M.A.T. Physics Admission Requirements
The M.A.T. Admissions Committee evaluates each applicant individually and holistically, taking into account the applicant's statement of purpose, writing samples, academic record, letters of recommendation, and test scores.
All applicants to an M.A.T. program, regardles sof discipline, should have:
- An undergraduate degree from an accredited college or university with a GPA of 3.0 in the major, and an overall undergraduate GPA of 3.0. The degree must be complete at the time of admission.
- A passing score on the GACE Basic Skills Test or a state-approved exemption
- Graduate Record Exam (GRE) scores above the 50th percentile in one of the three areas
An applicant to the physics program should have:
- A completed major or significant preparation in physics, or a related discipline (e.g. engineering).
Our students bring to the studies a variety of past experiences and undergraduate course work. In order to provide opportunities for candidates to strengthen their individual disciplinary backgrounds, the program requires that students take two additional disciplinary courses. On admission to the M.A.T. program in Secondary Physics, candidates meet with their program advisers to review their backgrounds and to plan appropriate course work.
The candidate's undergraduate program together with the two additional courses comleted as part of the M.A.T. program in Secondary Physics must incorporate the following coursework:
(a) Courses in physics:
- A foundation in the principles of calculus-based physics with lab (normally three semesters), topics to include energy, electricity, magnetism, wave phenomena (sound, light) and conservation laws
- Coursework in modern physics, including atomic and nuclear physics, and relativity
- Upper-level coursework in classical and quantum mechanics (normally two courses)
- Upper-level coursework in electgricity, magnetism, and thermodynamics (normally two courses)
- An upper division laboratory experience
(b) Supporting Background and Competencies:
- The calculus sequence (mormally three semesters), topics to include sequences, series and function representation by series, multivariable calculus, some differential equations and some vector calculus
- A course in earth science or astronomy (both areas are strongly recommended)
- College level course work in at least two of the following: chemistry, computing applications, environomental physics, statistics, a second course in earth science or astronomy, and the history or philosophy of science
A particular course may meet more than one rquirement. An exceptionally well prepared student may request that one of the two additional disciplinary courses be waived.