Candidates for the M.S. degree must complete a minimum of thirty semester hours of graduate work in residence. In the non-thesis program at least twenty-four semester hours must be in physics, and no more than nine of these may be in courses numbered below 600. In the thesis option, at least eighteen semester hours must be in physics, six of which may be in research guidance and not more than nine in courses numbered below 600. In addition the student must satisfactorily pass a comprehensive examination.