What is Master's degree: Definition and 75 Discussions

A master's degree (from Latin magister) is an academic degree awarded by universities or colleges upon completion of a course of study demonstrating mastery or a high-order overview of a specific field of study or area of professional practice. A master's degree normally requires previous study at the bachelor's level, either as a separate degree or as part of an integrated course. Within the area studied, master's graduates are expected to possess advanced knowledge of a specialized body of theoretical and applied topics; high order skills in analysis, critical evaluation, or professional application; and the ability to solve complex problems and think rigorously and independently.

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  1. H

    Applying for a PhD in Physics after a Master's degree

    Hi, I have a few questions about the timeline of pursuing a PhD after a master's degree. Applying for PhDs seems quite a hassle as of now because each university has their own set of application procedures, academic requirements and deadlines. I am currently in the process of navigating where...
  2. R

    Physics Is getting a Master's degree in physics worth it?

    Is getting a masters degree in physics worth it or is anything short of a PhD at the same level as a bachelors when it comes to job types and prospects?
  3. Menna_Ali

    How Hard is it to find a research job with a Master's degree in Physics?

    Hello everyone, ever since I was little I wanted to go into the research field, I have a bachelor degree in physics but I actually wanted to major in engineering because I am more of a doer and I enjoy experimenting with things on hand, but I had to major in physics because in my country (Egypt)...
  4. V

    Confusion on which Master's degree area to choose

    Hello all, I am trying to search for different areas to do masters which would match my interests. I am broadly interested in , fluids (aligned to general aerodynamics) especially compressible fluids , turbomachinery, rockets. I am thinking to work in some sector related to gas turbines or jet...
  5. C

    Courses The right Curriculum for a Physics Master's Degree (Quantum Optics & Info)?

    Hello everyone. I'm starting my M.Sc. in Physics in the summer term. I'm studying in Germany and completed a standard programm in the bachelor programm which consisted of the obligatory courses like Quantum Mechanics, Electrodynamics, Statistical Mechanics and Mechanics. I have to mention...
  6. C

    What can you do with a Master's degree in biophysics?

    What can you do with a masters degree in biophysics?
  7. A

    Programs Need advice about choosing Physics or Chemistry for my Master's degree

    Hi , I 'd like to make a master degree but am not sure which department should I join to meet my goals that I will tell you about shortly , let's begin by my background first, Background : I have a bachelor in computer and communications engineering , during my study I had basic Electronics...
  8. obstinatus

    Programs Choice of Master's degree program, Physics vs. Applied Math

    Hi All, I finished my BS in physics last year and currently work full-time in engineering. I want to pursue my dream of being a research physicist, but I wasn't a stellar undergraduate student, so I'll have to be a self-funded, part-time masters student at first, and I chose to live near the...
  9. K

    Physics Do you need a Master's degree to teach physics at an American university?

    Hello! Do you need to have a master on top of a PhD to teach at an American university? I see that most programs for PhD start right after undergrad and they are about 5-6 years and they give your a doctorate degree. Do you also get a master degree on top, or is that something separate you need...
  10. nikoladjal

    Other Topic for a Master's Degree in theoretical Astrophysics final project

    Hello all, I'm doing a Master's Degree in Theoretical Astrophysics and now I need to decide in which topic I will do my final project and I wanted to ask you what would be the best option. I would like to do something that would make me have some future in the investigational path I choose...
  11. G

    Programs Quantum Computation and Information Master's Degree

    I'm in a Physics BSc programme and I would like to delve into quantum computation and quantum information. There are two master's degree in Europe that I find interesting in particular: Quantum Engineering MSc at ETH Zurich and Applied Physics MSc at TU Delft (track in Quantum Devices and...
  12. Phylosopher

    Admissions Postponing starting my Master's degree (Germany)

    Hi,I have been accepted in one of the top universities in Germany. The program starts not very far from today (Summer 2020). Problem is that I have just established myself in my career as a teacher and I do not have a lot of money to support myself abroad. (just started two months from now) My...
  13. zezee42

    Physics Master's degree: Computational Science vs. Artificial Intelligence?

