The Accelerated Master’s Program (AMP) in Physics at the University of Arizona offers highly motivated undergraduates the opportunity to earn both a Bachelor’s degree and a Master of Science in Physics within five years. This integrated 4+1 pathway allows qualified students to begin taking graduate-level (500+) courses during their senior year, with up to 12 units of coursework double-counted toward both degrees. The program provides a seamless transition from undergraduate to graduate study, preparing students for careers in semiconductor technology, quantum materials, applied physics, and related interdisciplinary fields, or for continued study at the doctoral level. The program is open to UA students majoring in Physics, Applied Physics, Electrical and Computer Engineering, or Materials Science and Engineering who wish to accelerate their path into the semiconductor industry and advanced technology sectors.
Example courses offered in this program:
- PHYS 560A Condensed Matter Physics
- PHYS 561 Semiconductor Physics
- PHYS 565 Quantum Materials and Devices ( lecture and lab)
- MSE/ECE 546 Semiconductor Processing
- MSE/ECE 547 Semiconductor Processing Lab
- MSE/ECE 580 Advanced Materials Characterization
A unique feature of this program is that students will receive hands-on training in the newly established FASTLab—not only gaining extensive experience in standard semiconductor manufacturing and characterization processes, including vacuum technology, thin-film deposition, photolithography, and etching, but also developing skills in emerging post-CMOS technologies such as high-mobility two-dimensional materials, energy-efficient nonvolatile memories, and solid-state quantum computing.
AMP Admission Requirements
- Completion of a minimum of 75 undergraduate credit hours will be required at the time of application; a minimum of 90 undergraduate credit hours will be required at the time of entry into the AMP. If the student’s GPA falls below 3.3 at the time they have completed 90 units, the student will not be admitted into the program. Courses taken for audit may not be included in the total number of units counted for eligibility or admission.
- Completion of at least 12 earned undergraduate credits in their major at the University of Arizona.
- Units still graded Incomplete, units graded Pass/Fail or units taken as audit will not count toward the requirement of the 12 undergraduate units in the major.
- Completion or near completion of general education requirements.
- Submission of a graduate AMP application and payment of a graduate application fee.
- Demonstration of the maturity necessary for success in an accelerated, highly competitive program.
- Expectation to complete the undergraduate degree within four years. The undergraduate degree requirements must be completed before the student is eligible to have the Master’s degree awarded.
AMP Degree & Tuition Policies
- Students will be considered undergraduates until they complete their undergraduate requirements, which should be no later than the end of the fourth year.
- Students entering with Advanced Placement Credit and/or who attend summer school may complete their Bachelor’s degree in the Junior year.
- During years 1-3 (or approximately 0-90 credits) students will be taking undergraduate coursework and charged at the undergraduate rate.
- Once admitted to AMP, during the senior (or transition year), students may take up to 12 units of graduate coursework that may apply toward both the Bachelor’s and the Master’s degrees. Students will be charged at the undergraduate rate and retain eligibility for undergraduate scholarships.
- Students classified as seniors who have not yet completed a bachelor's degree may enroll in 500-level courses following the Graduate Credit for Seniors Policy. Courses numbered at the 600, 700 and 900 levels are not open to undergraduates.
- When a student who has been admitted to the AMP program nears completion of all Bachelors’ requirements, the student will submit an application for admission to the graduate Master’s program. No application fee is required for this step. The student should apply by the program application date. Once the student has graduate status, the student will be charged at the graduate rate and be eligible for graduate assistantships. The student won’t be eligible to graduate nor will they be eligible for assistantships until all Bachelors’ requirements are completed. While an undergraduate, students are required to keep their graduate coursework cumulative GPA at 3.0, or higher if required by the graduate degree offering unit, to be admitted to the Master’s program.
- Should a student have completed 12 graduate credits, but not yet completed the undergraduate degree, they will be considered graduate for financial aid and tuition purposes and coded as ‘graduate’ in UAccess. They will no longer be eligible for undergraduate scholarships, nor will they be eligible for graduate assistantships.
- At least 12 graduate credits must be taken while in graduate status, after completing all degree requirements for the Bachelor’s.
- Students should be encouraged to complete their undergraduate requirements as soon as possible, but not later than one semester before receiving their Master’s degree. Students finishing their undergraduate requirements later than one semester before receiving their Master’s degree will no longer be eligible for undergraduate scholarships, nor will they be eligible for graduate assistantships. Neither degree will be awarded until the undergraduate requirements are completed along with the Master’s requirements.
Quantum technology is an important component of this program. Students are required to have completed an undergraduate course in Quantum Mechanics (e.g., PHYS 371 or an equivalent), or a course covering the fundamentals of quantum mechanics (such as MSE 365, ECE 352, or an equivalent). If you are unsure whether you have met this requirement, please contact the graduate program coordinator.
You need a special authorization code to apply for the AMP. If you meet the requirement outlined above, email your transcript to the graduate program coordinator to obtain the code.
A limited number of scholarships may be available each year, and applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible once they meet the eligibility requirements.
