Votre Coeur: Masters in Physics, To Be or Not To Be.

Masters in Physics, To Be or Not To Be.

Posted by Mastermind at 7:51 pm

I'm selected for the part-time course for my masters of science in Physics in NUS for a period of 2 to 5 years. Not surprising since the application process is reduced to administrative procedures if you have at least a 2nd upper honours in Physics. The program details is taken from the physics department webpage.

A. Master of Science in Physics (Part-Time or Full-Time)

Master of Science in Physics is a coursework programme initiated as a part-time programme in January 2000. It also can be enrolled on a full-time basis now.

The objectives of the programme are as follows:

*Advanced training in fundamental aspects of physics
*Opportunities for physics teachers and other professionals to further upgrade their professional skills and qualifications.

Admission Requirements

*An honours degree in Physics from NUS or such other universities approved by NUS, or
*A Bachelor's pass degree in physics or related discipline, or completed three years of physics study in a university, or other qualifications as NUS may approve.

(I) Programme Structure

A candidate in the part-time M.Sc. Programme in Physics by coursework must complete the following in order to be awarded the M.Sc. degree:

Structure 1 (for applicants who have an Honours degree or equivalent qualifications)

EITHER

i. Complete coursework amounting to at least 28 MCs* from physics modules (which the candidate should not have passed before) at level-4000 or higher,

ii. Obtain at least 20, of the 28 MCs in (i), at level-5000 (at least 8 MC should be Group A); and

iii. Complete a project and a written report, equivalent to 12 MCs, in an area specified by the Department.

OR

i) complete coursework amounting to at least 40MCs from physics modules (which the candidate should not have passed before) at level-4000 or higher; and

ii) obtain at least 32 of the 40 MCs in (i), at level-5000

I aim to finish my masters within 3 years if possible. Going by option 1, 28 MCs mean 7 modules over 6 semesters or average of 1 module per semester except for 2 in one semester. But there's a 12 MC written report to be submitted (honours thesis style?). To find a supervisor for the report may not be difficult but to find the time to complete one would be tough.

Option 2 requires me to complete 10 modules over 6 semesters which is more straight forward. But the modules offered may not be that tempting. Even though I have the option to do 2 level 4000 modules but these are usually taught during normal working hours which I can't really take up. In addition, free parking hours start only after 5:30pm. But the good thing is that it does not limit me to the group of modules to take.

Group A
PC5201 Advanced Quantum Mechanics
PC5202 Advanced Statistical Mechanics
PC5203 Advanced Solid State Physics
PC5210 Advanced Dynamics
PC5211 Advanced Electrodynamics

Group B
PC5204 Special Topics in Physics
PC5205 Topics in Surface Physics
PC5206 Selected Topics in Quantum Field Theory
PC5207 Topics in Optical Physics
PC5208 Superconductivity
PC5209 Accelerator Based Materials Characterization
PC5212 Physics of Nanostructures
PC5213 Advanced Biophysics
PC5228 Quantum Information and Computation
PC5434 Quantum Finance
PC5239 Special Problems in Physics

Looking at the list of modules, I think I will have problems getting 7 modules to read. There's only 5 that I'm interested (underlined) and 1 that I will take if I have no other choices (italics). If only I could afford the time to take 2 level 4000 modules, the level that I'm already comfortable with. Moreover, the modules may not be offered at all so beggars can't be choosers in any case. sigh... Plus the fact that I might need to go for night classes 4 times a week for 2 hours each already make me feel tired.

Last but not least, the academic calendar for the instructional program means that I am more likely to take up 2 modules in semester 1 and only 1 module in semester 2. Because the examination period for semester 1 is during the school holidays (early December) and the examination period for semester 2 is during the level camp period (early May). And there's less teaching involved in semester 1 (term 3 and 4 in school) due to EOY examinations. But there's only so many modules that I'm interested in semester 1... sigh...

Should I or should I not take up part time masters... this is the time to finally make a decision.