Without Thesis This is not a common degree path because most MS students graduate with thesis. Under special circumstances, a student may take this degree path, however, a pre-approval by the graduate coordinator has to be given. Course requirement : The following 5 courses (PHYS 8011, PHYS 8101, PHYS 8102, PHYS 8201, and PHYS 8301), the scientific presentation course (PHYS 8950), 7 hours of 6000-level and/or 8000-level PHYS or ASTR courses (these will constitute the student’s area of concentration), and 2 courses at the 6000-level and/or 8000-level that are outside of the department but are in a related field. Grade requirement For both MS and Ph.D. degrees, a GPA of 3.0 or better has been maintained in all graduate courses taken. No course with grade below 'C' or lower can be used in the Program of Study.