WWW hhh aaa ttt iii sss PPP hhh yyy sss iii ccc sss AAA ppp ppp lll ...

Whhaat tt iiss i PPhhyyssi iiccss ??
Historically, physics grew out of natural philosophy, which means love of
wisdom, or knowledge, about nature. To build this knowledge, physicists
pursue two complementary goals: discovery and insight.
In pursuit of discovery, we pose questions like “What are things made of?”
Millennia ago, the answer involved words like water, wood, or air. More
recently, these words changed to molecule, atom, or nucleus. Nowadays, they
are quark, string, or dark energy. Particle physicists probe constituents of
matter at the smallest length scales, while astrophysicists look ever deeper into
the universe to reveal its secrets. Another aspect of discovery concerns novel
behaviors: even when all the constituents are known, the whole often displays
properties that are surprisingly unpredictable. Work in condensed matter
physics exemplifies this aspect, with the discoveries of superconductivity,
Buckyballs, the quantum Hall effect, etc. The second goal is more subtle:
Insight is understanding what we find. Without insight, reliable predictions are
impossible. Can a butterfly’s flap in Chile prevent a tornado in Kansas? Given
a collection of air and water molecules, when will a hurricane appear? Knowing
precisely how atoms form a DNA molecule, can we make a tiger?
Understanding collective behavior, from the nano to the galactic scale, remains
a serious challenge.
With inquisitive minds, analytic skills, and knowledge of the fundamentals,
physicists are prepared to attack any problem. Apart from traditional areas in
physical sciences and engineering, they are making contributions to the
biological/medical sciences, the economic/social sciences, and beyond. Much
in nature is yet to be discovered and understood. Physicists are at the
forefronts of this endeavor.
AAppppl llyyi iinngg UUssi iinngg tthhee t OOnnl lli iinnee AAppppl lli iiccaat tti iioonn
http://www.admiss.vt.edu/freshman/apply/online.html
Our web application allows you to create a user account and define a
password to access your application. You will be able to save your work and
come back to it as often as you like until the application is completed. The
application for Virginia In-State Tuition, or residency form, is included at the
end of the application. Only students who think they qualify as Virginia
residents need complete these pages.
When your application is sent electronically to the admissions office, it is date
and time stamped. This is your electronic postmark. We will download your
application the day after you submit it. Your acknowledgement will appear in
the personal log page automatically created when you create an application.
You may also print your completed application from the personal log. Once
you have completed and paid for your application, you can send any
necessary changes to us by emailing appchange@vt.edu. Please DO NOT
set up a new account and submit a secondary application to make changes
to a completed/paid application. No refunds will be given for secondary
application fees.
UUnni iivveer rssi iit ttyy HHoonnoor rss PPr rooggr raamm
The University Honors Program is available to outstanding students.
Admission to the program is based on SAT and achievement scores and
high school class rank or academic performance after entrance. Those
students who qualify may take Honors courses in various departments
including Mathematics, Chemistry, Computer Science and English. They
may also participate in University Honors Colloquia, for credit, on a wide
variety of subjects
TToo AAppppl llyy ffoor f r FFi iinnaanncci iiaal ll AAi iidd OOnnl lli iinnee
http://www.finaid.vt.edu
A budget plan for tuition, fees, room and board is available
TTuui iit tti iioonn && FFeeeess
http://www.bursar.vt.edu
TToo reeggi r iisst tteer r ffoor f r ooppeenn hhoouussee :
http://www.admiss.vt.edu/openhouse/register.html
AAr reeaa HHoot tteel llss
Hawthorn Suites (540) 552-5636
Best Western (540) 552-7770
The Inn (540) 231-8000
Hampton Inn (540) 381-5874
Microtel Inn (540) 381-0500
AAddvvi iissoor rss
The course advisor for undergraduate physics is Diane L. Walker-Green The
course advisor will help with course selections in whatever emphasis the
student chooses and is generally available for information about course
requirements and departmental and University policies and for signing forms
requiring an advisor's signature. All registration requests should take place in
consultation with the course advisor or the career advisor. The Physics
Department assigns a career advisor to each undergraduate in physics. This
advisor is available for discussing a student's long range career plans and the
impact of course selections on those plans.
