The five-year combined Bachelor's/Master's degree physics program provides undergraduate students the opportunity to earn a Master of Science (M.S.) degree in five years. Students are able to start their graduate coursework in their junior year and can use up to two elective requirements between degrees. This program is designed for students who intend to go into industry upon graduation and is not well-suited for those who ultimately want to obtain a Ph.D. in physics. The Combined B.S./MS. has a two-stage application, one at the departmental level (due second quarter of junior year) and then another at the graduate program level (due first quarter of senior year). Upon successful completion of their undergraduate requirements students are awarded their B.S. in Physics, and providing that they still meet the relevant criteria, may continue into the M.S. program. In order to be awarded the M.S. students finish any remaining M.S. coursework and then defend their M.S. thesis.