Handbook for Current and Prospective Physics Majors

Physics Department academic advisors meet with every physics major at least once every semester. Students are required to meet with an advisor prior to enrolling in the next semester’s classes. At other times, if questions arise about classes, careers, summer jobs or internships, research opportunities, personal stresses, or any other aspect of UMass life, please contact your advisor. 

If you are:

• Not currently a physics major but want to learn more about it, please contact the Chief Undergraduate Advisor. 
• Already a physics major (as a primary major), then one of these advisors should have been assigned to you on SPIRE. If not, please contact the appropriate advisor or the Chief Undergraduate Advisor.
• A second major in physics (SM-PHYS), then you might not have a physics advisor appointed on SPIRE. However, we still recommend that you visit a physics advisor each semester. Please contact the appropriate advisor from the list below. If you are not in the standard course sequence, then contact the Chief Undergraduate advisor instead. 

Who we are

SPIRE should show who your faculty advisor is (lower right of your student page). Otherwise: 

• Chief Undergraduate Advisor: Prof. Donald Candela, PSB W112, @email 
• Associate UPD: Dr. Shubha Tewari, Hasbrouck 301, @email 
• Class of 2022: 
  • Prof. Don Candela, PSB W112, @email 
  • Prof. Ben Brau, LGRT 1042, @email 
• Class of 2023: 
  • Prof. Rory Miskimen, PSB W112, @email 
  • Prof. Jun Yan, LGRT 1042, @email 
• Class of 2024: 
  • Students with last names A–K: Prof. Benny Davidovitch, @email 
  • Students with last names L–Z: Prof. Verena Martinez Outschoorn, @email
• Class of 2025: 
  • Students with last names A–K: Prof. Guy Blaylock, @email 
  • Students with last names L–Z: Prof. Stephane Willocq, @email 
• Class of 2026: 
  • Students with last names A–K: Prof. David Kawall, kawall@physics.umass.edu
  • Students with last names L–Z: Prof. Lorenzo Sorbo, @email 

Honors coordinator: Prof. Andrea Pocar, PSB W110, @email

Other resources

The College of Natural Sciences advising center can advise on GenEd and language requirements, courses added or dropped after the initial Add/Drop period, or a "credit overload" (>19). They also offer career advice (in addition to your advisor). (413) 545-1969, 220 Morrill II, https://www.umass.edu/natural-sciences/advising

You can also find GenEd info here: https://www.umass.edu/gened/students/fulfilling-requirements 

Where to go when you are in distress: 

• Dean of Students Office (DOSO), (413) 545-2684. Office: 227 Whitmore. https://www.umass.edu/dean_students/ 
  DOSO is a resource for you—not just a disciplinary office! Do not hesitate to call them if you need help with personal, medical, or other emergencies. They can communicate with your instructors, help with medical exceptions to academic rules, etc. They can also refer you to other resources. 
• The Center for Counseling and Psychological Health (CCPH), (413) 545-2337. CCPH is a go-to resource for students who struggle with anxiety, depression, or any other kind of emotional stress. They are on call 24/7. They can handle emergency and non-emergency/evaluation/advisory meetings. Calling them will not trigger a major response or commit a student to treatment. 

SPS Society of Physics Students—An association for all students interested in physics. The group meets weekly, usually Monday or Wednesday evenings at 7:00 p.m. in LGRT 1033, with pizza. Each year, SPS members elect their President, Vice President, and Treasurer. For information, please email @email or visit https://umassamherst.campuslabs.com/engage/organization/sps or their Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/groups/UMassSPS/.

Physics is the basic science that underlies all of the physical sciences and influences most of the biological sciences. Physics treats matter, energy, and interactions at the fundamental level. It is a perpetually changing science, with interdisciplinary aspects that shift as technology and study bring new fields and new possibilities to light. After physicists establish the fundamental principles within a field, the field is often "handed over" to another discipline for further exploration. Thus, much of the physics of yesterday is now regarded as part of chemistry or engineering. 

