Jul 15, 2024

Graduate Catalog 2023 - 2024

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Graduate Catalog 2023 - 2024 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Physics, MS

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The Optics and Materials Specialization of this program is not accepting new admits as of the Summer 24 semester.

Department of Physics

Science Building 112
(216) 687-2425
https://artsandsciences.csuohio.edu/physics/physics

Petru S. Fodor, Chair

Areas of Study

Applied Physics
Optics and Materials
Medical Physics

Introduction

Currently, there is tremendous growth in optics, condensed matter, materials physics, quantum computation and biological/medical physics caused by rapid developments in the fields of material science, quantum and semiconductor devices, imaging, and applications of physics in biology and medicine. The Physics Department of Cleveland State University offers an MS degree in Physics, with emphasis on optics & materials and applied physics designed for applied scientists and engineers who wish to develop competence in these rapidly advancing fields through a strong professional graduate program. The CSU’s MS in Physics program was ranked 5^th in the country by the American Institute of Physics in one of its focus reports (AIP - Focus On 04-2014 report).

Current Research

Surface Physics: Scanning probe microscopy used to examine nanoscale physics at surfaces. Surfaces are interesting because surface atoms do not have as many bonds as atoms in the bulk of a crystal, which can affect their properties, including magnetism and electronic conductivity. Further, the arrangement of atoms on a surface has profound implications for devices because how new atoms arrange on a surface can affect how abrupt an interface between two materials is or how ordered the next layer of atoms are.

High-Resolution Imaging: Develop experimental methodologies and image processing strategies for minimally invasive high resolution optical and electron microcopy imaging.

Macromolecular Crystallography: X-Ray studies of crystallized biologically and chemically interesting molecules, for designing molecules with specific biological activities for developing drugs.

Experimental Solid-State Physics: Current topics in the electronic properties and possible applications of novel materials include intercalated graphite fibers, conductor-insulator composites, and thin-film materials. Most measurements involve low-temperature and/or high-pressure techniques.

Experimental Optics: Laser spectroscopy is being used to study diffusional processes. Presently, aggregation processes that result in the formation of fractal aggregates and phase transitions in liquid mixtures and micro emulsions are under investigation. The optical properties of various polymer materials also are being studied using laser techniques.

Statistical Physics: Phase transitions in liquid mixtures, glasses, polymers, superconductors, and magnets are being studied by applying modern techniques such as the renormalization group. Statistical physics methods are applied to cognitive science, health sciences, and polymer processing.

Computational Biophysics: Explore biological systems through theoretical and computational methods for biosensing, synthetic biology, biophysics, and materials sciences applications. Tools used include molecular dynamics, coarse-grained modeling, analytical modeling, stochastic methods and agent-based simulations. Biological systems under investigation include DNA molecules and proteins, DNA origamis, bimolecular complexes, microtubules, and active matter.

Experimental Biophysics: Epithelial mechanosensation and mechanotransduction; fluid flow sensing by the primary cilium. Methods include: perfused tissue culture, live cell imaging, optical trapping, electrophysiology, molecular biology.

Fluid Dynamics and Mixing: Understanding the fluid flow and its interaction with geometrical structures is critical in the design and performance optimization of chemical and biological synthesis and analysis systems. Computational modeling and experimental investigations are employed to a broad range of applied problems that require the manipulation of fluids, ranging from the optimization of mixing in microfluidic devices, to the fluid flow mapping in polymer extruders, and the development of efficient microreactors.

Atmospheric Physics: The Earth’s atmosphere exhibits many different aspects of physics, ranging from radiative transfer to fluid dynamics and thermodynamics. Our group uses high-resolution computer simulations (LES), as well as observational data, to study atmospheric flow, in particular the turbulent structure of the atmospheric boundary layer and boundary layer clouds.

Current faculty information can be located on the Cleveland State University Physics Department webpage.

Applied Physics Specialization

Introduction

The MS in Physics - Applied Physics specialization allows scientists and engineers to pursue coursework and research that emphasize concepts and techniques particularly appropriate for applied physics. The program offers courses in optics, materials, biophysics, environmental physics, imaging and modeling/theory to prepare students for a broad range of professional industrial and academic positions. Experiential learning through research projects and the ability to take classes outside of the department enable students to customize their coursework to gain the knowledge needed to their specific career path.

