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Interdisciplinary Physics Major

Effective Winter 2022

Advising

Students with any questions about courses or majors in Physics should speak with Physics department advisors.

Advising appointments can be scheduled in the Physics Student Services Office, 1440 Randall Lab [(734) 764-5539] or via the online advising calendar www.lsa.umich.edu/physics/academics/undergraduateprogram/advising .

 

Grade Policies

PHYSICS 390/391 and the two additional 400 level Physics courses must be completed with a minimum grade of a C- in each course and a cumulative average of C or higher.

Prerequisites

  • PHYSICS 140/141 and 240/241 (or PHYSICS 150/151 and 250/251, or PHYSICS 160/161 and 260/261); and
  • PHYSICS 340 and 351.

Requirements

Minimum Credits: 26

At least 26 credits, including at least 11 in PHYSICS courses numbered 390/391 and above. 

The major must include:

  1. PHYSICS 390/391.
  2. Two additional Physics courses at the 400 level*.

    *PHYSICS 390/391 and these 400 level Physics course must be completed with a minimum grade of a C- in each course and a cumulative average of C or higher.

  3. Fifteen credits of courses as part of an interdisciplinary plan designed with the approval of a department advisor.

The courses selected should form a coherent program of study.

Examples of possible programs of study include:

  • Statistics,
  • Astrophysics,
  • Philosophy,
  • Cosmology,
  • Economics and Finance,
  • Quantum Computing,
  • Biology,
  • Chemical Physics,
  • Nanotechnology,
  • Medical Physics,
  • Environmental Physics,
  • Global Change,
  • Geophysics,
  • Mathematical Physics,
  • Science Writing,
  • Science Policy,
  • Physics of Technology,
  • Applied Physics,
  • Computational Physics,
  • Physics Education, or
  • Industrial Physics.

Possible course selections in each of these areas can be viewed at: http://www.lsa.umich.edu/physics/academics/undergraduateprogram/majorminorprograms

Residency

The Physics Department requires no less than 12 credits toward the major program be completed in-residence.  In-residence: Courses elected on the Ann Arbor campus or at off-campus sites directed by Ann Arbor faculty. This includes STDABRD, Camp Davis, Biological Station, Michigan-in-Washington

Distribution Policy

No course used to fulfill a major requirement may be used toward the LSA Distribution Requirement. In addition, courses in the PHYSICS subject area may not be used toward the Distribution Requirement.

Honors

Students who have a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.4 are encouraged to elect an Honors plan in Interdisciplinary Physics. In addition to the regular departmental requirements for the major, candidates for Honors must elect an additional three credits of PHYSICS from courses numbered 401 and above which are not otherwise required and elect an additional 3 credit course as part of the cognate program. They must also complete a senior Honors thesis based on research (PHYSICS 496/497) done under the supervision of a faculty member. Some students in this degree line are pursuing interdisciplinary or dual degrees. Students wishing to complete an Honors senior thesis with a faculty member outside the Physics Department must meet with a department advisor for prior approval. (Note: PHYSICS 415 will not count toward a PHYSICS Honors Major).

Teaching Certificate

LSA students may earn an A.B. or B.S. in Interdisciplinary Physics with a focus on teacher certification through the College of LSA and School of Education. Students who wish to earn a secondary teaching certificate in physics should schedule a physics advising appointment before applying to the SOE certification program through the Office of Undergraduate Admissions website. (Note: Students are encouraged to apply their sophomore year. The application deadline is October 15.)

Interdisciplinary Physics (A.B. or B.S.) (Major) (Fall 2021)

Effective Fall 2021

Advising

Students with any questions about courses or majors in Physics should speak with Physics department advisors.

Advising appointments can be scheduled in the Physics Student Services Office, 1440 Randall Lab [(734) 764-5539] or via the online advising calendar www.lsa.umich.edu/physics/academics/undergraduateprogram/advising .

 

Grade Policies

PHYSICS 390/391 and the two additional 400 level Physics courses must be completed with a minimum grade of a C- in each course and a cumulative average of C or higher.

Prerequisites

  • PHYSICS 140/141 and 240/241 (or PHYSICS 150/151 and 250/251, or PHYSICS 160/161 and 260/261); and
  • PHYSICS 340 and 351.

Requirements

Minimum Credits: 26

At least 26 credits, including at least 11 in PHYSICS courses numbered 390/391 and above. 

The major must include:

  1. PHYSICS 390/391.
  2. Two additional Physics courses at the 400 level*.

    *PHYSICS 390/391 and these 400 level Physics course must be completed with a minimum grade of a C- in each course and a cumulative average of C or higher.

  3. Fifteen credits of cognate courses as part of an interdisciplinary plan designed with the approval of a department advisor.

The courses selected should form a coherent program of study.

Examples of possible programs of study include:

  • Statistics
  • Astrophysics
  • Philosophy
  • Cosmology
  • Economics and Finance
  • Quantum Computing
  • Biology
  • Chemical Physics
  • Nanotechnology
  • Medical Physics
  • Environmental Physics
  • Global Change
  • Geophysics
  • Mathematical Physics
  • Science Writing
  • Science Policy
  • Physics of Technology
  • Applied Physics
  • Computational Physics
  • Physics Education, or
  • Industrial Physics.