CCoouur rssee RReeggi iisst ttr raat tti iioonn PPr roocceedduur ree ffoor f r UUnnddeer rggr raadduuaat ttee PPhhyyssi iiccss
MMaaj jjoor rss
It is required by the department that physics students consult with the course
advisor before course registration. The Department faculty strongly feels that
registration handled in this manner is very much in the student's best interest,
since it provides the student with the best available academic advice. For this
reason, the student's repeated failure to consult with the course advisor or his
or her career advisor may prompt the Department to block the student's future
course registrations until the desired procedure is resumed.
PPr reer reeqquui iissi iit ttee PPool lli iiccyy
Most courses have other courses as prerequisites. It is the responsibility of all
students to insure that they have necessary prerequisites to their courses,
since the Registrar's computer program does not check that prerequisites have
been met when registering students for courses and issuing class tickets.
TTr raannssf ffeer r CCr reeddi iit tt
Students who wish to take courses at another institution and transfer the credit
back to VPI&SU must fill out a form in the Dean's office and have the transfer
approved before taking the course(s).
AAddvvaanncceedd PPl llaacceemmeennt tt
The following requirements for advanced placements are reprinted from the
Undergraduate Catalog:
Through Advanced Placement examinations, administered in May of each year
by the College Entrance Examination Board, exceptionally qualified high
school graduates may be considered for advanced placement in certain
subjects in which they show a proficiency.
Students admitted to Virginia Tech who merit advanced placement through
these exams may obtain course credit, of up to 38 semester hours. Final
determination of credit will be made after the test results have been evaluated
by the University.
Credits allowed for advanced placement are shown as transfer hours on the
student's grade report. These are included as hours passed toward a degree
and, therefore, are counted when considering academic eligibility. A student
may decline Advanced Credit only during the first semester of enrollment at
Virginia Tech. Questions about Advance Placement credit should be directed
to the Office of the University Registrar's .
The Physics Department plays no part in determining advanced
placement in non-physics courses. Advanced placement for all courses
is administered by the Admissions Office, and for physics courses
advanced placement is granted on the basis of AP Physics scores as
recommended by the Physics Department.
CCoouur rssee reeqquui r iir reemmeennt ttss ffoor f r tthhee t BB. ..SS.
ddeeggr reeee
(Area 4)
Chem 1035,1036 General Chemistry
Chem 1045,1046 General Chemistry Lab
Phys 2305, 2306 Foundations of Physics I
Phys 3314 Intermediate Lab
Phys 3355,3356 Intermediate Mechanics
Phys 3405,3406 Intermediate Electricity & Magnetism
Phys 3455 Foundations of Quantum & Solid State
Phys 3504 Foundations of Nuclear and Particle
Phys 3704 Thermal Physics
Phys 4554 ✝ Introduction to Solid State
or 4504
✝
Introduction to Nuclear and Particle
Phys 4315,4316 ✝
Modern Experimental Physics
Phys 4455,4456 Introduction to Quantum Mechanics
Phys 4614,4624 Optics, Optics Lab
✝
Phys 3154 (Observational Astrophysics) and 3655,6 (Introduction to
Astrophysics) may be taken in substitution for 4316 and either 4554 or
4504 (see section on Astronomy Concentration).
A Senior Experimental Research Involvement Project may be taken in
substitution for 4316
(Area 5)
Math 1114 Elementary Linear Algebra
Math 1205,1206 Calculus
Math 1224 Vector Geometry
Math 2214 Introduction of Differential Equations
Math 2224 Multivariable Calculus
Math 2984 Linear Algebra
* Math 3214 Calculus of Several Variables *
Math 4564 Operational Methods for Engineers
Math 4984 Applied Complex Variables
*Must take 3214 or 4526 (Principles of Advanced Calculus) and 4564 or
4425 (Fourier Series and Partial Differential Equations).
COLLEGE CORE:
Foreign Language
Writing and Discourse Engl 1105,1106 & Writing Intensive Course (Area 1)
Human Ideas, Cultural Tradition, and Values (Area 2) 6 Hours
Society and Human Behavior (Area 3) 6 Hours
Creativity and Aesthetic Experience (Area 6) 3 Hours
Critical Issues in a Global Context (Area 7) 3 Hours
Free Electives
Total required hours 120
Note: All physics courses taken are to be used to compute the
student's QCA in Major (note exceptions in Astronomy
Concentration), and no more than 50 hours in physics may
be counted toward the total number of hours (120)
required for graduation. Physics 4315 satisfies one of two
Writing Intensive core requirements.
