MSc Physics Syllabus & Subjects 2024

MSc Physics syllabus emphasises providing students with in-depth knowledge of different principles of Physics. In the two-year course, the students get the learning required for making a career in the domain of Physics and its related fields. The course targets lending the students the skills and experience in the specialised area as well. The MSc Physics subjects include topics such as Solid-State Physics, Electronics, Mathematical Physics, Statistical Mechanics, Renewable Energy Sources, etc.

When studying for an MSc in Physics, students can choose to specialise in Quantum Mechanics, Thermodynamics, Optics, Atomic & Molecular Physics, Biophysics, and Classical Mechanics. The MSc Physics syllabus is meant to build up the industrial and academic skills of the students. Its primary goals are to develop professional skills and enable the students to perform key roles in their work area. The entire course is designed with lecture and laboratory-class-oriented teaching methodologies. Thus, the MSc in Physics course curriculum meets the needs and demands of the students and teaching faculties. Some MSc Physics subjects covered commonly include Classical Mechanics, Quantum Mechanics, Electronics, Spectroscope, Atomic Physics, Electromagnetics, Nuclear Physics, etc. This page discusses everything about the MSc Physics syllabus and subjects such as semester-wise topics covered, best reference books, specialisations offered, and more.

The MSc Physics syllabus is regulated with some essential and significant subjects. In the two-year duration of the course, different core and elective subjects are taught to the students. Most colleges and universities in India follow a UGC-instructed curriculum, however, it may differ slightly from one college to another. The MSc Physics subjects are incorporated uniformly into two years or four semesters. The first-year subjects fall under the first and second semesters and the second-year subjects are in the fourth and fifth semesters, respectively. The table below shows the semester-wise MSc Physics syllabus and subjects that the students can check for their understanding as a reference.

MSc Physics 1st Year Syllabus

Listed below are the semester-wise MSc Physics subjects included in the first year:

MSc Physics 2nd Year Syllabus

Listed below are the semester-wise MSc Physics subjects included in the first year:

There are different streams in the MSc Physics. Two of the most important MSc Physics course are MSc Geophysics and MSc Nuclear Physics. The MSc streamwise subjects for these two courses are mentioned below: 

1.MSc Geophysics

MSc Geophysics is an important stream of MSc Physics. Being a branch of earth science, it is one of the most sought-after courses among students. Laboratory studies, experiments, and traditional classroom instruction all are crucial parts of the Geophysics syllabus. The subjects included in the MSc Geophysics syllabus are as follows:

·       Elements of Geology

·       Solid Earth Geophysics 

·       Geoexploration and Surveying

·       Fundamentals of Physics & Mathematics

·       Language and Communication Skills I

·       Electrical Methods

·       Applied Geology 

·       Gravity and Magnetic Methods

·       Practical Modules I

·       Numerical Methods and Computer Programming

·       Language and Communication Skills II

·       Practical Module II

2. MSc Nuclear Physics

The syllabus of MSc Nuclear Physics helps the students to explore a wide range of subjects related to the field. Some of the MSc Physics streamwise subjects for Nuclear Physics are mentioned below:

MSc Physics course subjects offer lifelong learning to students. They get knowledge of scientific principles and learn how to apply them in their projects. Fundamental concepts explained through the subjects make the learners technically sound. It is previously mentioned that the MSc Physics encompasses both core and elective subjects. The course includes open elective and specialisation subjects. Electives are optional subjects that are not compulsory and students are allowed to choose those subjects. The following is a discussion about the year-wise MSc in Physics subjects offered in the course syllabus:

First-Year MSc Physics Subjects

The following table highlights the semester-wise MSc in Physics subjects for the first year:

Second-Year MSc Physics Subjects

The following table highlights the semester-wise MSc in Physics subjects for the second year:

The goal of MSc Physics courses is to teach students the foundational ideas of physics. Delivering the curriculum through workshops, seminars, lectures, and hands-on lab work is one way. The culmination of the two semesters will be a research-based project that the candidates must finish. The assessment, classwork, final exams, project reports, internships, and exams at the end of the semester comprise the final results. The core curriculum for the MSc in Physics is the same regardless of the educational institution, while the specific disciplines may differ. Applicants can check out the common MSc Physics subjects listed in the table below:

• Biophysics
• Classical Mechanics
• Electromagnetism & Electronics
• Geophysics
• Optics & Atomic & Molecular Physics
• Quantum mechanics
• Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics

Optional or elective MSc Physics subjects are an integral part of the entire course curriculum. The students are allowed to choose the optional subjects from different specialisations. These subjects are offered to students enrolled in similar courses. The study of the optional subjects helps students to implant various expertise along with firming the fundamental concepts. The list below includes a few of the elective /optional MSc Physics subjects taught in some universities:

• Astrophysics
• Cosmology
• Energy Harvesting and Storage Devices

The lab subjects for MSc Physics are incorporated into the syllabus aiming to train the students to perform elementary to advanced experiments. By acquiring the knowledge of lab subjects, students get a good scope of improving their practical and theoretical concepts. 

