SFSU Physics and Astronomy

GRADUATE PROGRAM

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DEPARTMENT CHAIR Prof. Susan Lea

ASSOCIATE CHAIR Prof. James Lockhart

GRADUATE ADMISSIONS Prof. Jeffrey Greensite

GRADUATE ADVISOR Prof. Maarten Golterman

Application for Graduate Study

Department of Physics and Astronomy
San Francisco State University
1600 Holloway Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94132

Application for admission in the Spring 2009 semester should be received by November 1, 2008. International students (including anyone whose undergraduate work was done outside the US) should apply by the priority deadline of September 15, 2008. Students who wish to be considered for teaching assistantships should apply as soon as possible; preferably by October 1, 2008 (though this is not a firm deadline).

To request more information, contact the chair of the admissions committee, Jeff Greensite (greensit (at) stars.sfsu.edu).

The first step in the application process is:

• The Standard Graduate Application form. To apply on line, contact the SFSU Graduate Division. (You should apply on-line, or you may download the forms if you do not have good internet access. The university is moving toward on-line applications only.)
  

Next:

• Mail or hand-deliver all of the following items, preferably all in one envelope to:
  Graduate Amissions Committee,
  Department of Physics and Astronomy,
  San Francisco State University,
  1600 Holloway Avenue,
  San Francisco, CA 94132.
• 
  
• Official transcripts from all universities and colleges you have attended. (These may be sent separately by the institution.)
  If you have your transcripts sent directly to the graduate division, please let us have copies or include a note saying that the transcripts are being sent to the graduate division. They will not send transcripts to the department until they have evaluated them. This may delay our evaluation of your application, especially if you apply near the deadline.  


• The Physics Applicant Information Form 
• The All-Science Transcript Form
including scores for the General Aptitude portion of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE).  Subject GRE scores may also be included here.  
• The completed All-Science Transcript Form must accompany the application.
• Be sure to include all pertinent courses that will also appear on your official transcripts.  Type directly onto the form and it will compute your science gpa.   Then print it out and mail it to us.
• A 1-3 page (typed) Statement of Purpose. This statement should state your interests and goals within Physics and Astronomy.
• Two Letters of Recommendation, preferably from professors who can address your potential for graduate study, and your aptitude as a teaching assistant (if you are applying for a TA position).
  
• Applicants should obtain recommendation letters from referees in sealed envelopes with the referee's signature over the sealed flap, and include them with their entire application
• GRE scores must be sent by ETS to reach us by the application deadline.

When the Physics and Astronomy Department Office receives this information, the completed file is forwarded to the graduate admissions committee, which evaluates the applicant's file and recommends admission or denial based on the following criteria:

(a) Grade point average in the undergraduate major - Minimum required GPA in science courses is 2.75.

(b) Completion of course work equivalent to SFSU B.S. degree requirements in physics

(c) Statement of purpose

(d) Letters of recommendation

(e) GRE scores ( Physics GRE scores are not required for admission but may be helpful if your gpa is below 3.0 and your GRE score is good. General GRE scores are required. )

All students are admitted as conditionally classified.

A conditionally classified student must meet certain conditions (such as specific course equivalencies) as stated in the letter of acceptance to the Graduate Program. Any specific conditional course requirements must be taken on a letter grade basis and may not be used as part of the 30-unit Master's course requirements. Students are advanced to candidacy (and full classified status) upon filing the graduate approved program (GAP)- usually at the beginning of your final year of study. Other than conditions that must be satisfied prior to filing their GAP, conditionally classified graduate students have the full privileges and opportunities of all graduate students.

All students will take a placement test prior to enrolling in classes.  After the test each student will meet with the graduate coordinator to work out an appropriate program of study.

The Graduate Studies section of the San Francisco State University Bulletin is a comprehensive source of all the Master's degree requirements. It is a university catalogue which describes all programs, requirements, and courses offered at the University. It may be purchased from:

The SFSU Bookstore, Student Union Building, San Francisco State University, San Francisco, CA 94132.

Remember that applicants must also submit a CSU Graduate Admissions Application on line.

Graduate Division, ADM 254, San Francisco State University, 1600 Holloway Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94132 (415) 338-2234

The application file should be complete no later than one month after the application deadline. This includes letters, official transcripts and official GRE scores sent by ETS.  Under no circumstances will applications be considered if they are not completed at least one month before the start of the semester of desired entry. 

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Updated July 21, 2008