-level laboratory courses. If a student wants in-depth laboratory experience, the research track is the better fit.
The curriculum for each student will be different. The course plan will be determined for each student in the beginning of the program.

Overview (Course Track)

The objective of the course track (non-thesis) MSc program is to provide an alternative pathway for students to complete an MSc degree, with options in Chemistry or Biochemistry, without completing an in-depth research project and thesis. This degree track is intended for students whose career goals or current work responsibilities lower the desirability of conducting the required 15 credit-requirement of research and thesis credits of the research track. This course degree track is well suited for non-traditional students, K-12 teachers, or employees of local industry who want to earn the MSc degree for career progression.

Program Learning Objectives

Upon completion of the course track MSc, students will be able to:

Explore graduate-level coursework in chemistry or biochemistry to increase depth and breadth within disciplines of chemistry or biochemistry,
Describe recent advances chemistry or biochemistry,
Communicate clearly in written and oral formats,
Search for, read critically, evaluate, and summarize peer-reviewed manuscripts in the scientific literature, and
Identify, discuss, and propose solutions for scientific problems.

Program Requirements

Students on the course track are required to take 30 credit hours of graduate-level coursework according to the following requirements:

All courses must be taken at the graduate-level.
We recommend that students take three one-credit courses: CHEM 6010 (Research Methods - Fall only), CHEM 6020 (Journal Club - Spring only), and CHEM 6030 (Project Seminar - Fall and Spring).
All course track students must take CHEM 7050, Masters Project, in their final semester of the program. More information about this course is provided below.
Of the remaining 24 credit hours of the program, students must take:
- At least 18 credit hours of lecture or laboratory courses in chemistry or biochemistry at UCCS. Three credits of CHEM 5904 (Research) may count towards the credit requirement of the course track MSc.
- Up to six credit hours of 5000-level coursework in a related discipline, such as biology, physics, or mathematics, may be counted towards the credit requirement if approved by the MSc advisor and Graduate Program Director.

In consultation with the Graduate Program Director, the course track MSc student will choose an MSc advisor while in the first semester of the program. The student will prepare a course plan in consultation with their advisor, which will be approved by the Graduate Program Director. This tentative course plan must be completed by the end of the first semester in the program. Please see the example program plan above as a guide for planning.

Evaluation of Progress

To remain in good standing, course track MSc students must do the following:

Maintain an average 3.00 GPA in graduate-level coursework, and earn a 3.00 or above in all courses to be counted towards the MSc degree in Chemistry or Biochemistry. If the overall GPA falls below 3.00, the student will be placed on academic probation. Two consecutive semesters of academic probation standing will result in dismissal from the program.
Meet with the MSc advisor and/or Graduate Program Director each semester to report on progress in coursework, items of concern, and/or program requirements.
Complete CHEM 7050 and present in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry seminar series.

Additional Stipulations

The course track MSc option is not the best fit for students who desire a research or technical position in industry or wish to go on to a doctoral program.
Students pursuing this degree track are eligible for the Graduate Teaching Assistantship program and are encouraged to apply for a position in that program!
Full-time graduate students already admitted and currently enrolled in the research track in chemistry or biochemistry who wish to switch to the course track are welcome to do so. They must first seek approval from their research advisor, the Graduate Program Director, and the Chair of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. Three credits of research (CHEM 5904) may count towards the course track requirements. If a student has already taken three credits of CHEM 7000 (thesis), these credits will be counted in place of CHEM 7050. However, a student MUST still complete the Library Research Paper requirement and present that research paper!
Current students on the course track wishing to switch to the research track are eligible to do so. Please meet with the Graduate Program Director to map out a new degree plan on the research track. Please understand that the research track requires four courses (twelve credits) in addition to the recommended CHEM 6010, 6020, and 6030. Research (nine credits) and thesis (six credits) make up the remaining credits of that program.
The course track requires no laboratory research work, and the only laboratory training that students will receive comes from graduate-level laboratory courses. If a student wants in-depth laboratory experience, the research track is the better fit.
The curriculum for each student will be different. The course plan will be determined for each student in the beginning of the program.

Mathematics Option

The Master of Sciences (MSc) with Mathematics Emphasis Program is a cross-disciplinary program leading to the Master of Sciences degree. It provides an opportunity to extend and broaden training in the natural sciences, physical sciences, and mathematics. For more information on this graduate program, please contact the department’s Graduate Chair. All courses credited toward the degree after admission must be taken at the University of Colorado, at the Colorado Springs, Denver, Health Sciences, or Boulder campuses, over a maximum of five years or six successive summers.

