Policies and Standards for the Master of Science in Physics (M.Sc. Physics) Program

May 12, 2011

CHED MEMORANDUM ORDER NO. 012-11

 

In accordance with the pertinent provisions of Republic Act (RA) No. 7722, otherwise known as the "Higher Education Act of 1994," by virtue of Commission en bancResolution No. 060-2011 dated 05 April 2011 and for the purpose of rationalizing the graduate physics education in the country with the end view of keeping apace with the demands of global competitiveness, the following Policies and Standards are hereby adopted and promulgated by the Commission.

ARTICLE I

Introduction

SECTION 1.

Graduate level study is the advanced preparation and mastery of a specialized field or discipline. It occurs within an atmosphere of intellectual and creative rigor that encourages scholarly inquiry, research and study of the evolving formulation of knowledge. Graduate education results in the candidate's ability to shape the direction of one's discipline, to become a leader in one's respective profession, and to contribute to the rapidly changing global community.

ARTICLE II

Authority to Operate

SECTION 2.

All private higher education institutions (HEIs) intending to offer the degrees stated above must secure proper authority from the Commission in accordance with existing rules and regulations. State universities and colleges (SUCs), and local universities and colleges (LUCs) should likewise strictly adhere to the provisions stated in these policies and standards. AHCTEa

ARTICLE III

Program Specifications

SECTION 3. Degree Name. —

The degree program herein shall be called Master of Science in Physics (M.Sc. Physics).

SECTION 4. Program Description. —

The M.Sc. Physics is an advanced-level program for students that aspire to work or are currently working in an academic, research or industrial setting. It has two tracks: the thesis and non-thesis tracks. The thesis track provides exposure to research while the non-thesis track is an all coursework option.

4.1. Objective of the Program

The program leading to a degree of M.Sc. Physics shall equip students with advanced mastery of core areas of physics to prepare them for doctoral studies or for careers in academe or research.

ARTICLE IV

Competency Standards

SECTION 5. Competency Standards. —

Graduates of M.Sc. Physics program are expected to:

1. Grasp advanced knowledge of classical mechanics, quantum mechanics, electrodynamics and statistical mechanics;

2. Have the ability to keep abreast with new developments in physics;

3. Communicate ideas clearly, orally and in writing;

4. Recognize and find meaningful solutions for research problems;

5. Apply scientific reasoning, mathematical, computational and experimental methods to solve physical problems and to arrive at decisions; and TSCIEa

6. Have the ability to write and present orally a scientific paper.

ARTICLE V

Curriculum

SECTION 6. Curriculum Description. —

The M.Sc. Physics program has a thesis and a non-thesis option. The curriculum for the M.Sc. Physics (Thesis option) is composed of: the coursework requirements, colloquia and seminar, and a thesis. The curriculum for the M.Sc. Physics (Non-Thesis option) is composed of: the coursework requirements, colloquia and seminar, additional electives and a comprehensive examination.

SECTION 7. Curriculum Outline. —

The minimum requirements for M.Sc. Physics (Thesis and Non-Thesis options) are outlined in Table 1.

Table 1. Curriculum Outline for M.Sc. Physics (Thesis and Non-Thesis) Program

Component	Units
	Thesis	Non-Thesis
Core Courses	18	18
General Electives	6	15
Graduate Colloquium	2	2
Graduate Seminar	1	1
Thesis	6	-
	––––	––––
Total Units	33	36
	===	===

SECTION 8. Core Courses. —

The following are the minimum required core courses and prescribed electives that the M.Sc. Physics students should take. A department may go beyond the required core courses depending on the strength and availability of resources in the institution. Table 2 outlines the core courses for the M.Sc. Physics program. AcSCaI

Table 2. List of Core Courses for the M.Sc. Physics program

Courses	Units
Classical Mechanics	3
Classical Electrodynamics  n	6
Quantum Mechanics n	6
Statistical Mechanics	3
	––––
Total Units	18
	====

Note: Students who enter without sufficient academic preparation shall have to take bridging courses.