Physics provides an excellent background for a variety of careers in science, technology, teaching, and beyond. Physicists entering research generally need to choose among multiple possible branches. Physicists can work in either basic or applied research. The scientist engaged in the former typically works in a university or a national laboratory, delving into the fundamental processes of nature. Applied research concerns itself with applications of our knowledge by way of technological advances, in an industrial or commercial setting. There is also a choice between working in theory or experiment. Experimentalists create and use a given apparatus to test hypotheses and theories, to make unexpected discoveries of new phenomena, or to develop new applications of ideas. Theorists either use that data, or operate independently of data, to develop new explanations, hypotheses, or theories. Particularly broad scientists can act as both, often using computer simulations to gain insight into both the theoretical and experimental aspects of a given problem. Research physicists choose to work in some specific area, such as nuclear, condensed matter, or high-energy particle physics. 

The Department of Physics offers a variety of courses and a variety of possibilities for majors. Since physics is an ever-changing field, the focus of the department is to impart a set of skills that can be applied over a wide range of disciplines. The applied and general tracks for majors exist to address the needs of students moving into the job market, or graduate school in another field, after graduation. The professional track exists for those students who plan on post- bachelor's education in physics or closely related fields, or for those students who want to pursue a rigorous BS degree in physics. 

You can also join our faculty in research. Most faculty members are engaged in basic experimental or theoretical research in one of the following areas: biophysics, hard and soft condensed-matter physics, experimental and theoretical particle physics, experimental and theoretical gravity, low-temperature physics, nanoscience, nuclear physics, and polymer research. Excellent facilities and federal research funds make undergraduate research opportunities widely available through independent study, honors research, or summer employment. 

To receive a bachelor's degree in physics a student must meet graduation requirements set by (1) the university, (2) the College of Natural Sciences, and (3) the Physics Department. The university requirements (total number of credits, number of credits in residence, GPA, general education requirements) are explained elsewhere, e.g., on SPIRE. Here is a concise list of GenEd requirements: https://www.umass.edu/gened/students/fulfilling-requirements. 

The Physics Department offers three different degree tracks for study. These degree tracks are the Professional, the Applied, and the General tracks. You can find a concise checklist for each one at the end of this handbook. 

A minimum GPA of 2.0 is required for courses counted toward the Physics major for all three degree tracks.

Physics Curriculum: Professional Track 

The Professional Track provides a broad background in physics. It is intended for majors who want a rigorous and traditional physics curriculum. P-track majors might take on jobs after graduation or go to graduate school. This track requires no outside concentration in another field. This option results in the earning of a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree. To see how these would work in the 4 years and for other recommendations, see the checklist near the end of this handbook. 

1. Introductory Sequence 

Fall

Spring

2. Sophomore Sequence  

Fall

Spring

3. Intermediate Series

4. Writing Requirement

5. Advanced Courses and Labs

One advanced course must be selected from the following. Some of the courses listed here are not offered every year. Typically, these classes are held based on student interest and pre-enrollment. Students should contact an advisor for information on planned course offerings.

6. Math Requirements

Physics Curriculum: Applied Track

The Applied Track is intended for students with a specific interest in a technical subject that is not within the standard canon of physics. Applied track students might plan to enter the job market immediately after graduation, or may plan to attend graduate school in a topic outside physics. Although the Applied Track requires fewer physics courses than the Professional Track, this is balanced by the requirement of an 18-credit concentration in a coherent scientific or technical sub-field. This option results in a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree.

This track works well for students who have or develop a particular interest. It is not suitable for an all-around training in physics. (The P-track is the better choice for that.) To see how these would work in the 4 years and for other recommendations, see the checklist near the end of this handbook.

1. Introductory Sequence 

Fall

Spring

2. Sophomore Sequence

Fall

Spring

3. Intermediate Series

4. Writing Requirement

5. Advanced Courses and Labs

One advanced course must be selected from the following. Some of the courses listed here are not offered every year. Typically, these classes are held based on student interest and pre-enrollment. Students should contact their advisors for information on planned course offerings.

6. Math Requirements

7. Concentration in Technical Electives

For this requirement, the student must take a minimum of 18 credits with a specific scientific or technical focus. The purpose of the concentration is to develop coherent, expert competency in a scientific or technical subfield. Therefore, a broadly defined concentration such as "Astronomy" or "Computer Science" would not be suitable, nor would Gen-Ed or independent study courses. The student's advisor must approve the coursework for a given concentration, preferably within the sophomore or junior years. Sample concentrations will be found in the section "Sample Plans of Study." At the end of this handbook, there is a one-page "Applied-Track Checklist." A student intending to follow the Applied Track should fill out this checklist with the courses intended to fulfill the 18-credit concentration requirement, and have the list approved by their academic advisor.