Requirements for Admission

The admission criteria include but are NOT limited to the following requirements. Any decision regarding admission is made by the Graduate Committee on an individual basis, after taking into consideration the application material and supporting documents.

Must hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university.
Must have completed at least 40 semester hours in the natural sciences and mathematics, including one year of calculus. Students may be admitted to the program with a deficiency in mathematics, but must remedy the deficiency within one year after admission, with a grade of B or better.
Must have a GPA of 3.00 or higher, on a 4.00 scale. A student with an undergraduate grade point average below 3.00 may be considered for admission, subject to approval by the Graduate Committee.
Must submit GRE General Test scores, from the most recent test, taken within the last 2 years. A percentile of 80 or higher is recommended on the Quantitative Reasoning portion.
International applicants must demonstrate English language proficiency and submit additional documentation, as specified on the Applications page.

See also the admission requirements of the Graduate School.

Please visit the Applications page to apply.

Mathematics Option Degree Requirements

Requirements for Master of Sciences Degree

General regulations of the Graduate School governing the award of a Master’s degree apply, except as modified below.

30-36 semester hours of science or mathematics courses are required.
All courses must be taken from approved Graduate School faculty members.
24 or more hours in science or mathematics must be from courses numbered 5000 or above.
Because not all courses will be appropriate for all programs, students should first consult with their advisor before enrolling. An academic plan should be completed during the student’s first semester.
Courses at the 3000 and 4000 levels will be accepted toward the degree only with grades of A or B. Courses at the 5000 and 6000 levels will be accepted toward the degree with grades of A, B, or C. Students must have a B average in all courses taken subsequent to admission to the program, including courses not actually required for the degree.
Students must select either the Thesis or the Non-Thesis option.
Thesis Option: 30 semester hours, including a minimum of 6 hours of thesis credit. At least 15 semester hours must be at the graduate level in the primary department. A minimum of three credit hours must be taken from a secondary department. Student must write a thesis on their research, give a presentation, and defend their thesis before a thesis defense committee. Please consult the Graduate Chair and the Graduate School for the Thesis and Dissertation Guidelines and Manual.
Non-Thesis Option: 30 semester hours. At least 15 semester hours must be at the graduate level in the primary department. A minimum of three credit hours must be taken from a secondary department. Student must complete a paper describing a project on a mathematical topic, approved by the Graduate Committee. The final paper must be approved by the Graduate Committee.

Mathematics Program Requirements

Students must complete a minimum of 24 semester hours of 5000 level (or above) courses, 15 of which must be courses offered by the Mathematics Department.
Students must complete (with a grade of B or better) the following courses (or equivalent ones): MATH 4140 - Modern Algebra I and MATH 4310 - Modern Analysis I.
Students who took MATH 4140 and MATH 4310 (or equivalent courses) for their undergraduate degrees, and passed them with a grade of B or better, must take two other mathematics courses at the 4000 level or above, which have not been previously applied toward another degree. The minimum GPA requirements for the MSc degree apply to these courses.
Students must complete a minimum of 3 credit hours at the 3000-level (or above) from a secondary department.
Students must arrange for faculty advisor during the first or second semester after admission. The student, together with the advisor, will decide on the details for the paper or thesis. For the thesis option, the student should form a thesis committee that should be approved by the Graduate Committee. For the non-thesis option, the faculty advisor will oversee the student’s progress on the paper and approve the final version, which will have to be approved by the Graduate Committee. To formally arrange for the advisor, the student should contact the Graduate Chair of the Mathematics Department.
The paper should be submitted to the Graduate Committee for final approval by: (I) the week before Thanksgiving break during Fall semesters, or (II) the week before Spring break during Spring semesters.

Physics Option

Admission Forms

Admission documents into the MSc program are consistent with those specified by the UCCS Graduate School. These admission documents required of applicants are as follows:

Official transcripts of all previous graduate and undergraduate work
3 letters of recommendation
1 goal statement
Apply through UCCS Admissions online form
Deadlines: July 1 for fall semester, December 1 for spring semester, May 1st for summer semester

For more information on our Graduate programs, prospective students should contact the Graduate Co-Adviser Prof. Anatoliy Pinchuk. (Effective from 01/01/2021 please contact Kristen Petersen)

Students already in the program should contact the Graduate Co-Adviser, Assoc. Prof. Kathrin Spendier for information on procedures.