* Combined Course Description and competencies and the distribution of topics per term will depend on the HEI as long as the topics will be covered and the competencies will be met.

SECTION 9. Suggested General Electives. —

General electives consist of graduate general electives in physics or a closely related field, which are chosen with the advice and consent of the Program Adviser.

Table 3 provides a list of courses from which electives may be chosen. HEIs may offer courses other than those in the list.

Table 3. List of General Elective Courses for the M.Sc. Physics Program

Courses

1. Mathematical Methods of Physics I

2. Mathematical Methods of Physics II

3. Computational Methods of Physics

4. Classical Dynamics I ADScCE

5. Classical Dynamics II

6. General Relativity I

7. General Relativity II

8. Plasma Physics I

9. Plasma Physics II

10. Quantum Mechanics III

11. Advanced Quantum Mechanics I

12. Advanced Quantum Mechanics II

13. Statistical Mechanics II

14. Atomic & Molecular Physics I

15. Atomic & Molecular Physics II

16. Laser Physics I

17. Laser Physics II

18. Modern Optics I

19. Modern Optics II

20. Solid State Physics I

21. Solid State Physics II

22. Low-Temperature Physics I

23. Low-Temperature Physics II

24. Nuclear Physics I

25. Nuclear Physics II

26. Elementary Particle Physics I

27. Elementary Particle Physics II

28. Experimental Methods of Quantum Physics EICSTa

29. Experimental Methods of Condensed Matter Physics

30. Experimental Methods of Atomic and Molecular Physics

31. Experimental Methods of Nuclear Physics

32. Experimental Methods of Plasma Physics

33. Special Topics in Experimental Physics

34. Special Topics in Theoretical Physics

35. Advanced Mathematical Physics I

36. Advanced Mathematical Physics II

37. Advanced Mathematical Physics III

38. Advanced Topics in Gravitation I

39. Advanced Plasma Physics

40. Quantum Field Theory I

41. Quantum Field Theory II

42. Advanced Statistical Mechanics

43. Advanced Atomic & Molecular Physics

44. Advanced Quantum Electronics I

45. Advanced Quantum Electronics II

46. Advanced Solid State Physics I

47. Advanced Solid State Physics II

48. Advanced Low-Temperature Physics

49. Advanced Nuclear Physics

50. Current Topics in Particle Theory I

51. Current Topics in Particle Theory II

52. Computational Physics I aIEDAC

53. Computational Physics II

54. Graduate Level Courses in Mathematics, Science and Engineering

SECTION 10. Colloquium and Seminar Requirements. —

In addition to the formal course requirements, each student in the graduate physics program shall be required to complete at least two (2) units of the Graduate Colloquium and one (1) unit of Graduate Seminar.

The colloquia and seminar are intended to expose students to issues in physics and related fields and to improve their communication skills.

There should be a faculty in charge of coordinating the Graduate Colloquia. Activities in the Graduate Colloquia may include exposure of research students to current physics research activities in the HEI, attendance in talks of visiting scientists, and discussion of issues relevant to physics such as proper conduct of research, intellectual property rights, responsibilities of an author, physics education issues, and the societal impact of physics.

The Graduate Seminar shall serve as a venue for graduate students to present their proposed and/or ongoing research to the faculty and other graduate students.

SECTION 11. Program of Study. —

The Graduate Studies Committee shall assign each student admitted into the graduate physics program to a program adviser who shall, in consultation with the student, draw up the latter's program of study on the basis of his/her performance in the Evaluation Examination (See Article VII, Section 24) and his/her interest and aptitude. In accordance with this program of study, the student shall then be advised and guided in his/her course work by the Program Adviser until he/she finds a Thesis Adviser (for a student under the Thesis option) or obtain the M.Sc. (Physics) degree (for a student under Non-Thesis option). The regular load per term of a full-time student is nine (9) units in the pre-thesis or pre-comprehensive examination stage. Enrolment in the thesis research/thesis writing/residency in the thesis stage is still considered as a full-time regular load.