Physics Curriculum: General Track

The General Track allows a student to concentrate in a non-technical area, such as teaching or science writing. This option results in the earning of a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree and requires foreign-language classes (see below). To see how these would work in the 4 years and for other recommendations, see the checklist near the end of this handbook.

1. Introductory Sequence 

Fall

Spring

2. Sophomore Sequence

Fall

Spring

3. Intermediate Series

4. Writing Requirement

5. Advanced Courses and Labs

One advanced course must be selected from the following. Some of the courses listed above are not offered every year. Typically, these classes are held based on student interest and pre-enrollment. Students should contact their advisors for information on planned course offerings.

Other courses listed under "Advanced courses": Consult your advisor.

6. Math Requirements

7. Concentration Electives

For this requirement, the student must take a minimum of 18 credits within a specific concentration. This need not be a technical area, and those seeking a focus in a technical area should consider the Applied Track instead. The student's advisor must approve the coursework for a given concentration, preferably within the sophomore or early junior years. Sample concentrations will be found in the section "Sample Four-Year Plans." At the end of this handbook, there is a one-page "General-Track Checklist." A student intending to follow the General Track should fill out this checklist with the courses intended to fulfill the 18-credit concentration requirement, and have the list approved by their academic advisor.

8. College of Natural Science Requirements for the BA Degree

Students pursuing the BA degree must also satisfy the foreign language requirement in the College of Natural Science. For details go to: https://www.umass.edu/natural-sciences/academics/degree-requirements.

The following plans of study give possible arrangements of courses by semester and year. Real schedules should be adjusted, of course, to suit each student's particular needs. 

All freshman, sophomore, and transfer physics majors take the same set of introductory courses. Most physics courses are only offered once per year (Fall or Spring), so plan your schedule accordingly! The Freshman Colloquium, P185, is not a required course but it is recommended for all physics majors. 

* Physics 282 is not required for the Applied and General tracks, but is strongly recommended. 

† Math 331 is not required for the Applied and General tracks. 

After this common introductory sequence, your plan of study will depend upon which track you choose (Professional, Applied, or General). 

General Education requirements for students starting Fall 2018 and later: 

For details and the official rules, see Fulfilling the Requirements for GenEd @ UMass

Physics students satisfy the PS GenEd requirement by taking Physics 181, and the R1/R2 requirement by taking Math 131. Physics students will in general need to take one BS GenEd and four Social World GenEd’s including two diversity courses. The University Integrative Experience requirement is satisfied by taking Physics 440 Intermediate Lab in the third or fourth year. 

Sample Plan of Study—Professional Track 

For students who want to apply to graduate school, this plan will prepare for the Physics GRE exam in the fall of the fourth year, and leaves the majority of the senior year available for honors thesis or special projects. Such students should also take Physics 498G (1 cr) in the spring of their junior year. Your physics advisor can recommend other options for the sequence of taking courses. 

More options and more details are given in the checklist near the end of this document. 

Sample Plan of Study—Applied Track 

A wide variety of concentrations can be created within the Applied Track. As stated in the Applied Track requirements, the purpose of the concentration is to develop coherent, expert competency in a chosen scientific or technical subfield. Therefore, a broadly defined concentration such as "Astronomy" or "Computer Science" would not be suitable, nor would Gen-Ed introductory level, or independent study courses. The Applied Track is intended for students with a specific interest in a technical subject that is not within the standard canon of physics. This track is not intended as a mechanism for students in another major that requires physics courses to meet the requirements for a dual major. 

The following are samples of concentrations for given fields. In creating concentration programs, students should get advice from an advisor in the concentration program. Some classes may have limited availability for non-major students (i.e., physics majors). For example, this can be a concern for Engineering or CICS colleges. In the past, however, physics students have not had a problem with this. The Physics UPD may be able to help if you need a course outside physics and find difficulty enrolling because of department rules. 

Sample Concentration in Mechanical Engineering 

PHYSICS 423 Statistical Physics and Thermodynamics should be one of the two 400- level courses. 

