Mastering Physics for NonAcademic Careers

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Mastering Physics forNon-Academic Careers

• An AIP report commissioned by the
• AP Sloan Foundation on the nature of Professional
  Physics Masters Programs
• in the US
• Philip W. Hammer, The Franklin Institute
• Roman Czujko, AIP
• Stephen D. Norton, AIP and U of Maryland
• January 8, 2001

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Masters or PhD?

• Students seek employment-oriented alternatives to
  the PhD.
• Industry expresses interest in masters.
• Option A BS in physics and masters in CS, EE,
  Materials, etc., or an MBA.

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Masters or PhD?

• Option B professional masters degree (PMD).
• PMDs provide employer-valued knowledge, skills,
  and experience.
• Think MBA.
• PMD is a new model that provides
• a) viable options for physics students,
  b)
  value to employers,
  c) a locus of
  revitalization for the department.

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Goals of Project -- Phase I

• Establish a set of criteria for characterizing
  PMDs in physics.
• Survey US physics departments offering terminal
  MS to determine which are PMDs.
• Gauge the success of such programs.

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Goals of Project -- Phase II

• Provide guidance to physics departments.
• Promote departments with PMDs.
• Promote physics education reform
  revitalization.
• Provide guidance to funding agencies.

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Features of Professional Masters Degree
Programscharacteristics fall into four general
categories

• Bridge-building
• Programmatic and Content Emphasis
• Research Experience
• Non-technical Aspects

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Characteristics of Professional Masters Degree
Programs

• Bridge-building
• External Advisory Committee
• Networking/Promoting Interaction with Industry

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Characteristics of Professional Masters Degree
Programs

• Programmatic and Content Emphasis
• Exploitation of Faculty Specialization
• Multidisciplinary Emphasis

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Characteristics of Professional Masters Degree
Programs

• Research Experience
• Research Ties with Industry (Non-Internship)
• Negotiated Partnerships with Industry
  (Internships, Projects, etc.)
• Hands-on Experience (Non-internship)

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Characteristics of Professional Masters Degree
Programs

• Non-technical Aspects
• Class Schedule Flexibility
• Development of Communication and Team Skills

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Programs Identified and Categorized(as of
January 2001)

• Strongest PMDs (22 programs)
• well-designed re nine categories
• avg. of 3 grads/yr
• most grads go into industry
• Strong PMDs (17 programs)
• well designed, strong features re nine
  categories
• avg. of 1-3 grads/yr
• New PMDs (22 programs)
• well-designed, strong features re nine
  categories
• too new to have had measurable impact/outcomes

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Strongest PMDs

• Appalachian State University
• Ball State University
• Cal. State Univ., Long Beach
• Christopher Newport University
• Columbia University
• East Carolina University
• Georgia Institute of Technology
• Idaho State University
• Illinois Institute of Technology
• Northern Illinois University
• Rose-Hulman Inst. of Tech.

• San Jose State University
• Texas Tech. University
• University of Central Oklahoma
• University of Mass., Lowell
• University of Oregon
• University of Rochester
• University of Texas, Austin
• University of Utah
• University of Vermont
• University of Washington
• Virginia Polytechnical Institute

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Strong PMDs

• Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University
• Cleveland State University
• Colorado School of Mines
• George Mason University
• Indiana University, Purdue
• Montana State University
• Northwestern University
• Oklahoma State University

• S.U.N.Y., Binghamton University
• University of Maine
• Univ. of Maryland, Baltimore County
• University of Massachusetts, Boston
• University of New Orleans
• Univ. of North Carolina, Charlotte
• University of Oklahoma
• University of Southern Mississippi
• Wright State University

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New PMDs

• Case Western Reserve University
• De Paul University
• George Washington University
• Indiana University of Pennsylvania
• John Carroll University
• Louisiana State Univ., Baton Rouge
• Louisiana Tech. University
• Michigan State University (Sloan)
• Northern Arizona University
• South Dakota Sch. of Mines Tech.
• Southern Illinois Univ., Edwardsville

• Southwest Texas State University
• S.U.N.Y. at Buffalo
• University of Arizona (Sloan)
• University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
• University of Kansas
• Univ. of Massachusetts, Dartmouth
• University of Memphis
• Univ. of Southern California (Sloan)
• University of South Florida
• Utah State University
• Washington State University

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Exemplary ProgramTexas Tech University

• Highest degree awarded at university PhD
• PMD options
• applied physics
• Masters Degree in Science with Internship
• Features
• emphasis in microelectronics and parametric
  testing
• caters to needs of Texas and Silicon Valley
• team-oriented approach in laboratories
• close relationship with EE
• students on internships get 7/12 support from
  industry
• development of leadership and communication
  skills

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Exemplary ProgramChristopher Newport University

• Highest degree awarded at university MS
• PMD options
• modeling simulation
• solid state systems
• advanced computer systems instrumentation
• computer science
• Focussed on industry needs and career advancement
• External advisory committee
• Features
• flexibility
• only night classes
• hands-on experience (instrumentation, hardware,
  software)

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Exemplary ProgramSan Jose State University

• Highest degree awarded at university MS
• PMD option
• computer science
• Silicon Valley location a plus
• Half of students employed full-time
• Focussed on industry needs and career advancement
• Features
• flexibility
• night classes widely available
• hands-on experience (instrumentation, hardware,
  software)
• dept. also has applied courses in lasers and
  optics

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Exemplary ProgramGeorgia Institute of Technology

• Highest degree awarded at university PhD
• PMD option
• applied physics with concentrations in optics and
  acoustics
• Well-established program (20 years old)
• Students complete practicum including a research
  report
• Strong ties to industry
• Closely linked to faculty specialties

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Exemplary ProgramVirginia Tech

• Highest degree awarded at university PhD
• Strong ties to employers through advisory
  committee
• Two satellite campuses to cater to working
  students
• Faculty research connections to industry
• PMD option
• applied and industrial physics
• Features
• internship required
• multidisciplinary
• flexible class scheduling (nights)

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Plans for the future

• Enhance web site.
• Work with Category II and III programs to ramp up
  their productivity.
• Work with aspiring PMD programs to help them get
  started.

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References

• Go to http//www.aip.org/professionalmasters
• PDF of report
• Links to PMD programs
• Related information
• Sloans program http//www.sciencemasters.com/

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THANK YOU!rczujko_at_aip.org bhammer_at_fi.edu