MSc Physics

We are often intrigued by the use of physics in the little day-to-day aspects of our life. In the social and economic sectors, physics has undeniably brought a raft of new inventions and benefits. Apart from all this, the advancement that technology has achieved is somewhat majorly supported by the essential concepts of physics as well. If you also want to know about the intricate concepts of physics and contribute to the world by contributing your share in the innovative discoveries, there are numerous degree programs available in this discipline that you can choose from. One such degree course is MSc Physics which is a postgraduate program. This blog aims to elucidate the essential features of MSc Physics including the course structure, curriculum, branches, top universities as well as career options that one can opt for.

MSc Physics: Overview

The postgraduate program in Physics i.e., MSc Physics is a 1.5-2 year’s course.Many universities around the world provide this notable degree and help the students achieve their career aspirations. It is the most opted courses after BSc Physics The general coursework of the course involves an in-depth analysis of the field. The students who want to delve deep in the mysterious concepts of physics can enrol into it. Students securing admissions in this program will learn about core principles and concepts of the field like quantum theories, atmospherics, shock physics, mechanics, astrophysics, electronics, optics etc. Students will study all these concepts in a detailed manner than that of their bachelor studies. Candidates with a degree in this course are the ones having credible knowledge of the field of Physics.  

Full Form Master of Science Physics
Duration 1.5 – 2 years
Course Level Postgraduate
Careers Teacher, Professor, Radiologist, Senior Physicist
Avg. Course Fee INR 30,000 – 1.00 Lakh

What Is The Difference Between MSc and MS?

Before detailing about MSc Physics, let’s first understand what sets an MSc apart from MS. Though both these abbreviations stand for Master of Science but there are some key differences between these two master’s degrees as well as their coursework.

Firstly, the orientation of these programs is distinctive as MS is more of a professional and technical degree while MSc focuses more on core knowledge and conceptual aspects of the chosen specialization. Students from varied educational backgrounds namely science and humanities can opt for an MS degree.

Whereas to apply for an MSc, a BSc degree is a compulsory prerequisite. Just as the integral eligibility criteria is different, the expected outgrowth is also different.

Moreover, at the conclusion of an MS degree, one usually pursues career in professional domains, be it engineering or technology. On the other hand, an MSc gears aspirants for an academic career and you can also go for a PhD and enter the realm of research.

Must Read: Branches in MSc Physics

MSc Physics: Curriculum 

Since it is a master’s degree, the curriculum is designed with a balanced mix of core as well as elective disciplines. The MSc Physics syllabus not only comprises of the integral concepts of this vast scientific discipline but also incorporates the seminars, lab work as well as a research thesis which one needs to submit at the end of the course. Take a look at the following table which elucidates the prominent subjects included under this program:

Mathematical Methods	Atomic Spectroscopy	Material Science Special	Nuclear and Particle Physics
Classical Mechanics	Classical Electrodynamics	Molecular Spectroscopy	Relativity and Cosmology
Quantum Mechanics	Computer Applications in Physics	Solid State Physics	Advanced Quantum Mechanics
Electronics	Advanced Optics- I	Radiophysics and Electronics	Applications in Physics
Nuclear Physics	Astrophysics	Advanced Optics- II	Laser Physics

Note: This syllabus is for indicative purposes and may vary from one university to another. 

Check Out: MSc Physics Entrance Exam Books

Branches in MSc Physics

Study a master’s degree in Physics, there are varied opportunities available for you to explore at the conclusion of this course. Below we have detailed some of the major branches in MSc Physics which you can delve deeper in while pursuing this program.

Explore: Branches of Physics

Astrophysics

In simple terms, Astrophysics is known as space science. It involves a thorough study of the solar system, galaxies, planets, black holes, nebulae as well as celestial objects. Those who are attracted to the starry sky and its mysteries can consider specializing in this sub-field during an MSc Physics. The concepts taught in this specialization are theories of stellar magnitudes, Saha Equation of ionization, Lane-Emden equation, sun-earth and coordinate systems. There are various astrophysics courses as well.

Nuclear Physics

The intricate study about the neutrons and protons present at the centre of an atom is known as Nuclear Physics. Along with the study about the force of attraction that holds these particles together in the space. For the students who want to explore more about this emerging branch of physics, a degree in MSc Physics can quench their thirst. Under this field, you will get to study the concepts like parity and isospin, magnetics dipole, nuclear models, particle accelerations etc.

Electronics

It is quite a well-known fact that all electrical equipment work on the famous principle of the Ohm’s law, thus, their functioning as well as development is incrementally based on the fundamentals of Physics. Choosing Electronics as your specialisation for an MSc Physics, you will get to learn about the semiconductor devices, current-voltage, distortion of EM waves, nonlinear equation of oscillation etc. 

Quantum Mechanics

Quantum Mechanics aims to peruse the behaviour of matter and energy on the atomic as well as the subatomic scale. If you are interested in analysing those minute particles in our environment that are often unseen to the naked eye, then you must consider opting for this branch. Under this sub-field of an MSc Physics, you will study an array of topics like Dirac notion and Representation, state vector and wave function, expectation values, uncertainty relations etc.

Must Read: Bestselling Quantum Physics Books

Top Universities Offering MSc Physics

Choosing a university for your chosen course needs rigorous research as you need to keep in mind the research exposure as well as career prospects on offer. There are a plethora of universities across the globe that are renowned for their prospective MSc Physics programs.

Universities QS World Ranking 2023
Massachusetts Institute of Technology  1
Stanford University  3
University of California- Berkeley  27
Harvard University  5
University of Chicago  10
California Institute of Technology 6
University of Tokyo 23
Princeton University  16
University of Cambridge 2
University of Oxford 4

Eligibility Criteria for MSc Physics

• To get admissions in MSc Physics, a student must have formal schooling of 10+2 with mandatory MPC subjects or BiPC subjects. Along with this, you will also need to have a bachelor’s degree in Physics, i.e. BSc Physics with a good percentage or a related field included under science stream subjects. 
• Along with this, a student has to qualify the GRE examination to be eligible to study this degree abroad and a language proficiency test in English like IELTS, TOEFL etc.
• Letter of Recommendation (LOR) and Statement of Purpose (SOP) might also be required. 

Career Prospects 

After completing an MSc Physics, one can choose from a multitude of opportunities in various sectors. Further, many students usually opt for a PhD in Physics to build their career in academia, but those wanting to follow the domain of research can choose from several career prospects often available at research institutes and universities. Take a look at the following profiles that are offered to MSc Physics graduates: 

Job Profile Avg. Salary
Consulting Physicist 3.31 Lakh
Research Associate  3.7 Lakh
Radiologist 4 Lakh
Radiation Oncologist 24 Lakh
Lab Supervisor 3.6 Lakh
Teacher 3.6 Lakh
Professor  7.0 Lakh
Radiologist 11.9 Lakh
Senior Physicist 14.5 Lakh

FAQs

Thus, we hope that through this blog you got to know about what an MSc Physics constitutes of. Needless to say, finding the right institution for your chosen course is quite a tough task and a little professional guidance can go a long way. If you are aspiring to study a master’s degree in any field of science but don’t know which one to opt for, reach out to our experts at Leverage Edu and let us help you find an ideal program as well as university that can equip you with the required knowledge and exposure to build a rewarding career in a field of your interest.