Undergraduate Physics 26 Feb2011 1 Undergraduate Physics at

Undergraduate Physics 26 -Feb-2011 1

Undergraduate Physics at the University of Illinois Agenda: • Welcome • Parallel • Parents: financial aid • Students: university life • university housing overview • physics curriculum • lunch – meet students and faculty • Roundtable with faculty • physics careers, research • question and answer period • Parallel • Tour PHYS 403 lab • More Q&A • adjourn 26 -Feb-2011 Dale Van Harlingen David Wilde Matt Feickert, Shannon Glavin Mari Anne Brocker Kevin Pitts Profs. Cooper/Gollin/Greene/Makins Kevin Pitts Prof. Eugene Colla http: //physics. illinois. edu/ 2

Welcome! Physics at UIUC: – Ranked #2 in the nation in undergraduate engineering physics – Ranked #8 overall (two surveys) – Other national rankings: #2 in condensed matter physics #8 in quantum information #10 in nuclear physics #12 in elementary particle physics Tony Leggett receiving the Nobel Prize for Physics (2003) 26 -Feb-2011 http: //physics. illinois. edu/ 3

Undergraduate Physics at the University of Illinois Toni Pitts Coordinator of Recruiting, Advising, and Special Programs and Kevin Pitts Professor of Physics Associate Head for Undergraduate Programs 26 -Feb-2011 http: //physics. illinois. edu/ 4

Outline The Department Undergraduate Degree Programs – Choices of Major – Courses Extracurricular Activities – Physics Society – Physics Van Undergraduate Research Opportunities – REU – Senior Thesis Extracurricular Activities – Physics Society – Physics Van What can I do with a Physics Degree? 26 -Feb-2011 http: //physics. illinois. edu/ 5

By the numbers 60 faculty 290 graduate students 315 undergraduate students $23 M in grant support for research We award – 60 Bachelor’s degrees/year – 40 Ph. D. ’s per year Average ACT score is 31 Charles Slichter receiving the National Medal of Science (2008) 26 -Feb-2011 http: //physics. illinois. edu/ 6

Areas of Research Astrophysics Atomic and Molecular Optics Biological Physics Complex Systems Condensed Matter Cosmology High-Energy Physics Nuclear Physics Education Quantum Information Campus centers: Close research ties with: – Institute for Condensed Matter Theory – Center for the Physics of Living Cells – National Center for Supercomputer Applications (NCSA) – Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory – Argonne National Laboratory 26 -Feb-2011 http: //physics. illinois. edu/ 7

Undergraduate Degree Programs Engineering Physics – Offered through Engineering College Science and Letters Physics – Virtually identical to Engineering Physics Specialized Physics – Most flexible physics curriculum Physics Teaching Option – Includes secondary education minor (and teaching certification) 26 -Feb-2011 http: //physics. illinois. edu/ 8

Engineering Physics Offered through College of Engineering 128 Hours required to graduate Curriculum features: “Elective Options” – [more on this in a minute] Graduate school or industry track 3 years HS foreign language or 3 semesters satisfies language requirement 26 -Feb-2011 http: //physics. illinois. edu/ 9

LAS Science and Letters Physics Offered through College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Curriculum features: “Elective Options” – [more on this in a minute] 120 hours required to graduate Graduate school or industry track 4 years of HS foreign language or 4 thsemester college language satisfies language requirement 26 -Feb-2011 http: //physics. illinois. edu/ 10

LAS Specialized Physics Offered through College of Liberal Arts and Sciences 126 hours required to graduate 4 years of HS foreign language or 4 thsemester college language satisfies language requirement “Option-oriented” curriculum (ideal for pre-med, pre-law, and physics related fields) Very flexible in upper-level courses 26 -Feb-2011 http: //physics. illinois. edu/ 11

LAS vs. Engineering Q : What’s the difference between LAS Science and Letters and Engineering Physics? A: Nothing in the physics + math curriculum. – LAS physics majors must pay the college of engineering college surcharge. (They utilize all of the same equipment/infrastructure. ) LAS/Engineering have slightly different general education requirements. LAS requires 4 th semester of foreign language. Engineering requires a few more hours. Is one “more prestigious” than another? – Not for grad school…maybe in the job market? 26 -Feb-2011 http: //physics. illinois. edu/ 12

Degree Requirements “Core” Physics Courses “Core” Math courses (+2 courses = math minor) Supporting courses (Chem, CS) General Education requirements Elective Options Free electives 26 -Feb-2011 http: //physics. illinois. edu/ 13

Elective Options Allows students to tailor curriculum to their needs and interests. Examples: – – – 26 -Feb-2011 Professional Physics (this is the grad school track) Astrophysics Bioengineering Computational Physics Materials Science Physical Electronics Earth Science Writing New options coming: • Nuclear physics Pre-law • Energy/sustainability Pre-med • Management User defined • Atmospheric science • … http: //physics. illinois. edu/ 14