    Hello everyone, I study physics in Hungary and this is the last year of the BSc. After that I would like to do my Master's degree in Austria either at TU Wien (Computational Science and Engineering) or at JKU in Linz (Artificial Intelligence). My question is: which field has better career...
  14. J

    Programs Graduate Physics after MsC res in Chemical Biology and Bachelor in Biology

    I am 25 and I have graduated from Oxford university in Chemical Biology but strongly believe that I want to do Physics all my future life. I did my Masters by research on the department of Chemistry and I was co-supervised by Professor in Organic Chemistry and Professor in Physical Chemistry. So...
  15. gerardofingurbe

    Programs Applying To a PhD program before finishing your master's degree

    Hello , So let me explain my situation and why I want to do this, I'm currently in a physics' master at CINVESTAV, Mexico , my bachelor's degree is in electronics engineering and I obtained it at URBE in Venezuela, I'm Venezuelan and when I decided to leave Venezuela I did it with the intention...
  16. E

    Job Skills Leaving a 2nd Master's degree to accept an offer abroad

    This is my first post so don't be too harsh. I was just looking to get additional opinions in order to make a more informed decision. Since I always had the idea of becoming an astrophysicist I enrolled in Bsc in physics engineering (5 years) here, and due to being the top student I was invited...
  17. i_am_brendan

    Programs Recommendation for an online master's degree in astrophysics?

    Next year I'm considering an online masters in astrophysics / astronomy. Any recommendations / has anyone done one? Top universities in this field? I have a B.Sc and M.Sc in mathematics and strong background in computer science / data analytics so I want one which is technical. The options I...
  18. sebomba

    Other Influence of bachelor's thesis on further studies

    How does the topic of your bachelor's thesis influence your further progress in your master studies and chances to join a research group for a master's thesis? I basically try to achieve a career in experimental particle physics and I'd like to do a bachelor's thesis in said field, that is...
  19. Pi Pie

    Math Maximizing Employability with a Master's Degree After 30

    Hi, everyone. Here I am, once again, full of uncertainty as for my future. I've previously stated my situation in another thread so this time I'm going straight to the point. If all ends meet I'll be acquiring my Master's degree in applied and computational mathematics at the age of 32...
  20. D

    Other Should I finish my physics master's degree to pursue my career in IT

    I live in a former postsocialist country where master's degree (i.e. not only bachelor's) is considered to be a complete university education. Bachelor's degree usually takes 3 years to complete and master's takes another 2. To get a degree, you have to pass a so-called state exam at the end of...
  21. L

    Programs Need advice on what to do about my master's degree

    I have a major in mathematical physics and mathematics and I've started on graduate school january of the last year to get a master's degree in theoretical physics. My real interest is fundamental physics, specialy related to general relativity and quantum field theory. I've talked to a...
  22. Grands

    Programs How important is the master's degree in the USA?

    I've seen that a lots of people end his carrier as a student without doing the master degree, and my question is, how much this one in important in the USA? For example in Italy is very hard to find a job with only a bachelor's degree, and probably it will be underpaid, cause the bachelor's...
  23. R

    Programs Master's degree without ABET undergrad

    Hi all, I'm currently applying to a master's program in engineering. The program seems to be great except for one caveat - it's not ABET accredited. Nor do I think are any master's programs (correct me if I'm wrong on that). This isn't a problem for most applicants who have an ABET undergrad...
  24. C

    A question about second cycle studies

    Hello fellow science enthusiasts! I have a question about second cycle studies. I'm in my last year of high school and I wish to study applied physics. However, my choice of university doesn't offer a programme in applied physics. For a first cycle I can pick Physics, Astronomy or Physics Ed...
  25. D

    Engineering Physics bachelors to Engineering masters

    Can one do a physics bachelor's degree and carry on to pursue a master's in engineering? I was wondering if this would be a feasible and practical route.. I understand that I'd probably have to take a couple of extra engineering classes here and there but was thinking it probably wouldn't be...
  26. Leonardo Machado

    Physics Nuclear or Astrophysics master's degree?

