Graduate Degree

The Master of Science degree in Accelerator Science and Engineering provides graduate students the opportunity to further their understanding of accelerator science and technology. Graduates will be certified, well trained, and ready for productive careers in Accelerator Science and Engineering. Research is supported by the Accelerator Science and Engineering Traineeship (ASET) Program. Students will gain a broad understanding of physics and engineering of large accelerators; superconducting radio frequency accelerator physics and engineering; radio frequency power engineering; and large-scale cryogenic systems, and their role in accelerator science and engineering. Upon completion of the program, students are able to contribute to the research and development of accelerator systems and associated technologies and support operations of accelerator systems, primarily, but not limited to accelerator systems at National Laboratories and industries.

In addition to meeting the requirements of the university and of the College of Natural Science, students must meet the requirements specified below.

Admission

For admission to the master's degree program in accelerator science and engineering on regular status, the student must have:

1. Completed mathematics and physics courses equivalent to those that are required for an undergraduate major in physics.
2. A satisfactory grade–point average, normally at least 3.00, in the courses referenced in item 1. above.
3. General GRE and Physics GRE examinations are required for admission to the program. Scores should be sent electronically, directly to Michigan State University.
4. For international students, except those with a 4-year degree from a U.S. institution, TOEFL examination scores must be submitted with a total average score of 100 or higher on the iBT.

Students who do not meet the requirements for admission to the program on regular status may be admitted on a provisional basis to remove deficiencies. Collateral course work will not count towards the requirements for the degree.

Requirements for the Master of Science Degree in Accelerator Science and Engineering

The student must complete a total of 30 credits for the degree with a grade-point average of 3.00 under Plan A (with thesis). A minimum of 16 credits must be at the 800-level or above.
Requirements for Plan A:
1.      The following course (3 credits):
	PHY	862	Accelerator Systems						3
2.	At least two courses from the following or any other 800 or 900-level accelerator science-focused courses as  approved by the Physics and Astronomy Graduate Program Director (6 credits):
	ECE	837	Computational Methods in Electromagnetics						3
	ECE	850	Electrodynamics of Plasmas						3
	ECE	989	Advanced Topics in Plasmas						3
	PHY	861	Beam Physics						3
	PHY	864	Accelerator Technology						3
	PHY	905	Special Problems						3
	PHY	961	Nonlinear Beam Dynamics						3
	PHY	962	Particle Accelerators						3
	PHY	963	U.S. Particle Accelerator School						3
	PHY	964	Seminar in Beam Physics Research						3
	Additional courses may be used to fulfill this requirement if approved by the Director of Graduate Studies. Up to 14 credits of undergraduate senior-level courses that have not been used towards any other degree may be used to fulfill this requirement with the exception of PHY 405 and PHY 490.
Additional Requirements for Plan A
1.	Complete 5 to 10 credits of PHY 899 Master’s Thesis Research.
2.	Pass a final oral examination in defense of the thesis.