M.S. in Physics: Concentration: Professional In Photovoltaics

(MS-PP)

S.V. Khare and J. Palmer on behalf of Curriculum Committee of Physics and

Astronomy

Motivation

a. NSF proposal submitted by S. V. Khare, M. Heben, P. Komuniecki (Dean of Graduate School), Nov. 2009.

b. Status is pending, for $700k, to support 5 students entering fall 2010, and five students entering fall 2011 for a total of 20 student-years.

c. After these initial three years the program is supposed to be self-sustaining

d. Program not designed for UT to support any students. They should be self-funded or through company sponsors.

Common desired features of a MS-PP (partly NSF mandate)

a. A MS-PP degree holder should have strong prospects for employment, immediately upon graduation, in at least one of the following: (i) for-profit industry, (ii) non-profit organizations or (iii) government.b. Majority of the course work should be at the graduate level in the primary or multiple disciplines of science.c. A MS-PP degree should have a significant though minority portion of course work or training outside scientific area(s) of expertise. This is often, not always, in the field of business administration.d. A strong internship component outside of academia is a critical aspect of most MS-PP programs.e. A basic exposure to research in the scientific discipline of specialization through current topics, ideas, techniques, communication methods, and general awareness.

Constraints on the UT-MS-PP program

These constraints arise from the tight budgetary situation.

• The program should involve no new course offerings due to limitations on additional teaching time.

• The program should generate a non-negative revenue stream for UT.

Objectives

• To prepare master’s students with a strong foundation in the fundamentals of PV science and technology through focused course work.

• To complement their science education through course work in management, orienting them to the realities of the business aspects of manufacturing.

• To expose the M.S. students to a summer of research experience on the UT campus in the laboratories of world-expert faculty in the PV area.

• To place them as interns in local PV manufacturing facilities for six months to enhance their practical training and employability.

Semester Standard Courses (Credits) Individualized

Fall’10 Quantum Mechanics I - PHY 6320 (3)Semiconductors I - PHY 6630 (3)Technology Commercialization – EFSB

6690 OR New Venture Creation – EFSB 6590 (3)

Physics Journal Seminar – PHY 6020 (1)

Spring’11 Classical Electricity and Magnetism I – PHY 6230 (3)

Fundamental of Solar Cells - PHY 6980 (3)

Supply Chain Management – BUAD 6600 (3)

Physics Journal Seminar – PHY 6020 (1)

Summer’11 None PV research at UT (2)

Fall’11 Modern Physics Laboratory – PHY 6180 (3)

System Analysis and Design – INFS 6560(3)

Independent Study (3)

Spring’12 and Summer’12 None Internship Program at Company (6)

Scheduling of classes for the MS-PP program.

Thanks!