    Hello everyone. I'm approaching the end of my physics graduation and must start to think about what to do next. I'm working in a project with a professor in the university about stellar sctructure and it captivated me. Now i don't know if i take the specialization in nuclear physics or...
  27. Luis Obis

    Programs Choosing a Master's degree in Physics

    I am a physics student from Spain and hopefully I will be finishing my degree in physics (4y) by next June. I am trying to decide on a Master's program to study but I am finding very difficult to decide since there are so many oportunities and so diverse specially when looking for programs...
  28. M

    Programs Astronomy master's degree with a bachelor's degree in law?

    Hello everybody, according to your experience please give me an advice, Can i go to an astrophysics& astronomy master's degree with a bachelor's degree in law ? I've studied Physics and Math 2 ( calculus, mechanices,algebra) in high school. i was getting high marks at them and I am so...
  29. ramzerimar

    Engineering Planning for a career with a Master's Degree [Counseling]

    I'm aware that a huge percentage of engineers (especially mechanical engineers) end up working in positions that require almost none of the knowledge they acquired during undergrad. I know that college isn't work, but I'm interested in pursuing a career that, at least, requires me to use some of...
  30. A

    Programs Where can I do a masters in Quantum Mechanics?

    I am an undergraduate student in India doing my final year BS degree in Math. I am extremely interested in quantum mechanics and want to peruse quantum computation. What is the best possible course that I can take for my Masters? There appears to be a limited number of colleges that offer a...
  31. Suman Saha

    Astrophysics Asytrophysics books for Master's degree

    I'm a master student in physics. I need suggestions for good astrophysics books with complete theoretical treatment.
  32. navierstokes

    Programs Merging MechE & Electronics for a master's degree?

    As a undergrad in Mechanical Engineering, I have a great interest in electronics. I have circuits and Arduino for a hobby, and I'm learning microcontroller programming by myself. When I got into college, I was torn between electrical and mechanical engineering, but ended up choosing the later...
  33. S

    Programs What is the best master's degree?

    Hi, I have my bachelor degree in engineering physics, laser and optics concentration. I want to enroll for master degree, and I want to have a job in business companies, not research lab or university. So what are the best choices for master (is it okay for universities to accept a student with...
  34. Eucliddo

    Exploring Career Paths: Master's Degree or Industry Experience?

    I'm currently working as a design engineer in an auto-components company in the Philippines. I just recently got my license last October and just got newly hired there. The working schedule is light and the environment is good. The training really develops my electronics ability. I want to...
  35. Experience111

    Schools University of Washington A&A Master's degree

    Hi, I'm interested in this master's degree with a concentration in plasma physics at the University of Washington. However, I realized that the Aeronautics and Aerospace department department is part of the College of Engineering and I don't really want to follow engineering centric courses as...
  36. jaskamiin

    Are master's 'easier' to get into than PhD?

    I'll give you my questions first, so you don't have to read the rest of the mess if you don't feel like it. are (non-thesis) master's programs typically less picky than a PhD program? are master's programs typically a good place where I could bolster my GPA with some mathematics courses that I...
  37. P

    My approach to physics seems pointless.

