Applied Physics — The Program
The Applied Physics Program is intended primarily to prepare students for rewarding careers in industry, corporate, and government research laboratories, hospitals, and other high-technology enterprises. In addition, it provides preparation to allow graduates to proceed to a doctoral program if they so choose. The program also offers courses meeting the professional licensure requirements for the Master’s of Education Program.
Program emphasis is on the development of practical laboratory skills through broad experience in experimental course work, while fostering quantitative analytical techniques in theoretical physics at the level appropriate to the master’s degree. Auxiliary skills in computer and information technology will also be developed.
During or following the initial year of course work, students may choose to begin a thesis project, working in a departmental research laboratory or on a computational or theoretical problem, under the direction of a faculty member. Alternatively, qualified students who are employed in technically related jobs may opt to complete a supervised internship project, equivalent to a thesis, at their place of employment. Through such internships, the program has established relationships with corporations, hospitals, and laboratories in the Boston area that offer students a unique opportunity to complete the requirements for a master’s degree.
The Physics Department is located in the Science Building at the Harbor Campus. Facilities include ample teaching and research laboratories, computing facilities, electronics, and machine shops.
Research laboratories include facilities and equipment for:
- low-temperature studies
- non-linear optics, optical information processing
- nuclear spectroscopy
- millimeter-wave magnetic resonance
- soft condensed matter physics