Sample Concentration in Pre-Medicine 

Sample Concentration in Biochemistry 

Sample Plan of Study—General Track 

The following are sample concentrations for given fields. In creating concentration programs, students should get advice from an advisor in the concentration program. This is especially important for teacher certification. 

Sample Concentration in Science Writing 

Sample Concentration in Teacher Education 

Students who are members in good standing in the Honors College can participate in the Departmental Honors program in the Physics Department. The Physics Department requires:

1. Two physics honors courses, with one course taken at any level, and the other course at the 300 level or higher. This requirement can be satisfied by taking a physics honors colloquium, or by enrolling in honors independent study associated with a physics course. These courses satisfy the two honors electives requirement of Honors College. 
2. An honors thesis or honors project completed under the supervision of a faculty advisor. The thesis or project satisfies the Honors College capstone experience requirement.
3. All Honors College requirements are satisfied. 

Many physics students find the prospect of doing a thesis in their declared major a more attractive option than taking one of the 6-credit capstone courses offered in the Honors College. All honors students in the department are strongly encouraged to speak with the Department Honors Coordinator to discuss the possibility of declaring Departmental Honors.

Students graduating with Departmental Honors in Physics have this academic distinction printed on their diplomas. 

A checklist for doing departmental honors is attached near the end of this document. 

Fifteen credits of courses in the Physics Department at the 200 level and above must be completed. The prerequisites to those courses must be satisfied, generally meaning: 

• An introductory physics sequence (Physics 151–152, or 181–182) 
• A math sequence including MATH 131, 132, and 233. 
• No courses may be taken with a Pass/Fail option.
• Counting Independent Study courses toward the minor requires advisor approval in advance. In any case, not more than three credits of Independent Study will count toward the 15-credit requirement. 
• [For the record, not relevant to current students: Only one of the two courses Physics 261, Physics 284 can be counted towards the 15-credit requirement.] 

Advising 

Every student majoring in Physics has a faculty advisor within the department. (See page 3 of this document.) In the Physics Department, advisors are assigned to the students of a given class, so that physics majors have the same advisor from the time they enter the program until they graduate. 

Normal counseling periods are during Fall and Spring preregistration. Students should discuss their programs with their advisors at this time. Students will not be cleared for registration until they meet with their faculty advisors. Student should keep this in mind as the preregistration period approaches. Advisors, and the Undergraduate Program Director, are available at other times to provide academic guidance. 

The advisors are responsible for guiding their students in the choice of courses and in the completion of Physics major, college, and university requirements. Students should use the SPIRE system to verify their progress towards meeting university, college, and departmental requirements. 

At the end of this handbook, there are one-page checklists for the three Physics degree tracks (Professional, Applied, and General). During the first advising visit with your academic advisor, any applicable courses you have taken will be marked on the checklist, and the list placed in your academic file. The checklist is updated every semester during advising visits. It is particularly important that students intending to follow the Applied or General tracks have their 18-credit area concentrations approved by their advisors before the senior year, preferably before the junior year. 

Independent Study 

Physics students may occasionally wish to concentrate on topics of their choice outside of the structured setting of traditional lecture classes. Opportunities for this sort of investigation exist by way of Independent Study courses. These courses are arranged privately, on a semester basis, between an individual student and a professor. Depending on the course load involved, these classes generally range from 1 to 3 credits. These courses are listed in the Undergraduate Catalog under the numbers 196, 296, 396, 496, and 596, corresponding to all of the possible undergraduate levels. 

Arrangements for Independent Study should be carried out between the student and the instructing professor at some stage during the semester prior to the planned investigation. The Undergraduate Program Director must then approve enrollment in the course. 

Undergraduate Research 

Engaging in cutting-edge research is a valuable experience that can help you decide what you want to do for your career and likely enhance your excitement about studying physics. Research provides valuable training that complements your coursework and is an important component of your resume if you apply for graduate school or technical jobs. 

In general, research opportunities can be found here on campus, or at nonprofit institutions, government-run national labs, private companies, or other universities. There are a great many programs because so many institutions value the opportunity to train and recruit students like you. Research positions are generally paid, last for a summer (9–10 weeks), and sometimes are continued the following summer. Sometimes internships at companies or national labs lead to job offers. Internships can be taken by undergraduate students or graduate students. 

