Coterminal M.S. degree in Applied and Engineering Physics

The co-terminal M.S. degree in Applied and Engineering Physics provides a Master’s degree program for eligible Stanford undergraduates to explore the disciplines where fundamental physics meets applied science and engineering. The main goal of this degree program is to enable undergraduate students to obtain a degree that combines a rigorous physics core curriculum with an engineering discipline. This degree program prepares students for either an industrial career or further advanced degrees in applied physics, physics or engineering disciplines.

45 unduplicated units of work done at Stanford are required for the Master’s degree. A student may apply for the coterminal B.S. and M.S. program after 120 units are completed and they must be accepted into our program at least one quarter before receiving their B.S. degree. A student must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 in order to maintain good academic standing and complete all requirements within three years of first acquiring graduate standing.

The specific course requirements are the following, which are also discussed in the Stanford Bulletin:

1. Four breadth courses in subdisciplines of applied physics (16 units): AP 201, AP 203, AP 204, AP 205.
2. Three engineering courses in a depth area (9 units minimum). At least one must be at the 300 level and the other courses must be at the 200 level or above to provide depth in one area.
3. One laboratory or methods course (3 or 4 units) from a list. View list.
4. Seminar participation (3 units).
5. Technical electives (6 units minimum that brings up the total units to 45) include: APPHYS, CS, CME, EE, ME, BIOE, MATSCI, PHYSICS courses as well as those courses that are formally approved by the graduate studies committee through petition. Consult with academic advisor to select appropriate courses.

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