Interdisciplinary Studies with a Concentration in Science and Technology (MSIS)

General Overview

The Department of Physics and Astronomy offers a 36-hour interdisciplinary master’s program, the Master of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies (MSIS) in Science and Technology designed for STEM teachers and/or STEM majors who aim for interdisciplinary training and research. Depending on the intended career path, MSIS students will choose 18 hours of physics courses and 9 hours each in two interdisciplinary areas which include Education, Chemistry, Educational Technology, Computer Science, and Mathematics. Thesis and non-thesis options are available in the MSIS program. These options provide opportunities for students to enhance their scientific knowledge as well as develop skills necessary in conducting interdisciplinary scientific research. Graduates of the program will have interdisciplinary training in physics, mathematics, chemistry, instructional technology, computer science, and STEM teaching and research preparing them to be more competitive in the rapidly changing work environment.

Admission Requirements

To be admitted to the graduate program in physics education, prospective candidates must first meet all requirements for graduate admission to UT Rio Grande Valley, as well as the other requirements listed below:

  1. Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution in the United States or a recognized international equivalent in a similar or related field.
  2. Undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 in the last 60 semester credit hours.
  3. GRE General test. GRE test scores are valid for 5 years.
  4. Personal  statement  detailing  professional  goals  and  reasons  for pursuing the graduate degree.
  5. Resume
  6. Two  letters  of  recommendation  from  referees  conversant  with the candidate’s academic background.

Application for admission must be submitted prior to the published deadline. The application is available at www.utrgv.edu/gradapply.

Students entering the program should have science background to be admitted into the MSIS in Physics Education program. The program requires 16-18 hours of physics courses (including PSCI 1421, PSCI 1422, PHYS 1401 and PHYS 1402 and advanced physics hours) for students/teachers coming from other disciplines to be admitted to the program on a non-conditional basis. Others may be admitted to the program under a conditional status on a case by case basis.

Admission is possible in all semesters but is restricted to in-service teachers or to those who are intending to enter the teaching profession.

Program Requirements

Graduation Requirements

Graduation requirements include successful completion of 36 semester hours of approved graduate credit and the successful completion of a written comprehensive examination. Students are expected to take the written comprehensive exam after completing their graduate physics core courses. Students should contact the program director to schedule the comprehensive exam.

Required Courses (18 Credits)

Choose from the following courses:

PHYS 5387Special Topics in Physics

3

PHYS 5394Advanced Statistical Methods for Modern Astronomy

3

PHYS 5398Introduction to Computational Nano-optics and Nano-technology

3

PHYS 5404Physics by Inquiry I

4

PHYS 5405Physics by Inquiry II

4

PHYS 6301Topics in Physics for Teachers

3

PHYS 6302Environmental Physics for Teachers

3

PHYS 6303Quantum Information

3

PHYS 6310Electromagnectics

3

PHYS 6352Computational Physics

3

PHYS 6355Computational Physics II

3

PHYS 6379Scientific Programming

3

PHYS 6400Astronomy by Sight

4

PHYS 7300Thesis I

3

PHYS 7301Thesis II

3

PHYS 7300 and PHYS 7301: Required for Thesis Track

Interdisciplinary Areas

Choose TWO areas from the following:

Education Course (9 Credits)
Choose from the following recommended courses:
EDCI 6304Assessment of Learning

3

EDCI 6306Special Topics in Education

3

EDCI 6307Research, Issues and Trends in Education

3

EDCI 6308Advanced Educational Research

3

EDCI 6344Assessment, Current Issues and Research in Science Education

3

EDCI 7334Curriculum Problems and Processes

3

EDFR 6300/EDFR 6301Research Methods in Education

3

Chemistry (9 Credits)
Choose from the following recommended courses:
CHEM 6302Environmental Chemistry

3

CHEM 6330Special Topics in Organic Chemistry

3

CHEM 6340Special Topics in Inorganic Chemistry

3

CHEM 6350Special Topics in Analytical Chemistry

3

CHEM 6360Special Topics in Physical Chemistry

3

CHEM 6370Special Topics in Chemical Education

3

CHEM 6380Special Topics in Biochemistry

3

Computer Science (9 Credits)
Choose from the following recommended courses:
CSCI 6303Principles of Information Technology Systems

3

CSCI 6307Foundations of Systems in Computer Science

3

CSCI 6315Applied Database Systems

3

CSCI 6350Advanced Artificial Intelligence

3

CSCI 6361Computer Visualization

3

CSCI 6363Human Computer Interaction

3

CSCI 6366Data Mining and Warehousing

3

CSCI 6367Digital Image Processing

3

Educational Technology (9 Credits)
Choose from the following recommended courses:
EDTC 6320Instructional Technology

3

EDTC 6321Instructional Design

3

EDTC 6323Multimedia/Hypermedia

3

EDTC 6329Selected Topics in Educational Technology

3

EDTC 6341Student-Centered Learning Using Technology

3

Mathematics (9 Credits)
Choose from the following recommended courses:
MATH 6307Collegiate Mathematics Teaching

3

MATE 6310Mathematics Teaching and Learning Theories

3

MATH 6325Contemporary Geometry

3

MATH 6328Special Topics in Mathematics Teaching

3

Modeling of Dynamical Systems for STEM Professionals (9 Credits)
Choose from the following recommended courses:
PSCI 5301Dynamics for STEM Professionals

3

PSCI 5302Mathematical Methods for STEM Professionals

3

PSCI 5303Electricity and Magnetism for STEM Professionals

3

PSCI 5304Quantum Ideas for STEM Professionals

3

Capstone Requirement (Non-Thesis)

Written Comprehensive Exam

Total Credit Hours: 36