Major Field of Study (MFS)

471-478 - Physics

471 - Physics - General

The study of the principle and laws of natural science employing the scientific method of observation, experimentation and the systematization of results. The scope of this field is wide ranging extending from the study of the universe in large-scale space and time to the investigation of sub-nuclear particles. Some of the basic areas of study included mechanics, thermodynamics, electricity and quantum mechanics.

• Example Program Names:

  • Physics

472 - Astronomy

Astronomy is the general study of all celestial bodies and phenomena based on observation, radio waves and inference. Some of the more recent discoveries in astronomy include hyper-energetic quasars, gyrating pulsars and inscrutable black holes.

• Example Program Names:

  • Astronomy
  • Astrophysics

473 - Nuclear Physics

Studies of the structures of atoms and the characteristics of electrons and other elementary particles which constitute the atom. Some of the topics include nuclear - nucleon interactions, nuclear structure, gamma transitions, alpha decay, beta decay and particle accelerators.

• Example Program Names:

  • Nuclear Physics

474 - Chemistry Physics

The study of the interrelationships between chemistry and physics.

• Example Program Names:

  • Chemical Physics
  • Chemistry and Physics
  • Physics and Chemistry

477 - Theoretical and Mathematical Physics

The study of the derivation and solution of mathematical equations representing physical phenomenon. Some current topics in this field include plasma physics, general relativity, group theory and chaos in dynamical systems.

• Example Program Names:

  • Mathematical Physics
  • Mathematics and Physics
  • Physics and Mathematics
  • Physics Mathematics
  • Theoretical Physics

478 - Physics - Other

Other not elsewhere classified subfields of physics such as applied physics, optics, particle physics and solid state physics.

• Example Program Names:

  • Applied Physics
  • Fiber Optics
  • Optics
  • Particle Physics
  • Solid State Physics
  • Thermodynamics