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01-02 LS&A Bulletin

Physics

The Department of Physics offers: (1) a Concentration Program in Physics ; (2) a Concentration Program in General Physics; (3) a Concentration Program in Biophysics.

A total of 60 credits of mathematics and natural science must be elected to receive the Bachelor of Science degree.

Special Departmental Policy for concentrators. Physics 390, 401, 405, 406, and 453 must be completed with a minimum grade of C- in each course and a cumulative average of C or higher.

Advising. A concentration plan in physics is developed in consultation with and must be approved by the concentration advisor. The advisor's name and consultation hours will be available at the Physics Student Services Office, 2464 Randall Lab.

Physics Help Room (1416 Randall Lab). The The Physics Help Room was created to help students in Introductory Physics classes. The Help Room is staffed (usually between the hours of 8 and 5 in the fall and winter) with graduate students on a full time basis who are available to answer questions on most all undergraduate physics courses. It also provides a central meeting place for GSIs of Introductory Physics to hold office hours. Services in the Physics Help Room are free to all U-M students.

Many graduate student instructors hold their office hours in the Help Room and are available to answer questions on all introductory labs. The Help Room is staffed (usually between the hours of 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. in the fall and winter) with graduate students on a full time basis who are available to answer questions on most all undergraduate physics courses.

The University of Michigan C. Wilbur Peters Chapter of Society of Physics Students. The Society of Physics Students is an independent branch of the American Institute of Physics dedicated to serving physics undergraduate and graduate students and furthering interest in physics throughout the student body and the local community.

The Society sponsors seminars with guest speakers, student-faculty mixer lunches, Inreach/Outreach efforts with local elementary and middle schools and the Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum, research trips to major physics research centers. The group also provides tutoring sessions in the Physics Help Room.

All students with an interest in physics, regardless of discipline, are welcome to join.

Undergraduate Awards and Prizes.

The Williams Award. The Williams Award, honoring the memory of Professor W. Williams, is a cash award for the best thesis submitted by a graduating senior. The award is presented at the Undergraduate Awards Ceremony the day before graduation in April.

Bodine Scholarship. The Bodine Scholarship is awarded to a declared physics concentrator of proven academic ability and covers the cost of tuition up to $10,000 for the junior year at the University of Michigan. This support continues for the senior year if the scholarship holder maintains a GPA of 3.2 during the junior year. It is awarded every second year.
The Addison-Wesley Book Award. The Addison-Wesley Book Award is given to a graduating senior for outstanding physics achievement. The award is presented at the Undergraduate Awards Ceremony the day before graduation in April.

The Wiley Book Award. Established in 1996, the Wiley Book Award is presented for outstanding achievement by an undergraduate physicist. The award is presented at the Undergraduate Awards Ceremony the day before graduation in April.

The William L. Williams Award for a senior thesis. All graduating seniors writing a thesis are eligible for the Williams Award. This is a cash award established in memory of Professor William L. Williams. It is presented for the best thesis submitted by a graduating senior, to recognize students who "exhibit excellence in posing a question, conducting independent investigation, and determining an answer." The award is presented at the Undergraduate Awards Ceremony the day before graduation in April.

Summer support for thesis research. Each summer the physics department awards research participation salary grants to physics concentrators who are just beginning their thesis research. Students receiving these awards get three months of salary support so they can spend their summer laying the foundation necessary for a significant research project. Application for these awards is made during the first weeks of the winter term preceding the senior year.

Teaching Certificate. A teaching certificate with a teaching major in Physics requires 30 credits of physics; a teaching minor requires 20. Teaching Major and minor refer to the program emphasis necessary for certification. Students wishing an LS&A degree in Physics should follow the programs for the BS degree in Physics or General Physics. In addition to the physics courses, Math 115, 116, 215, and 216 or the equivalent must be completed. Some physics courses have math prerequisites. Please consult a program advisor early in your planning.

A teaching certificate major in physics must include

  1. Physics 140/141, 240/241, and 340/341 or the equivalent. (15 credits)
  2. One course from the list: Physics 103, 104, 106, 107, 116, 201, 250. (1-3 credits).
  3. Additional courses from the list: Physics 288, 390, 401, 402, 405, 441, 442, 455. (12-14 credits).

A teaching certificate minor in physics must include

  1. Physics 140/141, 240/241, and 340/341 or the equivalent. (15 credits)
  2. Students should select one course from the list: Physics 103, 104, 106, 107, 116, 201, 250. (1-3 credits).
  3. Additional courses from the list: Physics 288, 390, 401, 402, 405, 441, 442, 455. (2-4 credits).

A teaching certificate with a teaching major in Physical Science requires 16 credits of physics; a teaching minor requires 10 credits. Teaching Major and minor refer to the program emphasis necessary for certification. Students wishing an LS&A degree in Physics should follow the programs for the BS degree in Physics or General Physics. In addition to the physics courses, Math 115, and 116 or the equivalent must be completed. Some physics courses have math prerequisites. Please consult a program advisor early in your planning.

A teaching certificate major in physical science must include

  1. Completion of one of the following sequences:
    1. Physics 125/127 and Physics 126/128, or
    2. Physics 140/141 and 240/241. (8-10 credits)
  2. Two courses from the list: Physics 103, 104, 106, 107, 116. (2-6 credits)
  3. Additional courses from the list: Physics 201, 250, 288. (0-6 credits)

A teaching certificate minor in physics must include (8-10 credits)

  1. Completion of one of the following sequences:
    1. Physics 125/127 and Physics 126/128, or
    2. Physics 140/141 and 240/241.
  2. Additional courses from the list: Physics 103, 104, 106, 107, 116, 201, 250, 288.

 

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