SECTION 12. Thesis. —

After a M.Sc. student under the thesis option gets a Thesis Adviser and a research problem for a thesis, he/she shall be assigned a Thesis Reader by the Graduate Studies Committee and asked to submit a written formal research proposal for his/her thesis. On the basis of the policies and guidelines formulated by the Graduate Studies Committee, the thesis proposal may be approved or disapproved by the Thesis Adviser and Thesis Reader. The Thesis Reader reviews the thesis and ensures compliance with the revisions required by the examination panel. ETIcHa

Upon approval of his/her thesis proposal, the student can then proceed to carry out his/her thesis research under the guidance and supervision of the Thesis Adviser and Thesis Reader.

SECTION 13. Oral Masters Examination. —

HEIs may implement their own policy on Oral Masters Examination. The student will be required to defend the Thesis in an Oral Examination before a Masters Examination Panel composed of at least three (3) members, one of which may be an external evaluator.

The passing or failing of the Oral Masters Examination will be decided by the Masters Examination Panel. If the student passes the Examination, his/her thesis is considered approved and accepted. If the student fails, he/she will be given a second chance to defend his/her revised thesis. The HEI will determine the schedule of the next defense.

SECTION 14. Comprehensive Examination. —

In the case of a M.Sc. student under the non-thesis option student, he/she must take the Comprehensive Examination after he/she has completed the graduate core courses. This examination, which will normally be scheduled after completion of all core courses, tests the student's ability to integrate and apply the overall knowledge of physics that he/she has acquired from the graduate core courses as well as advanced undergraduate courses in physics.

The Comprehensive Examination for the M.Sc. degree is the same as the Comprehensive Examination for the Ph.D. degree, but the minimum passing grade for the M.Sc. degree is lower than that for the Ph.D. degree.

If the student obtains a masters passing grade in the Comprehensive Examination, he/she qualifies for the M.Sc. Physics (non-thesis option). If the student obtains a masters failing grade, he/she will be allowed to take the Examination again within one (1) academic year after the first attempt. The number of allowed attempts for the Comprehensive Examination is left to the discretion of the HEI. Failure to pass the Comprehensive Examination will disqualify the student from the M.Sc. Physics (non-thesis option) Program.

ARTICLE VI

Learning Resources and Support

Program Administration

SECTION 16. n  Qualifications of the Head of Unit. — ICDcEA

The minimum qualifications of the head of the unit that implements the degree program are the following:

16.1.  Dean of the Unit/College

The dean of a unit/college must be at least a Ph.D. degree holder in any of the disciplines for which the unit/college offers a program; and a holder of a valid certificate of registration and professional license, where applicable.

16.2.  Head of the Physics Unit/Department or Graduate Program Coordinator

The head of the department or the graduate program coordinator must be a Ph.D. degree holder in physics.

SECTION 17. Graduate Studies Committee. —

The Higher Education Institution (HEI) shall create a Graduate Studies Committee (GSC) who will perform the following functions:

1. Formulate the policies and guidelines for the proper implementation of the program;

2. Oversee the implementation of the program; and

3. Review and monitor the program regularly.

SECTION 18. Program Adviser. —

The program adviser should be a full time faculty of the HEI with a PhD in physics duly appointed according to existing policies of the institution. The program adviser may be a member of the GSC, the department chair, or graduate studies coordinator of the department.

SECTION 19. Faculty. —

19.1.  Qualification of Faculty

Faculty teaching in a graduate Physics program must at least have a Ph.D. degree in physics. DTaSIc

19.2.  Full-time Faculty Members

The unit must have at least three (3) full-time faculty members, who are Ph.D. degree holder in physics.

Education degree holders will not be counted towards the minimum faculty requirement.

SECTION 20. Thesis Advising. —

20.1.  Thesis Adviser

The thesis adviser should be a full-time Ph.D. faculty member with a publication track record in physics.

20.2.  Research Group

The HEI with M.Sc. program must have at least one active research group.

SECTION 21. Library. —

HEIs with M.Sc. Physics must meet the minimum requirements for the BS Physics program. In addition, the library must maintain a collection of textbooks and references used for the core courses in the curriculum. There must also be active subscriptions to physics journals either in print or online. Internet access is required for the masters programs in physics.