Recent user defined options – – – 9 -Nov-2010 26 -Feb-2011 Electrical Engineering Technical Option Geology/Geophysics Pre-Optometry Mathematical Physics Prep for Grad School in Library Science Economics Acoustic Engineering Atmospheric Sciences Acoustics Biomedical Engineering Nuclear Physics Sustainable Technology Commercialization http: //physics. illinois. edu/ 15

PHYSICS 9 -Nov-2010 26 -Feb-2011 http: //physics. illinois. edu/ 16

PHYSICS 9 -Nov-2010 26 -Feb-2011 http: //physics. illinois. edu/ 17

Teaching Option Offered through Liberal Arts and Sciences in conjunction with the College of Education Must complete a secondary education minor Apply to Science and Letters Physics (then tell us you are interested in teaching option after admission) Contact advisor Prof. Mats Selen (mats@illinois. edu) 26 -Feb-2011 http: //physics. illinois. edu/ 18

Introductory Courses Introductory sequence (3 semesters) – – – PHYS PHYS 211 212 213 214 225 – Mechanics -- Electricity and Magnetism -- Thermal Physics (half-semester) -- Waves and Quantum Physics (half-semester) – Relativity and Math Methods Notes: – Courses have calculus prerequisites – Take Phys 225 the same semester you take Phys 212 – Phys 213 and 214 are two half-semester courses (for practical purposes, it’s a single four hour course) What if you change your mind? – Calculus and Phys 211 -214 are required for most engineering majors. 26 -Feb-2011 http: //physics. illinois. edu/ 19

Introductory Courses Introductory sequence (3 semesters) – – PHYS 211 212 213 214 – Mechanics -- Electricity and Magnetism -- Thermal Physics (half-semester) -- Waves and Quantum Physics (half-semester) Course format: – Lecture, discussion (interactive problem-solving), labs – Lectures are highly interactive using i. Clickers New for fall 2011: – – 26 -Feb-2011 Physics major-only discussion sections Register for one of these if you can, it’s ok if you can’t Help to build a sense of community with our majors Cover additional material when appropriate http: //physics. illinois. edu/ 20

More About Our Courses General information: http: //www. physics. illinois. edu/education/undergrad/ Details on programs: Engineering physics: http: //courses. illinois. edu/cis/2009/fall/programs/undergrad/engin_physics. html LAS Physics http: //courses. illinois. edu/cis/2010/fall/programs/undergrad/las/physics. html Course web pages: http: //www. physics. illinois. edu/courses/ We will help you choose your courses during summer registration. It helps to review our sample schedule and look at the course material before you come. Schedule summer registration date through registrar’s office. Their website will be open on March 15. 26 -Feb-2011 http: //physics. illinois. edu/ 21

Discovery Courses Freshman-only courses Enrollment limited to 19 Offered in many departments Spring 2011 – “Behavior of Complex Systems” – “Science and Pseudoscience” – “Physics of Electronic Musical Instruments” 26 -Feb-2011 http: //physics. illinois. edu/ 22

Academic Advising Every major is assigned an advisor and a faculty mentor – Advisor is the expert on courses/programs/graduation requirements – Mentor is the faculty member, expert on research/areas of study/careers Required to meet academic advisor and mentor until PHYS 325 is taken We are working on some new programs to further aid the mentoring process. 26 -Feb-2011 http: //physics. illinois. edu/ 23

More on Advising Each student is assigned a faculty “mentor” – Get to meet the mentor during first year – Degree to which you use the mentor is up to you New for Fall 2011: we are going pair freshmen up with an upperclass student – They can help you learn the “things you need to know” 26 -Feb-2011 http: //physics. illinois. edu/ 24

Extracurricular Activities Physics Van Society of Women in Physics 26 -Feb-2011 Physics Society http: //physics. illinois. edu/ 25

Physics Society http: //physoc. physics. illinois. edu/ Speaker meetings Faculty research talks Pizza meetings Informal dinner with faculty Engineering Open House Physics demos for kids and the public 26 -Feb-2011 http: //physics. illinois. edu/ 26

Society for Women in Physics Undergraduate research database Midwestern women in physics conference Social gatherings Seminars (“How to get into grad school”, “Careers in Physics”) 26 -Feb-2011 http: //physics. illinois. edu/ 27

Physics Van http: //van. physics. uiuc. edu/ Traveling science show for kids Visit regional elementary schools Fun for everyone! 26 -Feb-2011 http: //physics. illinois. edu/ 28

Teaching Opportunities Upper-class physics majors might have an opportunity to teach! It’s a great learning experience It looks great on your resume/cv Teaching assistants receive stipend Typical teaching load is 2 laboratory sections per semester (~8 -10 hours/week) Our TA’s are good… 75% are voted as “excellent” by their students! 17 -Apr-2010 26 -Feb-2011 http: //physics. illinois. edu/ 29

Undergraduate Research On campus: – Work in a research lab can earn individual study credit – Summer research through senior thesis project Off campus – Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) – 10 week summer research program – Offered at many schools 26 -Feb-2011 http: //physics. illinois. edu/ 30

