Undergraduate Physics
26-Feb-2011
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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/
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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/
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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/
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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?
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http://physics.illinois.edu/
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By the numbers
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60 faculty
290 graduate students
315 undergraduate students
$23M 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)
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http://physics.illinois.edu/
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Areas of Research
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Astrophysics
Atomic and Molecular Optics
Biological Physics
Complex Systems
Condensed Matter
Cosmology
High-Energy Physics
Nuclear Physics
Physics Education
Quantum Information
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Campus centers:
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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
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http://physics.illinois.edu/
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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)
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http://physics.illinois.edu/
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Engineering Physics
 Offered through College of Engineering
 128 Hours required to graduate
 Curriculum features: “Elective Options”
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[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/
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LAS Science and Letters Physics
 Offered through College of Liberal Arts
and Sciences
 Curriculum features: “Elective Options”
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[more on this in a minute]
 120 hours required to graduate
 Graduate school or industry track
 4 years of HS foreign language or 4thsemester college language satisfies
language requirement
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http://physics.illinois.edu/
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LAS Specialized Physics
 Offered through College of Liberal Arts
and Sciences
 126 hours required to graduate
 4 years of HS foreign language or 4thsemester 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/
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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 4th 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?
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http://physics.illinois.edu/
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Degree Requirements
 “Core” Physics Courses
 “Core” Math courses
(+2 courses = math minor)
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Supporting courses (Chem, CS)
General Education requirements
Elective Options
Free electives
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http://physics.illinois.edu/
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Elective Options
 Allows students to tailor curriculum to their needs
and interests.
 Examples:
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Professional Physics (this is the grad school track)
Astrophysics
Biophysics
Bioengineering
Computational Physics
Materials Science
Physical Electronics
Earth Science
Science Writing
New options coming:
Pre-law
•Nuclear physics
•Energy/sustainability
Pre-med
•Management
User defined
•Atmospheric science
•…
http://physics.illinois.edu/
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Recent user defined options
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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/
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PHYSICS
9-Nov-2010
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http://physics.illinois.edu/
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PHYSICS
9-Nov-2010
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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/
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Introductory Courses
 Introductory sequence (3 semesters)
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PHYS
PHYS
PHYS
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/
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Introductory Courses
 Introductory sequence (3 semesters)
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PHYS
PHYS
PHYS
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 iClickers
 New for fall 2011:
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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/
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More About Our Courses
General information:
http://www.physics.illinois.edu/education/undergrad/
Details on programs:
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Engineering physics:
http://courses.illinois.edu/cis/2009/fall/programs/undergrad/engin/engin_physics.html
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LAS Physics
http://courses.illinois.edu/cis/2010/fall/programs/undergrad/las/physics.html
Course web pages:
http://www.physics.illinois.edu/courses/
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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.
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Schedule summer registration date through registrar’s
office. Their website will be open on March 15.
26-Feb-2011
http://physics.illinois.edu/
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Discovery Courses
 Freshman-only courses
 Enrollment limited to 19
 Offered in many departments
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Spring 2011
– “Behavior of Complex Systems”
– “Science and Pseudoscience”
– “Physics of Electronic Musical Instruments”
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http://physics.illinois.edu/
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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/
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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”
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http://physics.illinois.edu/
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Extracurricular Activities
Physics Van
Society of
Women in
Physics
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Physics
Society
http://physics.illinois.edu/
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Physics Society
 http://physoc.physics.illinois.edu/
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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/
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Society for Women in Physics
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Undergraduate research database
Midwestern women in physics conference
Social gatherings
Seminars (“How to get into grad school”,
“Careers in Physics”)
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http://physics.illinois.edu/
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Physics Van
 http://van.physics.uiuc.edu/
 Traveling science show for kids
 Visit regional elementary schools
 Fun for everyone!
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http://physics.illinois.edu/
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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/
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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/
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Senior Thesis Sequence
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Co-taught by Professor Lance Cooper and technical writing
expert Celia Elliott, Director of External Affairs and Special
Projects
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http://physics.illinois.edu/
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Intro to Physics Research
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Explore research fields
Presentations
Journal Club
Introduction to scientific communication
Oral presentations
Scientific writing
Introduction to research basics
Collaborations
Ethics
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http://physics.illinois.edu/
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Senior Thesis
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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/
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Other Research Opportunities
 http://physics.illinois.edu/undergrad/research.asp
 Can get credit for work (PHYS 199 or 497,
Individual Study)
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http://physics.illinois.edu/
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We return to the big question….
What the heck can
I do with a physics
degree???
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http://physics.illinois.edu/
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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.
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http://physics.illinois.edu/
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http://physics.illinois.edu/
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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 + ~$20k per year
– Two years of course work (+ teach + research)
– Three-four years of research + dissertation
26-Feb-2011
http://physics.illinois.edu/
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Graduate Schools
 Where do UIUC students attend graduate
school?
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School
Field
Berkeley
Boston University
Caltech
Cornell
Harvard
Michigan
Northwestern
Oxford (UK)
Stanford
University of Chicago
University of Illinois
Physics
High Energy Physics
Physics
Engineering, Physics,
Applied Physics
Engineering
Engineering (Quantum Information)
Physics
Applied Physics
Physics, Astrophysics
Physics, Engineering, Education….
http://physics.illinois.edu/
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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/
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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
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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)
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http://physics.illinois.edu/
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9-Nov-2010
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http://physics.illinois.edu/
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Skills
 Knowledge and skills rated as important
by physics bachelors 5-8 years after
graduation
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http://physics.illinois.edu/
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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/
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More Career Data
 Illinois companies that hire physics
bachelors:
http://www.aip.org/statistics/trends/states/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/
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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/
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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/
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