Possible course selections in each of these areas can be viewed at: http://www.lsa.umich.edu/physics/academics/undergraduateprogram/majorminorprograms

Residency

The Physics Department requires no less than 12 credits toward the major program be completed in-residence.  In-residence: Courses elected on the Ann Arbor campus or at off-campus sites directed by Ann Arbor faculty. This includes STDABRD, Camp Davis, Biological Station, Michigan-in-Washington

Distribution Policy

No course used to fulfill a major requirement may be used toward the LSA Distribution Requirement. In addition, courses in the PHYSICS subject area may not be used toward the Distribution Requirement.

Honors

Students who have a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.4 are encouraged to elect an Honors plan in Interdisciplinary Physics. In addition to the regular departmental requirements for the major, candidates for Honors must elect an additional three credits of PHYSICS from courses numbered 401 and above which are not otherwise required and elect an additional 3 credit course as part of the cognate program. They must also complete a senior Honors thesis based on research (PHYSICS 496/497) done under the supervision of a faculty member. Some students in this degree line are pursuing interdisciplinary or dual degrees. Students wishing to complete an Honors senior thesis with a faculty member outside the Physics Department must meet with a department advisor for prior approval. (Note: PHYSICS 415 will not count toward a PHYSICS Honors Major).

Teaching Certificate

LSA students may earn an A.B. or B.S. in Interdisciplinary Physics with a focus on teacher certification through the College of LSA and School of Education. Students who wish to earn a secondary teaching certificate in physics should schedule a physics advising appointment before applying to the SOE certification program through the Office of Undergraduate Admissions website. (Note: Students are encouraged to apply their sophomore year. The application deadline is October 15.)

Interdisciplinary Physics (A.B. or B.S.) (Major) (Fall 2015 - Summer 2021)

Effective Fall 2015

Advising

Students with any questions about courses or majors in Physics should speak with Physics department advisors.

Advising appointments can be scheduled in the Physics Student Services Office, 1440 Randall Lab [(734) 764-5539] or via the online advising calendar www.lsa.umich.edu/physics/academics/undergraduateprogram/advising .

 

Grade Policies

PHYSICS 390/391 and the two additional 400 level Physics courses must be completed with a minimum grade of a C- in each course and a cumulative average of C or higher.

Prerequisites

  • PHYSICS 140/141 and 240/241 (or PHYSICS 125/136 and 126/236, or PHYSICS 135/136 and 235/236, or PHYSICS 160/161 and 260/261); and
  • PHYSICS 340 and 351.

Requirements

Minimum Credits: 26

At least 26 credits, including at least 11 in PHYSICS courses numbered 390/391 and above. 

The major must include:

  1. PHYSICS 390/391.
  2. Two additional Physics courses at the 400 level*.

    *PHYSICS 390/391 and these 400 level Physics course must be completed with a minimum grade of a C- in each course and a cumulative average of C or higher.

  3. Fifteen credits of cognate courses as part of an interdisciplinary plan designed with the approval of a department advisor.

The courses selected should form a coherent program of study.

Examples of possible programs of study include:

  • Statistics,
  • Astrophysics,
  • Philosophy,
  • Cosmology,
  • Economics and Finance,
  • Quantum Computing,
  • Biology,
  • Chemical Physics,
  • Nanotechnology,
  • Medical Physics,
  • Environmental Physics,
  • Global Change,
  • Geophysics,
  • Mathematical Physics,
  • Science Writing,
  • Science Policy,
  • Physics of Technology,
  • Applied Physics,
  • Computational Physics,
  • Physics Education, or
  • Industrial Physics.

Possible course selections in each of these areas can be viewed at: http://www.lsa.umich.edu/physics/academics/undergraduateprogram/majorminorprograms

Residency

The Physics Department requires no less than 12 credits toward the major program be completed in-residence.

Distribution Policy

No course used to fulfill a major requirement may be used toward the LSA Distribution Requirement. In addition, courses in the PHYSICS subject area may not be used toward the Distribution Requirement.

Honors

Students who have a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.4 are encouraged to elect an Honors plan in Interdisciplinary Physics. In addition to the regular departmental requirements for the major, candidates for Honors must elect an additional three credits of PHYSICS from courses numbered 401 and above which are not otherwise required and elect an additional 3 credit course as part of the cognate program. They must also complete a senior Honors thesis based on research (PHYSICS 498/499) done under the supervision of a faculty member. Some students in this degree line are pursuing interdisciplinary or dual degrees. Students wishing to complete an Honors senior thesis with a faculty member outside the Physics Department must meet with a department advisor for prior approval. (Note: PHYSICS 415 will not count toward a PHYSICS Honors Major).

Teaching Certificate

LSA students may earn an A.B. or B.S. in Interdisciplinary Physics with a focus on teacher certification through the College of LSA and School of Education. Students who wish to earn a secondary teaching certificate in physics should schedule a physics advising appointment before applying to the SOE certification program through the Office of Undergraduate Admissions website. (Note: Students are encouraged to apply their sophomore year. The application deadline is October 15.)