For more information on the application process, please contact Admissions or the UCCS Graduate School.

Admission Requirements

Applicants with a BA or BS in physics or in a related area, such as chemistry, computer science, electrical engineering or mathematics, are natural candidates for graduate study in physics.
A BS or BA degree from a college or university of recognized standing, or work equivalent to that required for such a degree and equivalent to the degree given at this university is required.
Considerable course work in physics is needed.
Sufficient mathematical background is required, i.e. at least two semesters of mathematics beyond the normal calculus sequence, such as differential equations and mathematical methods of physics.
Promise of ability to pursue advanced study and research is required.
Minimum undergraduate grade point average is at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.

Students with an undergraduate grade point average of less than 3.0 but at or above 2.5, or students with an inadequate background, may be allowed into the program provisionally. This decision would be made by the UCCS Physics Graduate Student Committee. Provisional status would subsequently be removed and a student given regular standing after completion of nine hours of graduate courses with a 3.0 average (or better).
Students meeting these minimum requirements are not automatically guaranteed admission to our program.

Additional requirements for some students

Students with international transcripts must take the Physics GRE exam. A minimum score for regular admission is in the range of 520-550.
Applicants for whom English is a second language must complete the TOEFL exam with a minimum score of 560 (paper-based exam) or 83 (internet-based exam) or 220 (internet-based exam). A band score of 6.5 on the IELTS is also acceptable. If the student has successfully completed one year of full-time academic study at a U.S. institution, this requirement can be waived. An oral interview may also be required, as the department sees fit.
Promising students who do not meet all of the requirements may be considered as provisional applicants

Transfer Student Requirements

Students who are transferring from other physics graduate programs must meet the minimum standards outlined above and, in addition, have a 3.0 average (or better) in all graduate work done previously. Full credit, up to nine hours (normally one semester of full-time course work), will be given for course work done previously, assuming the prior work is done at accredited institutions with approved programs. Course equivalency will be decided by the UCCS Physics Graduate Student Committee after interviewing the student and comparing textbooks, class notes, or any other helpful documentation.

Physics Option Degree Requirements

Degree Requirements for Graduation

30 hours of course work, either 24 credit hours of course work plus six hours of thesis work (the thesis option) or 30 credit hours of course work without a thesis (the non thesis option).
Regular degree students must maintain at least a 3.0 grade point average each semester or summer term on all work taken, whether or not it is to be applied toward the advanced degree intended. Students who fail to maintain this standard of performance will be subject to suspension from the Graduate School
The Master’s Comprehensive Exam is an exit oral exam that must be passed by all students. Students electing the thesis option may substitute an oral defense of their thesis. Students in the non-thesis option are required to write a short (15 page, double-spaced) typed paper summarizing either some original research or summarizing a research topic in current physics. The paper should be at a graduate physics level. The exam consists of a 30-40 minute presentation of the paper with questions on the topic from the faculty. More details can be found in the UCCS Physics Master handbook.
The committees for exit exams will consist of three members of the graduate faculty, one of whom is the student’s advisor. The other two members will typically be from the physics department, but one may be selected from a related discipline such as electrical engineering, mathematics, computer science or chemistry. The student’s physics faculty adviser is in charge of selecting the committee.

Degree Options

Thesis and Non-Thesis: For the thesis option, the student must take 24 credit hours. Thesis work is an additional six hours (three credits per semester) for a total of 30 credit hours. The non-thesis option requires 30 credit hours from the approved courses. For the thesis option, students are strongly encouraged to identify a Physics faculty adviser for their research when they start in the program, whose research interests match those of the student. They are also encouraged to start work on the thesis immediately.

Concentration areas: In order to design a more specialized degree, students may concentrate a couple of their courses in areas outside of physics. Concentration areas could include space studies, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, geography, computer science, applied mathematics or other graduate disciplines. These concentration areas might be appropriate for students who have very well-defined career objectives which require a combination of physics with another discipline. Students should consult with the Physics graduate program advisor to establish a course sequence for the MSc degree. Most courses should be taken from Physics

UCCS Physics Masters Handbook

More information, including guidelines for thesis, thesis defense, 15 page paper, and comprehensive exam can be found in the handbook here. Please read the handbook for all the policies relating to the Masters degree.