Choose Among Three Major Tracks or a Minor
If you are considering a major or minor in physics, please look at the Physics Majors Handbook. This handbook is your definitive source of information about the options and requirements for pursuing a bachelor's degree in physics. It includes information about honors degrees and the physics minor. It also contains checklists of requirements for the three degree tracks, which you can also find directly at these links. For majors who entered before Fall 2023: Professional track, applied track, and general track, and for majors who entered in Fall 2023 or later: Physics (BS) track, Interdisciplinary (BS) track, and Interdisciplinary (BA) track. For current students, we suggest copying these to your drive and filling them out when meeting with your advisor.
The basic requirement for the Physics minor is 15 credits at the 200-level or above. Please see the Physics Majors Handbook for details.
You can declare a physics major or minor or set up a meeting with the Undergraduate Program Director, available by email at @email to discuss this further.
Academic Advisors
The College of Natural Sciences (CNS) offers our undergraduate students a dual advising model. Physics majors have access to professional advising staff through CNS first-year advising and upper-level advising teams. After their first year, students transition to an upper-level advisor with whom they work for their sophomore, junior, and senior years.
CNS advisors provide students with support for:
- Major/college/gen-ed degree requirements
- Creating an academic plan to stay on track for graduation
- Navigating Campus Resources
- Adjusting to College/Establishing a sense of belongingness
- Major Exploration
- Academic Success & Planning
Undergraduate Program Directors
The Undergraduate Program Directors are faculty members in our department who supervise the academic program.
The Undergraduate Program Directors can provide students with support for:
- Physics minor requirements
- Approval of transfer and study abroad courses toward major requirements
- Managing academic challenges
- Independent studies
- Internships and co-ops
- Graduate school
- Matching interests and career options
Undergraduate Program Director
Prof. Don Candela, PSB W112, @email
Associate Undergraduate Program Director
Prof. Shubha Tewari, HAS 301
Honors Coordinator
Prof. Andrea Pocar (for F24), Prof. Jun Yan (S25 and later)
Faculty Mentors
Every student with a major or minor in Physics is assigned a faculty mentor. Your faculty mentor is listed in Navigate under the Your Success Team heading.
Physics faculty mentors can provide students with support for:
- Detailed information about the field of study and accompanying industry
- Guidance around which concentrations or coursework will help students reach educational and/or professional goals
- Advice regarding potential internships and career opportunities
- Information on extracurricular activities, clubs, or student groups that relate to the major field
- Recommendations about how to get involved in research
You can also find your faculty mentor listed below by class year.
Class of 2029:
- Students with last names A–K: Prof. Narayanan Menon (HAS 401)
- Students with last names L–Z: Prof. Ben Heidenreich (LGRT 417B)
Class of 2028:
- Students with last names A–K: Prof. Rafael Coelho Lopes de Sa (LGRT 1034)
- Students with last names L–Z: Prof. Rory Miskimen (PSB W108)
Class of 2027:
- Students with last names A–K: Prof. Ben Brau (LGRT 1040)
- Students with last names L–Z: Prof. Shubha Tewari (HAS 301)
Class of 2026:
- Students with last names A–K: Prof. David Kawall (PSB W105)
- Students with last names L–Z: Prof. Andrea Pocar (PSB W110)
Class of 2025:
Professor Carlo Dallapiccola (LGRT 1038)
Petitions and Forms
View all CNS Petitions and Forms
Frequently Asked Questions
- Who is my First Year Advisor (FYA)?
- Who is my upper-level Advisor (ULA)?
- How can a I schedule an appointment with a professional academic advisor?
View all CNS Advising FAQs