Ilias E. Perakis, Ph.D. Department Chair iperakis@uab.edu (205) 996-9870
Master's Program
Transform your future with the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) job-focused master’s (MS) degree in physics. Are you ready to unlock new career opportunities with cutting-edge skills in artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), high performance computing (HPC), advanced materials, quantum science, lasers, and high-tech instrumentation? At the University of Alabama at Birmingham, our Master of Science in Physics offers four industry-driven concentrations that prepare you to thrive in the Fourth Industrial Revolution, where physics, engineering, digital sciences, and medicine converge to drive groundbreaking innovation.
Why Choose UAB's MS in Physics?
Industry-Aligned Education: Each of our four concentrations is tailored to high-demand fields such as advanced manufacturing, information technology, biomedical technologies, and quantum engineering, ensuring that you’re well equipped for the next generation of STEMM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Medicine) careers.
Strategic Location: Located in Alabama's expanding tech and biomedical hub, the Department of Physics offers exposure to growing job markets in areas such as quantum technologies, data science, biotechnology, and advanced materials.
Real-World Experience: Through mentored research projects and hands-on learning, you’ll gain practical skills that align with today’s industry demands.
Competitive Salaries: Physics graduates with an MS degree can expect starting salaries between $80,000 and $120,000 or more in private sector roles.
Flexible Learning Paths: You can choose between our four specialized concentrations, our traditional MS program, or our Accelerated Bachelor's/Master's (ABM) program ranked among the top 25 in the nation.
Plan I vs. Plan II
You have two options for completing our M.S. in Physics — Plan I and Plan II. The main difference is that Plan I requires a thesis while Plan II replaces the thesis with additional coursework.
Plan I
You should consider Plan I if:
you are uncertain if you want to pursue a Ph.D., but would like to broaden your education and develop new skills useful for employment in industry
you desire a combination of advanced study and hands-on experiences that will make you most competitive for a 21st-century professional career in a STEMM or related field
Acceptance into Plan I is decided by the physics graduate faculty member who will supervise your thesis research and help you develop a plan of study. The Department of Physics will establish a M.S. Graduate Study Committee to review and concur your plan of study and oversee your thesis.
Plan II
With the approval of the physics graduate program director, the non-thesis option (Plan II) is recommended for students planning to continue toward a more advanced degree, whether Ph.D. or M.D. In this case, the same total credit hours as for Plan I is required, but Plan II does not require the 6 semester hours of Thesis Research (PH699).