A summary is below. For more information: https://www.umass.edu/physics/undergraduate

Internships are most often in research or development but they could also be in teaching or other areas. If you are looking for teaching opportunities, then you can find more information from Brokk Toggerson (who teaches a class on teaching physics, Phys390T), or the UMass School of Education, or the Amherst Regional Public Schools or other local public school systems. 

Here at UMass, joining an on-campus research group in physics is very common. (The graduating class of 2016 reported that 70% of students had a research experience here on campus.) The Physics department has approximately 30 faculty, and most of them engage in original research. Most of the faculty work with undergraduate students either part-time during the semester or full-time during the summer (or both). During the semester, research experience is most commonly arranged as an Independent Study course (Physics 196, 296, 396, or 496) for academic credit. Sometimes these projects are full-time during the summer for pay. These experience are effectively internships, even though we do not always refer to them as such. 

The Commonwealth Honors College Capstone Experience (essentially a senior thesis) is one excellent way to gain research experience. (Participation in research, however, is not limited to Commonwealth College students.) Commonwealth Honors College also provides funds for undergraduate research on a competitive basis. The department also offers the Edward S. Chang and Kenneth Langley endowed funds to support summer research. Proposals are due annually in February. 

Finding on-campus research opportunities is not difficult, but it is quite different from signing up for courses. The main difference is that you have to take the initiative in reaching out to professors. Here is what we recommend: 

1. Take Physics 185 to get an overview of research and to see some details about some of the faculty. Also look at the department’s web page and follow the research link. You will see a fairly brief (but vague) listing of faculty by the broad areas of research. You can also look at other departments; physics students have worked in Chemistry, Polymer Science and Engineering, and various departments in our Engineering college. 
2. When you find something that looks interesting (even if you don’t know much about it and don’t know if you are qualified!), send an email to the professor. In your email, express an interest in the general topic of research, summarize courses you have taken (if any), and ask for a time to meet in person so that you (the student) can learn more about the science. Feel free to send more than one such letter in parallel. If you don’t receive a reply, then write again a few days later and/or stop by the professor’s office. 
3. After you meet with the professor and talk about the science, then decide if you want to ask for an independent study and/or summer job. Go ahead and ask. Many groups work with first-semester freshmen, so don’t second-guess your experience level. Again, you can ask more than one professor and then choose if you receive multiple offers. No one will feel insulted if you turn down an offer. 
4. To sign up for an independent study (if this is the mechanism you and your research advisor choose), first make a plan with your research advisor, who will then help you arrange it with the Undergraduate Program Director. 

Society of Physics Students and Sigma Pi Sigma 

The Society of Physics Students (SPS) is a national organization for undergraduates interested in studies connected to physics. The Department of Physics has a local chapter, which participates in the regional activities of the national organization. Our chapter sponsors and assists student- led research groups, engages in outreach projects to local schools, sponsors informational evenings on subjects such as careers and summer internships, and holds social activities for its members. 

All majors are invited to become members of the organization. Membership in the national organization is not mandatory, though information on how to become a national member is available from the officers of the local chapter. For more information on SPS see the contact list near the front of this handbook. 

Sigma Pi Sigma, an adjunct to the Society of Physics Students, is a national honors society for physics majors. Information on how to become a member is available from the faculty advisor of the SPS. 

Exchange Programs 

Undergraduates in Physics may wish to pursue a portion of their studies while in residence at another institution. Arrangements for this opportunity should be made through the appropriate exchange program at the University. The International Programs Office, www.umass.edu/ipo/, is the center for information about study abroad. The Domestic Exchange Program, http://ualc.umass.edu/domestic_exchange/, is the resource center for study at other universities in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico. 

Physics majors are very well trained in broadly transferrable skills. 

Our own experience with physics majors is that they are very well trained in the areas of thinking critically and analytically, solving complex problems, and analyzing numerical and statistical information. In the senior survey of 2016, UMass began asking graduating seniors for their self-assessment in these areas. The average responses among physics students were very high, well above the campus averages and nearly the maximum score of 4. 

The Physics Department website has some information and links about careers in physics. Please see https://www.umass.edu/physics/undergraduate.

The American Institute of Physics has performed studies that track the careers of bachelor's degree recipients in physics after graduation. The following graphs are from the AlP website, www.aip.org/statistics/trends/highlite/emp2/emphigh.htm.