SECTION 22. Facilities and Equipment. —

The minimum laboratory requirements for the BS Physics program must be met. Class size may vary depending on the allowable number of students as may be feasible to economically offer a graduate class.

The institution should provide facilities to allow preparation, presentation and viewing of audio-visual materials to support instruction.

The HEI should also provide the necessary infrastructure for research in physics.

Admission and Retention

SECTION 23. Admission Requirements. — AEIHCS

To be admitted in the M.Sc. Physics program, an applicant must have the following:

1.1. A B.S. Physics degree or a B.S. degree in science or engineering, but will have to take bridging courses; and

1.2. A high degree of intellectual capacity and aptitude for advanced study and research in physics as determined by the GSC.

The Department's Graduate Studies Committee on the basis of the following shall determine these qualifications:

1. The applicant's scholastic records;

2. The written recommendations from two (2) of the applicant's former professors regarding his/her abilities;

3. A personal interview with the applicant, if possible; and

4. An evaluation Examination if deemed necessary by the GSC.

All applications for admission in the Physics graduate programs are subject to the approval of the Department's Graduate Studies Committee. The GSC should ensure that all applicants are aware of the admission policies to the graduate program.

SECTION 24. Evaluation Examination. —

If deemed necessary by the GSC, students who are applying to the M.Sc. Physics Program may be required to take an Evaluation Examination, which shall be scheduled, before the start of the First Term. This Examination, which is a written and/or oral examination based on topics covered in the upper-division courses of the Department's B.S. Physics Program, is intended to determine the level and extent of the student's undergraduate preparation in physics.

A student who does not perform satisfactorily in the Evaluation Examination as determined by the GSC, may be denied admission to the graduate program or required to complete the appropriate remedial courses in the Department's B.S. Physics Program. IDSaTE

SECTION 25. Grade Requirement. —

To remain in good standing in the M.Sc. Physics Program, a student must maintain a cumulative weighted average grade of "2.0" (or equivalent) or better which is to be computed after every year of the course work. Failure to maintain this scholastic standard will entail disqualification from M.Sc. Physics Program unless for special reasons the student, upon recommendation of his/her Program Adviser and the approval of the Graduate Studies Committee, is given a chance to improve his/her scholastic record through additional course work.

SECTION 26. Residence Requirement. —

The M.Sc. Physics candidate is required to be in residence for at least one (1) year prior to the award of the M.Sc. Physics degree. As a general rule, the time limit for the completion of all the requirements for the M.Sc. Physics degree shall be no more than five (5) years. In special cases however, the Graduate Studies Committee may grant an extension of no more than two (2) years.

ARTICLE VII

Transitory, Repealing and Effectivity Provisions

SECTION 27. Transitory Provision. —

HEIs that have been granted permit or recognition for Master of Science in Physics program are required to fully comply with all the requirements in this CMO, within a non-extendable period of three (3) years after the date of its effectivity. State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) and Local Colleges and Universities (LCUs) shall also comply with the requirements herein set forth.

SECTION 28. Repealing Clause. —

All CHED issuances, rules or regulations or parts thereof, which are inconsistent with the provisions of this CMO, are hereby repealed.

SECTION 18. n  Effectivity Clause. — THESAD

This CMO shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official Gazette, or in two (2) newspapers of national circulation. This CMO shall be implemented beginning the first term of Academic Year 2012-2013.

Quezon City, Philippines, May 12, 2011.

For the Commission,

(SGD.) PATRICIA B. LICUANAN, Ph.D.Chairperson

Attachments available upon request.

nCombined Course Description and competencies and the distribution of topics per term will depend on the HEI as long as the topics will be covered and the competencies will be met.

nCombined Course Description and competencies and the distribution of topics per term will depend on the HEI as long as the topics will be covered and the competencies will be met.

nNote from the Publisher: Copied verbatim from the official document. Missing Section 15.

nNote from the Publisher: Copied verbatim from the official document.