Undergraduate Advising

Physics advisors are committed to helping physics majors succeed. Physics advisors are active faculty members who make themselves available throughout the academic year to help students plan and customize their degree programs, choose application areas, and make future career plans. Physics majors are assigned to an advisor based on their class status and degree program. To ensure and increase student success, each physics minor program also has its own advisor(s).

• Applied Physics—BS Sample Schedule
• Physics—BA Sample Schedule
• Physics—BS Sample Schedule
• 2021 Core and HASS Requirements
• Academic Calendar

Placement in calculus I or higher is necessary to register for PH 1160. If you are not calculus-ready, options may include taking the math placement exam, or taking a course equivalent to MA 1032 before starting at Michigan Tech. Alternative scheduling of classes is possible, but typically requires more than eight semesters to earn your degree.

With a score of 3 or higher on the Calculus AP exam you can get AP credit for MA 1160 and move on to calculus 2; however, students scoring a 3 or 4 are encouraged to consider whether or not they have really mastered material covered in calculus I, as mastery of calculus is vital to succeeding in physics. Students who are not confident in their mastery of the material may waive the AP credit and register for MA 1160. Students should also be aware that if they enroll in MA 2160 calculus 2 without first taking MA 1160 calculus I, they will have to learn introductory use of Mathematica (which is covered in MA 1160) on their own.

An undergraduate degree in physics provides an excellent foundation to do graduate study in a variety of other fields. Michigan Tech physics majors have gone on to graduate study in the following fields besides physics:

• applied mathematics
• atmospheric sciences
• electrical engineering
• optical sciences
• materials science
• mechanical engineering

Students who earn physics degrees in our program typically continue their studies in graduate school. Graduate studies in physics and related fields are typically supported financially through teaching assistantships, research assistantships, and fellowships. Nationally, about 95% of all domestic graduate students in physics receive full financial support, including tuition and a stipend to live on.

There are also many rewarding careers for students that choose not to attend graduate school. Detailed career information is available through the American Institute of Physics.