Prospective Undergraduate Students

Preparation

The best high school preparation for a physics major is a balanced academic program that includes a firm foundation in mathematics. Coursework in physics and other sciences is desirable but not required.

Transfer credit from other colleges or universities is granted for courses that parallel WMU's requirements.

Classroom Instruction

All classroom instruction is conducted by well trained physicists holding doctoral degrees. Most faculty members are actively engaged in specialty research in areas such as astronomy, atomic and molecular physics, nuclear physics, condensed matter physics, physics education and applied physics. In addition, a highly trained technical staff supports the department's work.

While research is important, the department prides itself on the high quality of its teaching. The department is large enough to offer strong, well-rounded programs of study, yet small enough to provide good communication between faculty and students.

In addition, the department offers a special low-enrollment introductory physics course of about twenty-five to thirty-five students for physics majors and students enrolled in the Lee Honors College.

Laboratory Classes

The majority of physics labs are taken separately from their partnering lecture course but ideally both courses are taken in the same semester. The aim of all of the labs is to aid in understanding of the lecture material and in the development of practical skills which is particularly important for physics majors. Each lab has an assigned teaching assistant who will give any necessary information before a lab starts and is available to guide/clarify during the lab and to grade the reports.

Facilities

The department has advanced equipment to support teaching and research. A 12 MeV Van de Graaff accelerator is used in certain undergraduate laboratory exercises, by advanced undergraduate students working on special projects, and for fundamental research in atomic, nuclear, and solid state physics.

Admissions

Admission to the University is processed by the Office of Admissions. For current requirements, consult their website, The Undergraduate Catalog or contact the admissions office by calling (269) 387-2000.

Financial Aid

Generous gifts from Dr. and Mrs. Paul Rood and Dr. and Mrs. Nathan Nichols have made it possible to grant partial scholarships to outstanding individuals majoring in physics. These monies may be continued through the student's senior year, providing satisfactory progress is made towards a degree. Other scholarships may be available for Rood/Nichols scholarship awardees.

Information about additional financial assistance, such as non-departmental scholarships, employment opportunities, loans and grants, can be obtained from the Office of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships from their website or by calling (269) 387-6000.

Further Information

Detailed information about the available physics programs can be found from the link at the top of the page or here. If your questions are not covered there or you require more details, contact us electronically here or write/call: