The Department of Physics
Welcome to the Graduate Program at Umass Boston

Here you will find information about the MS in Applied Physics at Umass Boston, the classes we provide for science teachers that count towards the MEd degree at UMass Boston, and also the PhD in Physics at UMass Amherst, in which you may elect to have a research adviser at UMass Boston. Below we describe research topics, sources of financial support, and examples of employers in Massachusetts who hire physics graduates. 
MS in Applied Physics
 

The nationally ranked Applied Physics Program is intended primarily to prepare students for rewarding technological careers in industrial and government research laboratories, although it also provides strong preparation for subsequent training at the doctoral level.

Who hires MS graduates in Physics? Many companies, including:

The Dana-Farber Cancer Institute  
Genworth Financial 
LEK Consulting 
LightLab Imaging 
Massachusetts General 
Newport Corporation 
State Street 
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute 
Schlumberger-Doll  

Following the initial year of course work, qualified students may opt for an internship placement in an industrial research laboratory in the area. These positions provide further training and useful job experience in preparation for a technological career. Alternatively, students may undertake a thesis involving a project in one of the research groups in the department. Faculty in the department pursue research in the following areas...
Research Topics 

Non-linear Optics and Medical Imaging
 
The research group of Prof. Rao works on Nonlinear Optics, Medical Image Processing, Nano- and Bio- Photonics, Optical Data Storage, and Optical Power Limiting and Laser Eye Protection. For recent publications and patents see Prof. Rao's homepage.		  
Non-linear Dynamics and Quantum Chaos
   
The research group of Prof. Sundaram works on nonlinear dynamics in a wide range of systems, from Bose-Einstein condensation to spin glasses. They also study the quantum-to-classical transition. For further details see Prof. Sundaram's home page and the QNDC group page.

Quantum Many-Body Systems  
   
The research group of Prof. Olshanii works on the behavior of cold atom-gasses and atoms trapped in optical lattices. They study such topics as superfluidity, phase transitions, and how closed quantum systems approach thermal equilibrium. For recent publications see Prof. Olshanii's home page.

Quantum Measurement and Control 
 
The research group of Prof. Jacobs works on  continuous quantum measurement and control, and applications in mesoscopic quantum nano-electro-mechanical systems (QNEMS) and atom optics. See Prof. Jacobs' homepage, and the QNDC page.


Semiconductor Optoelectronics
 
The research group of Prof. Sun works on nano- structures in Group-IV and III-V semiconductors, such as quantum wells and superlattices, and their applications in the design of interband and quantum cascade lasers. They also study plasmonics and phonon dynamics. See Prof. Sun's homepage.
Requirements for the MS degree
To complete the MS in applied physics requires that you take 3 theory classes, 3 laboratory classes and 1 elective class that may be either. Each class takes one semester, and each is worth 4 credits, for a total of 28 credits. In addition, you complete an on-campus thesis or an off-campus internship or research laboratory, which counts for 6 credits. The M.S. degree thus has a total of 34 credits, and usually takes 4 semesters to complete. During the course of the degree students also obtain experience and training in scientific comunication.

The M.S. classes are grouped into four clusters:  core theory classes, laboratory class, general methods and interdisciplinary classes, and classes in specific applied topics.

Core Theory Classes
611 Classical Mechanics and Fluid Mechanics
612 Electromagnetic Theory
613 Quantum Mechanics, Atomic, and Molecular Physics
614 Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics

Laboratory Classes
600 Electronic Instrumentation I: Analog
601 Electronic Instrumentation II: Digital
602 Laser Optics Laboratory
632 Advanced Laser Optics (with Laboratory)

General Methods and Interdisciplinary Classes
616 Mathematical Methods for Physicists
640 Scientific Computation
650 Introduction to Stochastic Processes

Classes in Applied Topics
609 Physics of Medical Imaging
610 Topics in Medical Imaging
615 Solid-State Physics
621 Physics of Semiconductor Materials
622 Solid-State Electronic Devices

You may mix classes from different clusters to tailor a program to your interests and future goals.
Sources of Support
Qualified students are eligible to apply for departmental teaching assistantships or research assistantships with individual faculty. Opportunities also exist for other on-campus support from programs like WISP as well as off-campus internships. 
MEd

The physics department provides two classes specifically for science teachers. These may be taken by themselves, or as part of the MEd degree at UMass Boston. These are

570 Instrumentation Laboratory for Science Teachers
571 Integrated Mathematics and Physical Science for Teachers 
PhD in Physics @ Amherst

If you are interested in doing at PhD with one of the faculty at UMass Boston, then there are two routes you can take. The first is to enrole in the PhD program at UMass Amherst. This allows you to choose your research adviser from amoung the faculty at UMass Amherst, as well at the faculty at UMass Boston. The second option is to enroll in an MS in applied physics at UMass Boston. Once you have completed your MS, given the aproval of of your adviser, you can enter the PhD programm at UMass Amherst, and complete your PhD research with your adviser at UMass Boston. For further details about either either option, contact Prof. Steven Arnason, Director of the Graduate Program at UMass Boston. For details about the requirements for the PhD at UMass Amherst, and PhD advisers at Amherst, see the Amherst Physics Department website.