Admission Information

To be considered for admission to the MS in Physics - Applied Physics specialization students must meet the College of Graduate Studies requirements for admission and have an undergraduate degree in physics, mathematics, chemistry, engineering, or an allied field. Students with deficient backgrounds are required to register for additional coursework to remove deficiencies, per the recommendation of the graduate advisor.

Financial Support

Student support is available through a limited number of graduate assistantships. These are awarded at the discretion of the department. Decisions on these are made by the Department Chair and the Department Graduate Committee.

Degree Requirements

A minimum of 32 credits are required as follows:

5 PHY grad courses, except PHY 598 /699
At least 6 credits of research PHY 598 /thesis PHY 699
PHY or other STEM courses 500 level or above to achieve 32 credit hours, approved by the graduate advisor.

Optics and Materials Specialization

Introduction

Currently, there is tremendous growth in the fields of optics and condensed matter, caused by rapid developments in superconductivity, electro optic materials, optical, acoustical, and NMR imaging, semiconductor devices, tomography, holography, and image processing. The Physics Department at Cleveland State University offers an M.S. degree in physics with an emphasis on Optics and Materials designed for scientists and engineers who wish to develop competence in these rapidly advancing fields.

Admission Information

To be considered for admission to the Master’s program in Physics with a Specialization in Optics and Materials, students must meet College of Graduate Studies requirements for admission and have an undergraduate degree in physics, mathematics, chemistry, engineering, or an allied field.

Students with deficient backgrounds are required to register for additional courses to remove deficiencies. All students applying for the M.S. in Physics program must take the GRE general examination, verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning and analytical writing. Students whose undergraduate training was not in the United States and whose native language is other than English must take the TOEFL examination and score above 600 (paper version) and they must take the Test for Spoken English (TSE) and score above 300. In order to be considered for financial support, all applications must be received by May 1.

Apply Now: https://go.csuohio.edu/portal/apply

Financial Support

Student support is available through tuition grants and tuition assistantships.

Degree Requirements

A minimum of 32 credits are required for the Optics and Materials Specialization, chosen from the following list or approved substitutions:

Medical Physics Specialization

A joint program with the Taussig Cancer Institute and the Imaging Institute at The Cleveland Clinic.

Introduction

This graduate program is a two-year program for individuals wishing to begin a career in medical physics. Students will acquire a broad background in theoretical medical physics, including radiation physics, radiobiology, radiation safety, medical imaging, as well as the modern practice of radiation oncology, through intensive coursework and hands-on experience. This program is currently accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Medical Physics Education Programs, Inc. (CAMPEP). At the completion of this program students will be well-prepared to begin a CAMPEP-accredited residency in medical physics and to take Part 1 of the American Board of Radiology certification exam.

Admission Information

To be considered for admission to the Master’s of Science Degree in Physics, Medical Physics Specialization, applicants must meet the College of Graduate Studies admission requirements and have an undergraduate degree in physics, chemistry, electrical engineering, biomedical engineering, chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, or nuclear engineering.

Students with deficient backgrounds are required to register for additional courses to remove deficiencies. All students applying for the M.S. in Medical Physics must take the GRE general examination in verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning and analytical writing. The quantitative reasoning portion of the GRE has to be at least in the 50th percentile. Students whose undergraduate training was not in the United States and whose native language is other than English, must also take the TOEFL examination and score above 600 (paper version), and they must take the Test for Spoken English (TSE) and score above 300. Review of applications begins February 1.

Apply Now: https://applynow.csuohio.edu/CSUApply/index.jsp?careerHint=GRAD

Financial Support

Student support is available through teaching assistantships.

Undergraduate Deficiencies

For students applying to the Medical Physics program, the following courses must be taken if there are deficiencies in the applicant’s undergraduate preparation:

For applicants lacking any Human Anatomy and Physiology course, one must be taken, selected with approval of Medical Physics CSU Co-Director.

At least three of the following:

PHY 330 Introduction to Modern Physics
PHY 340 Mechanics and Vibrations I
PHY 350 Electricity and Magnetism I
PHY 440 Quantum Physics I
PHY 474 Thermal Physics
PHY 475 Statistical Physics

Degree Requirements

A minimum of 33 credit hours, approved by the Physics Graduate Committee, is required for graduation.