Must be completed by the time the student has attempted 72 semester
credits.
AAsst ttr roonnoommyy MMi iinnoor r
a) A minor candidate must register with the Physics Department
b) Courses required by the Physics Department:
Phys 1055, 1056, 1155, 1156
Phys 3154, 3655, 3656
One entry from list below

Virginia Tech
Physics Department
215 Robeson Hall – 0435
Blacksburg, VA 24061
Non-Profit Org.
U. S. Postage
PAID
Blacksburg, VA 24060
Permit No. 28
∗ These 8 credits count as free electives (i.e. not as physics credits) for (and
only for) B.S.-degree physics majors who declare and complete this
concentration; these credits also constitute an approved University core
course in Area 4.
# Phys 3655 and 3656 (6 credits) may be substituted for Phys 4554 or 4504 (3
credits), and Phys 3154 may be substituted for Phys 4316 if and only if the
first substitution is satisfied.
✩
AOE 4134 (3); EE 4114, 4124, 4144, 4604 (3 each); ESM 3016, 3024, 4524
(3 each); GEOL 3114 (3), 4144 (4); PHYS 4614-4624 (4)
PPhhyyssi iiccss MMi iinnoor r
a) A minor candidate must register with the department:
b) Courses required by the Physics Department:
Phys 2305, 2306
Phys 3455
Phys 3704
Phys 3355 or 3405
One Phys 3000 level or above
UUnnddeer rggr raadduuaat ttee RReesseeaar rcchh
The department strongly encourages students to engage in front-line
research, advised by a faculty member. In addition to experience and
some financial support, this may lead to scientific publications and
conference talks for the students. More details can be found at
http://www.phys.vt.edu/undergradresearch.html.
CCr reeddi iit tt bbyy EExxaammi iinnaat tti iioonn
The following requirements for credits by examination are reprinted from
the Undergraduate Catalog:
Credit, not to exceed 12 semester hours, may be allowed by special
examination where exceptional command of a subject can be
demonstrated in lieu of formal course work. This privilege is not available
to a student who has audited or enrolled previously in the course, or has
previously attempted credit by examination in the course. If credit by
examination is deemed appropriate, the offering department shall have full
responsibility for determining the type of examination to be given and what
constitutes a passing grade.
Credit established by examination may not be used in satisfying the inresidence
requirements for graduation, and no grades or quality credits will
be assigned.
There is a per credit fee for the examination. The current fee is $10.00
per credit hour and is subject to change at the beginning of an academic
year. Only currently enrolled undergraduate students are eligible for
special examinations allowing university credit. Official approval must be
obtained from the head of the department offering the course.
In general the student seeking credit by examination for a physics course
(which credit is pass/fail only) will need to have an overall GPA of
approximately 3.0 or better and will first discuss the matter with the
Associate Chair of the Physics Department. If the Associate Chair agrees,
the student next fill out the necessary permission form, and pays his or her
fee to the registrar. The time and place of the examination will then be
determined by the Associate Chair.
FFi iivvee YYeeaar r BBaacchheel lloor r/ //MMaasst tteer r’ ’’ss DDeeggr reeee
Students with a 3.5 or above GPA, on their option and with the
recommendation of the University Honors Program, may apply for admission
to the Graduate School on the completion of seventy-five hours of
undergraduate study.
The student must append to the application to the Graduate School a letter
from the department head of the proposed graduate department affirming the
department’s acceptance of the student as a graduate student and their
agreement that the student can complete his or her undergraduate studies
upon demonstration of twelve hours of graduate study.
The student will be required to complete the Graduate Record Examination
at the normal time. The GRE will not be required for admission to a Master’s
Program under this program. After three years, the Graduate School and
University Honors Program will evaluate the GRE scores of student
participants.
During the two semesters following admission to graduate school, the
student may complete up to twelve hours of graduate work, jointly enrolled in
the Graduate School and their undergraduate department. Successful
completion of twelve hours of graduate work with no less that a “B” average
will complete the last twelve hours of the undergraduate degree.
VVi iissi iit tt tthhee t DDeeppaar rt ttmmeennt
If you’d like to sit in on a class and tour the department please email Diane L.
Walker-Green at dwalkerg@vt.edu or call (540) 231-5792 to schedule a visit.
For additional brochures or questions please contact Diane L. Walker-
Green at (540) 231 – 5792 or dwalkerg@vt.edu