These subjects prepare them to work in the front-line areas of the research field. Consequently, the opportunity for higher studies in the research field increases. Listed below are the MSc Physics lab subjects:

• Nuclear Physics
• Material Science
• Computational Physics
• Electronics
• Particle Physics

The subject knowledge of MSc Physics specialisations helps students to develop expertise in a certain field. The specialization-specific study increases the value of the overall learning of the course. The dynamic environment of the job market evolves a lot. Likewise, employers’ requirements and technological advancement also change rapidly. Hence, students should be well-informed about their subject of interest. They must have adequate knowledge of the course syllabus so that they can find the most suitable MSc Physics specialisations offered to them. The following list shows some popular specialisations included in this programme:

• Particle Physics
• Bio and Medical Physics
• Geophysics
• Nuclear Physics
• Quantum Physics

As a popular field of study, the MSc Physics course is also available in the distance learning mode. In this mode of learning, the course can be completed within a five-year duration maximum. The students can pursue the course at their own pace and comfort. Unlike the traditional classes that require a higher fee, the course fee for MSc Physics distance learning is INR 12,000 to 60,000. The distance course aims at building the right expertise and experience for the students. The following is a discussion about the year-wise MSc Physics syllabus for distance programs which students can use for reference.

First-Year MSc Physics Syllabus for Distance Programs

The following table highlights the first-year semester-wise MSc Physics subjects for distance programs:

Second-Year MSc Physics Syllabus for Distance Programs

The following table highlights the second-year semester-wise MSc Physics subjects for distance programs:

Both the national and university-level entrance exams are conducted for the screening of MSc Physics aspirants. After the results are declared the students are selected based on their scores earned in the entrance exams. To help the students prepare for the exam, the authorities publish the MSc Physics syllabus for the specific entrance tests.  The table below shows the prescribed MSc Physics syllabus for entrance exams:

NEST Exam: The NEST exam syllabus includes important topics such as Vectors, Thermodynamics, Thermal physics, Systematics, Solutions, Solid state, Reproductive Systems, Reactive intermediates, Phenols, Nervous System, Integral calculus, Electricity and magnetism, Electric current, Digestive System, Differential calculus, Circulatory System, Chemical equilibrium, Capacitance, Biology of Plant Systems, Aromatic compounds, Analytical geometry, Alkenes and Alkynes, etc.

IPU CET Exam: The IPU CET exam syllabus includes important topics such as Rehabilitation in Clinical Sciences Musculoskeletal (Physiotherapy), Recombinant DNA Technology, Plant and Animal Biotechnology, Operating Systems, Occupational Therapy in Rehabilitation of Neurological Conditions, Occupational Therapy in Mental Health, Immunology, Electrotherapy, Discrete Mathematics, Computer Organisation, Bioinformatics, and more.

IIT JAM Exam: The IIT JAM exam syllabus includes important topics such as Chemical Thermodynamics, Atomic and Molecular Structure, Bonding in molecules, Plant Biology, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Probability, Organic Reaction Mechanism and Synthetic Applications, Aromatic and Heterocyclic Chemistry, and more.

CUET PG Exam: The CUET PG exam syllabus includes important topics such as Soil Science & Agricultural Chemistry, Plant Physiology, Mycology & Plant Pathology, Horticulture, Genetics & Plant Breeding, Entomology, Agronomy, Agricultural Extension Education, Agricultural Engineering & Statistics, Agricultural Economics, and more.

BITSAT Exam: The BITSAT exam syllabus includes important topics such as Work and Energy, Two-dimensional Coordinate Geometry, Trigonometry, Three-dimensional Coordinate Geometry, Thermodynamics, Rotational Motion, Physical and Chemical Equilibria, Newton’s Laws of Motion, Kinematics, Impulse and Momentum, Gravitation, Electrochemistry, Chemical Kinetics, Algebra, and more.

Selecting the best books for an MSc Physics course is critical as they cover all the important topics and major subjects. Familiarising the students with subject-related concepts is the aim of these books. All the textbooks contain contextual illustrations. The illustrations are helpful to arouse students’ interest in the subject. The concepts and physics-based principles included in the books help to understand the related matters more broadly. Descriptive analysis and questionnaires are an important part of the Physics books. Listed below are the names of MSc Physics books that can serve as a guide to the students:

The course structure for this postgraduate degree includes both core and optional subjects. Through these subjects, fundamental and specific topic-related concepts are explained to the students. Lab classes are conducted to help the students get immersed in theoretical understanding. While the first-year MSc Physics syllabus provides learning on basic fundamental concepts, the second-year syllabus deals with specific subject-related concepts. At the end of semester IV, students need to complete a research project.

Conventional classroom training and practical and audiovisual demos, case studies, group discussions, and kinesthetic learning all are implemented to provide the best quality education to the students. The following pointers briefly highlight the MSc Physics course structure:

• IV semesters
• Core subjects
• Optional subjects
• Lab sessions
• Research Project / Thesis Submission