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Engineering Physics: Master of Science (MS)

About

Appalachian’s Master of Science in Engineering Physics program prepares students with the necessary skills to excel in industry, government research labs or a PhD program. Unlike a traditional physics or engineering program, this program is industry driven to be modern and relevant, incorporating hands-on, laboratory-based courses. The curriculum prepares students to work in a broad range of technical career positions including electrical engineers, automation and controls engineers, systems engineers, software engineers and research scientists. 

In addition, students develop troubleshooting and problem solving techniques and tools for dealing with sophisticated technical problems and the versatility required for long-term success in a rapidly evolving technical environment.

Students from a variety of backgrounds receive core training in the field of electronics and additional experience in their choice of concentrations. 

The program offers three concentrations:

  • Systems and Laboratory Automation – designed for the student who is interested in working in a technical environment with a focus on automation, instrumentation and electronics.
  • Professional Science Master’s (PSM) in Instrumentation and Automation – a nationally affiliated degree designed for the student who is interested in developing skills in electronics, instrumentation and automation as well as acquiring business and workplace skills.
  • Professional Science Master’s (PSM) in Nanoscience for Advanced Materials – a nationally affiliated degree designed for the student who is interested in developing skills in electronics, microscopy, nanotechnology and materials as well as acquiring business and workplace skills.

More Information

Courses

  • Graduate Bulletin and Course Catalog
    • Engineering Physics - Professional Science Master’s in Instrumentation and Automation Concentration, MS
    • Engineering Physics - Professional Science Master’s in Nanoscience for Advanced Materials Concentration, MS
    • Engineering Physics - Systems and Laboratory Automation Concentration, MS

Application Essentials

Required Entrance Exam: GRE (score must be no more than 5 years old)

Required number of references to specify in the online form: 3

Supplemental Information: Resume (Required upload for application submission)

Basic Conditions for Consideration of Admission: Meeting or exceeding the conditions below does NOT guarantee admission. All applications for a given entry term will be weighed based upon the number of seats available and the quality of the complete application packages. With special permission from the Graduate School, a program may admit a limited number of students with exceptional circumstances who do not meet the graduate school minimums.

Graduate School: 3.0 GPA in the last earned degree and official scores from the appropriate admission test(s), OR 2.5 GPA in the last earned degree and official scores at the 25th percentile level from the appropriate admission test(s).

Admission to Engineering Physics: Both qualitative and quantitative aspects of applications are reviewed in comparison to the current applicant pool.

Doctoral and Terminal Degree Programs

Students have gone on to programs at these and other institutions:

  • Duke University
  • N.C. State University
  • University of Tennessee
  • Wake Forest University
  • and more

Employers

  • NASA
  • National Instruments
  • SpaceX
  • Exxon
  • Rovisys
  • Eaton
  • Borg-Warner
  • CITI
  • Qorvo
  • EMC Corporation
  • Gemini Observatory
  • CERN
  • Motorola
  • US Patent Office
  • Siemens
  • AT&T
  • and more
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Degrees

Application Deadlines

Spring Admission
November 1, priority deadline is October 1

Summer Session I & II Admission
April 1

Fall Admission
July 1, priority deadline is March 15

Want to learn more?

Register for Info Session

Why Appalachian?

  • Students gain the experience that employers demand from the hands-on environment in the labs.
  • According to the American Institute of Physics, students with a master’s degree with a science-related career typically receive a higher salary that will pay for the degree within a year or two.
  • Students have the flexibility of choosing electives and their concentration to gain skills in electronics, physics, software engineering, technology and business.
  • Students have the benefit of working closely with faculty members to perform research and to present at conferences.
  • Our students find great satisfaction and fun from working in our hands-on environment.
  • Teaching assistantships (stipends) and North Carolina Teaching Scholarship (out-of-state tuition waiver) are available on a competitive basis.
  • All graduate programs at Appalachian have small class sizes, providing intimate classroom interaction.
  • The School of Graduate Studies offers scholarships, fellowships and assistantships to support eligible, full-time, degree-seeking students.

Location

On campus

Careers

  • Applications Engineer
  • Software Engineer
  • SCADA Engineer
  • Test Engineer
  • NASA Research Physicist

Contacts

Dr. Michael Briley
Program Director
brileymm@appstate.edu
828-262-2432

Department of Physics and Astronomy

College of Arts and Sciences

  • Department of Physics and Astronomy

    The Department of Physics and Astronomy’s curriculum has an applied nature that includes a core of fundamental physics courses and laboratory experiences. It prepares graduates for a variety of scientific, teaching or engineering professions, as well as future educational endeavors.

  • College of Arts and Sciences

    Appalachian’s Largest College

    The College of Arts and Sciences at Appalachian State University is home to 17 academic departments, two centers and one residential college spanning the humanities and the social, mathematical and natural sciences. The college is dedicated to providing instruction and research essential to the university's mission and seeks to cultivate the habits of inquiry, learning and service among all its constituents.

    By the Numbers

    • 1/3 of the degrees awarded at Appalachian
    • More than 70% of general education courses are taught in the college
    • 93 majors offered
    • 53 minors offered
    • 6,411 undergraduate majors
    • More than 460 full-time faculty members
    • 41,203 living alumni
    • $8,754,800 awarded to the college in external grants during the 2020–21 academic year
    • $236,914 awarded to students through 6 collegewide scholarships and 98 departmental scholarships for the 2020–21 academic year

    Graduate Programs

    Accelerated admissions program opportunities are available in pursuing a master's degree in 12 selected areas: Appalachian Studies, Biology, Computer Science, Engineering Physics, English, Geography and Planning, History, Mathematics, Romance Languages (French/Spanish), Political Science, Psychology (Experimental Science) and Public Administration. Other master’s degrees, graduate certificates and specialist degrees are listed on Appalachian’s School of Graduate Studies website.

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