    Greetings. I completed my bachelor's in physics from the 'University of Delhi', India, an year ago and I wish to pursue a career in fundamental research. I knew that a Master's in Physics was a very serious business and thus took an year off making sure i was ready for it. However i have been...
  38. Y

    Programs Master's Degree in Computational Mechanics: Industry Jobs & Options

    Hey. I'll be finishing my bachelors (in Physics) in a month or so and it's about time to start thinking about a master's degree. I'm not very motivated to go pure Physics. I'm more inclined for something like "Computational Mechanics". Now, in this time and age it would be stupid of me to get...
  39. EternusVia

    Welcome to Graduate School Research in Mathematics

    Hi everyone, I'm currently researching graduate schools in mathematics. I would like to go for a PhD. My question is, do I apply directly to the PhD program? Or do I apply to the Master's program and apply for the PhD afterwards? What do people normally do?
  40. E

    Programs Shifting between two Master's Degrees

    I am currently a part-time student in the Master of Science in Astronomy course in our country (I already finished one semester, and I am currently taking the second one). However, my employer (I work at a research laboratory concerning meteorology), has suggested that I take a Master of Science...
  41. S

    Programs Master's degree in the U.S./U.K.?

    Hey everyone! I will be passing out of high school in three months' time and I will most probably be taking up a course with honours in physics. I will be doing my undergraduate studies in my home country (India). I want to know whether its worth going to the U.S./U.K. for a master's degree or...
  42. P

    Programs Alternative master's degree with a bachelor in physics

    I'm in my second year of my physics bachelor's (in the Netherlands) and my average score is about an 8.5. I like physics, but... I've already realized that an academic career in physics is not at all what i want to pursue. (eg. no theoretical physics/experimental physics in a lab). Basically...
  43. anandsingh

    Programs Master's Degree in both Physics & Computer Science?

    Hi, I am 28 years old. I have completed my B.Sc(Maths, Physics, Computer Science) in 2007. Immediately after that I have got job as a Software Engineer and worked for 2 years(2007-2009). But due to my interest in pursuing Masters in Physics. I have joined in M.Sc(Physics) in 2009 and in final...
  44. C

    How to excel at a Master's Degree

    Hi Guys, Please give me some advice! Kindly bear with me while I explain my situation. I'm incapable of explaining things briefly :( I'm 24 year old with a dual bachelor's degree (Physics + Mechanical Engineering Design). I graduated in Aug 2012 and immediately started working as a Design...
  45. M

    Programs Is an Accelerated Master's Degree Viewed Differently by PhD Programs?

    Hi, I'm thinking about future degree options and just realized my schools offers an accelerated Master's degree (1 year instead of 2) if I complete an honours thesis in my 4th year of undergrad. I was just wondering if this is looked down upon for potential PhD programs or for any other...
  46. F

    Programs How competitive are US terminal master's degree admissions?

    My original plan was to apply for grad school (PhD) for physics after my undergrad degree, but things didn't go as planned. Simply put, I performed poorly in my first few semesters, and while my grades improved towards the end of my undergraduate studies, they were not enough to compensate for...
  47. R

    Programs PhD application after a year and half out of Master's degree

    I graduated with a Master's degree about a year and a half ago and am considering applying to PhD programs in Canada. During this period, I have been working in a field completely unrelated to my previous education and the PhD programs that I intend to apply. I have mainly been teaching to kids...
  48. O

    Programs Master's Degree in Applied Physics?

    I'm sorry if this has been discussed before. I've searched for a thread about this topic, but I haven't found anything that directly answered my question. I will be studying engineering physics at Ohio State this fall and I'm not entirely sure if I will need graduate school to get the most out...
  49. B

    What master's degree should I take?

    I’m studying Industrial Engineering but it seems that I have nothing specific and it’s just about everything. I could say that it’s more mechanics related but we don’t study so specifically like mechanical engineers. That’s why I have some concerns about what these studies are making me. I don’t...
  50. F

    Admissions Is a master's degree harmful for a us student applying for phd programs?

    I am currently a us student in undergraduate math and physics, doing well in courses, having taken graduate courses in both areas, and have finished degree requirements for both math and physics during my second year in undergrad, but I stayed for one more year anyway. So, now, its my third...
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