Pages for Undergraduates

Welcome to the Department of Physics and Astronomy's website for undergraduates and prospective students.

On these pages, you will find general information of interest to all students taking or considering taking Physics and Astronomy courses, as well as specific information for Physics Majors and students thinking about majoring or minoring in Physics.

The Department of Physics and Astronomy offers a full array of introductory courses. Your academic advisor will be able to suggest which of these courses will be most suitable for your personal interests and academic requirements. If you would like specific advice from a Physics and Astronomy faculty member, and are not sure whom to ask, please email the Director of Undergraduate Studies. Students should consult the Registrar for the latest class schedules.

Two of our newest courses, PHY 120 "How Things Work" and PHY 170 "Black Holes and Time Travel" are aimed at non-science majors with no prior background in Physics, and satisfy USP requirements.

The Physics Resource Room in CP148a is available to all students, and is staffed by Physics and Astronomy graduate students who will be happy to answer your questions, on most days from 10am to 5pm. The Chemistry-Physics Library offers all students a convenient place to study, and keeps homework and test solutions on reserve for most introductory courses. Discussion rooms are available for study groups.

The Department offers several scholarships per year for physics majors and minors. Applications for 2009-2010 are due by February 28, 2009.