Senior Thesis Sequence Co-taught by Professor Lance Cooper and technical writing expert Celia Elliott, Director of External Affairs and Special Projects 26 -Feb-2011 http: //physics. illinois. edu/ 31

Intro to Physics Research Explore research fields Presentations Journal Club Introduction to scientific communication Oral presentations Scientific writing Introduction to research basics Collaborations Ethics 26 -Feb-2011 http: //physics. illinois. edu/ 32

Senior Thesis More emphasis on Communication Skills How to design a scientific poster More practice giving presentations Learn specifics on formatting your thesis Journal Club continues 26 -Feb-2011 http: //physics. illinois. edu/ 33

Other Research Opportunities http: //physics. illinois. edu/undergrad/research. asp Can get credit for work (PHYS 199 or 497, Individual Study) 26 -Feb-2011 http: //physics. illinois. edu/ 34

We return to the big question…. What the heck can I do with a physics degree? ? ? 26 -Feb-2011 http: //physics. illinois. edu/ 35

The Answer… ANYTHING YOU WANT! ~50% of UIUC Physics graduates go to graduate school – Mostly in Physics – Some related fields (Astronomy, Engineering) Others find employment in a variety of fields. 26 -Feb-2011 http: //physics. illinois. edu/ 36

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Graduate School: Who/What/How? Grad school may be for you if you want to… – do research and development – work at a national laboratory – teach/research at the college/university level. Duration – 1 -2 year Master’s, 5 -6 year Ph. D. Grad school – Typically get remitted tuition + ~$20 k per year – Two years of course work (+ teach + research) – Three-four years of research + dissertation 26 -Feb-2011 http: //physics. illinois. edu/ 38

Graduate Schools Where do UIUC students attend graduate school? 26 -Feb-2011 School Field Berkeley Boston University Caltech Cornell Harvard Michigan Northwestern Oxford (UK) Stanford University of Chicago University of Illinois Physics High Energy Physics Engineering, Physics, Applied Physics Engineering (Quantum Information) Physics Applied Physics, Astrophysics Physics, Engineering, Education…. http: //physics. illinois. edu/ 39

Post Graduate (Ph. D. ) Employment 50% get postdocs 40% get permanent jobs 10% other 9 -Nov-2010 26 -Feb-2011 Overall employment rate for Ph. D. ’s is *very* high. http: //physics. illinois. edu/ 40

Jobs! Employers in Illinois that recently hired new physics bachelor recipients Accenture Aerotek Scientific Aisin Electronics Illinois, LLC Analysts, Inc. Argonne National Lab Army Corps of Engineers Beckman Institute (University of Illinois) Caterpillar, Inc. CONTAX, Inc. Creative Thermal Solutions CSG Systems Delcross Technologies, LLC Deloitte Consulting, LLP Exelon Fermi National Lab Fuji Machine America Corporation GMS / Vedior Greenlight Planet, Inc. Highland Engineerin, P. C. Imaje Leo Burnett Lockheed Martin Northrop Grumman Orchid Tree WEb Solutions Quantum Design S&C Electric Company Sargent & Lundy United Conveyor Corporation Val-Matic Valve & Manufacturing Corporation Wellpoint, Inc. Zurich North America This is only a portion of the employers who hired recent physics bachelors into technical positions. Source: AIP Statistical Research Center, Initial Employment Surveys, classes 2007 thru 2009. Incomplete list of employers and positions (2000 -2003) 26 -Feb-2011 http: //physics. illinois. edu/ 41

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Skills Knowledge and skills rated as important by physics bachelors 5 -8 years after graduation 9 -Nov-2010 26 -Feb-2011 http: //physics. illinois. edu/ 43

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What WE are doing 1. Working with industry to market our majors and explain the value of physicists! 2. Working with our majors (and Engineering Career Services) to make sure they market themselves and seek out opportunity. 3. Seek out intership opportunities for our students. (separate from research opportunities discussed last week) 4. Surveying our alumni to find out what careers they are in and create ties for future graduates. 5. Getting input from students, parents… 9 -Nov-2010 26 -Feb-2011 http: //physics. illinois. edu/ 47

More Career Data Illinois companies that hire physics bachelors: http: //www. aip. org/statistics/trends/state. html Education and Employment Trends: http: //www. aip. org/statistics/ American Institute of Physics collects the most data on Physics Trends You can find the pot of gold with a physics degree! 26 -Feb-2011 http: //physics. illinois. edu/ 48

Summary It’s all about opportunity! Opportunities for variety in your physics curriculum Opportunities to supplement your education (working on those “people skills” employers love) with extracurricular activities Opportunities to do research as an undergraduate Opportunities for your future! 26 -Feb-2011 http: //physics. illinois. edu/ 49

Contact Information Toni Pitts Coordinator of Recruiting, Advising, and Special Programs Email: tpitts@illinois. edu Phone: 217 -244 -2948 Professor Kevin Pitts Email: kpitts@illinois. edu Department of Physics University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign 1110 West Green Street Urbana, Illinois 61801 -3080 26 -Feb-2011 http: //physics. illinois. edu/ 50