Physics
To the student interested in science, physics offers a fascinating field of work, with career opportunities in teaching, in private industry, in government, or in independent research organizations. PhysicsPhysics is one of the broadest and most active fields of science. Its purpose is to understand the most basic principles of the physical world. Its accomplishments influence many aspects of our lives: other sciences, philosophy, world affairs, industry, and ultimately the way human beings live their lives. Underlying each advance in physics is the curiosity, determination, and hard work of well-trained scientists. It is understandable that these qualities are necessary when one remembers the challenge that these physicists accept. They venture after nature's secrets. They want to know the properties of matter, what governs its motion, of what it is composed, and the nature of the interactions among its components. They want to understand the phenomena associated with electricity, magnetism, radiation, heat, gravitation, and the relations among them. They want to understand entities ranging in size from the entire cosmos to the smallest particles of which all matter in the universe is built. They are interested in order and in chaos. The full range of ideas that excites their active curiosity is broader than any list could indicate. Among their rewards is the assurance that for each fascinating problem they solve, other problems will be born. There is also the deep satisfaction of being able to use their imaginative talent to the full measure of its capability. Among those who have contributed to understanding our physical world are men and women representing many nations, races, and cultures. As in all quests for knowledge, the search is enriched by stimulating communication and personal contact with other scientists with varying viewpoints and backgrounds. As a result, physicists regard frequent conferences, ready exchange of information, and publication of research results as essential parts of their professional responsibility. Many of the required studies leading to a career in physics are sequential. Therefore, young men and women who contemplate careers in physics should reach a decision as early as possible in order to take full advantage of early advising and education. Career OpportunitiesPhysicists are employed mainly by educational institutions, private industry, government, and non-profit organizations. Many physicists have started new scientific enterprises. The bachelor's degree in physics is an excellent preparation for a wide variety of scientific activities and professions. Additionally, students thinking about careers in patent law, science writing, or public policy should consider the advantages of a physics concentration. The student electing physics as a concentration should know that it is one of the more demanding courses of study, but that by the same token, he or she will become one of a select and highly qualified group. Physics at MichiganThe University of Michigan has one of the country's leading departments of physics. It has abundant facilities for undergraduate and graduate instruction in physics and offers a wide variety of experimental and theoretical research programs. The Department of Physics reexamines its physics curriculum periodically. It has augmented its intermediate and advanced laboratory courses designed for students seriously interested in physics. These students, at the junior and senior level, are encouraged to add to existing experiments and to carry out ideas of their own. The laboratory program has been planned to include investigations in many branches of physics and, accordingly, is guided by physics faculty members representing various fields of specialization. Prerequisites to the Undergraduate Concentration ProgramsStudents who wish to concentrate in physics must complete Mathematics 216 or the equivalent (Introduction to Differential Equations). The recommended sequence for beginning physics at Michigan is PHYSICS 140/141 and 240/241.This introductory sequence is followed by Physics 340/341 which may be elected concurrently with PHYSICS 401 or 405 or any intermediate laboratory course; Physics concentrators are encouraged to take PHYSICS 160/141 and 260/241, the Honors sequence. It is not, however, a requirement. The B.S. in Physics Concentration Program. Students must complete at least 30 credits in physics courses numbered 390 and above. A concentration plan also must include:
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. PHYSICS 419, 420, 481, and 489 are not acceptable for the degree BS in physics. The A.B. or B.S. in General Physics Concentration Program In addition to the B.S. degree, the Physics Department offers the A.B. or B.S. degree in General Physics. This degree program was designed to accommodate the student who wishes to concentrate in physics and still have the opportunity to double concentrate or acquire a broader general education. Compared to the B.S. in Physics degree, the General Physics program requires six fewer credit hours in physics and offers a wider range of electives. At least 30 credits in physics and mathematics, including at least 24 in physics courses numbered 390 and above. A concentration plan must include:
PHYSICS 390, 401, 405, 406, and 453 must be completed with a minimum grade of a C- in each course and a cumulative average of C or higher. Physics and Society Option. This program, administered jointly by the Physics Department and the Residential College, is designed for students who wish to concentrate in physics and also who are interested in such fields as energy policy, law and science, public administration and other fields that require an understanding of the relationship between science and society. In addition to the minimum requirements, students must complete a minimum of three courses (9-12 credits) in Science and Society. The Science and Society courses are chosen in consultation with and must be approved by the Residential College Science Program advisor. These courses, addressing various dimensions of the social relations of science and technology (e.g., history and sociology of science, science policy), are upper-level courses (300 and above). They may be used to satisfy the cognate requirement for the General Physics concentration (requirement #4). One course may also partially satisfy the requirement for six credits of 400-level physics courses specified under requirement #3. Science and Society courses in physics used to satisfy requirement #3 must also be approved by the Physics Department. One of the Science and Society courses may be an Independent Study with a major experiential component (e.g., an internship in an organization that addresses issues related to science policy) and a required report analyzing the experience. It is permissible for concentrators to take the Science and Society courses in several departments. The A.B. or B.S. in Biophysics Concentration Program The undergraduate curriculum in Biophysics is designed for students who wish to prepare themselves for work in the application of the concepts and quantitative methods of the physical sciences to the study of biological structure and function. Teaching Certificate in Physics A secondary-level teaching certificate with a major in physics requires 30 credits of physics; a minor requires 20. These credits must include PHYSICS 125/127 and 126/128, or PHYSICS 140/141 and 240/241; and PHYSICS 340/341. The remainder of the program consists of courses numbered 390 or above or the equivalent. Students wishing to pursue an academic minor in Physics must develop a specific plan for its completion in consultation with the Department's designated advisor. An academic minor in Physics is not open to students with any concentration in Department of Physics. Prerequisites to the Academic Minor: Mathematics through differential equations: MATH 216 or its equivalent. Academic Minor Program: 18 credits of courses as follows:
Undergraduate Research OpportunitiesOne of the special benefits offered to physics concentrators at the University of Michigan is the opportunity to participate in an active research effort. This can take the form of a job working with one of the research groups in the department, a registration in PHYSICS 415, Special Problems in Physics, or work on an independent senior thesis. There are two different thesis courses. Any physics concentrator, with a supervising faculty member, can register for PHYSICS 496-497, Senior Thesis. Students with a GPA of at least 3.0 may elect an honors concentration and will register for PHYSICS 498-499, Honors Senior Thesis. The content of the thesis courses is identical. Honors concentrators must take six additional physics credits from courses numbered 401 and above which are not otherwise required. Each summer the physics department awards research participation salary grants to physics concentrators who are just beginning their thesis research. Students receiving these awards 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. AwardsWilliam L. Williams Award. All graduating seniors writing a thesis are eligible for the Williams Award. This is a cash award established in memory of Professor W. Williams. It is presented for the best thesis submitted by a graduating senior. The award is presented at the Departmental Undergraduate Awards Ceremony the evening before graduation. 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 Leff Scholarship. The Leff Scholarship is awarded every second year to an outstanding physics concentrator entering the junior year who is not a Michigan resident. The scholarship provides $7,500 for each of the junior and senior years. Physics Help Room (1416 Randall Lab)The Physics Help Room was created to help students in Introductory Physics classes. The Help Room is staffed (usually between the hours of 9 a.m. and 6 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. 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. The University of Michigan C. Wilbur Peters Chapter of Society of Physics StudentsThe 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.
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