Fall 2016 Incoming Freshmen Presentation Department of Physics & Astronomy
Agenda Department Information Schedule Building Picture Lunch Break Registration (begins at 2, please be back here by 1:30 – 1:45) Building Tour Out by 3 – 3:30 979-845-7717 https://physics.tamu.ed u/
Avoid the dreaded “Closet Major” (handout in your folder) Approved Course Options for Physics Majors by MPE score: MPE Score 1 - 21 MPE Score 22 - 25 MPE Score 26 + MATH 150 MATH 171 MATH 171 CHEM 107/117 CHEM 107/117 PHYS 218 PHYS 101 PHYS 101 PHYS 101 Failure to register for the appropriate classes will result in a closet major registration block, and a change of major will be required before registration for the next semester will be allowed. Notes: CHEM 107/117 may be substituted for PHYS 218 Adjustments may be made to these courses based on AP or dual credit Under certain circumstances, CHEM 101/111 may be approved in place of CHEM 107/117 Any deviations from these options should be discussed with an advisor 979-845-7717 https://physics.tamu.edu /
What if I want to change to Engineering? 1 st two semesters PHYS- Fall – MATH 171, PHYS 218, PHYS 101 (for most), core Spring – MATH 172, PHYS 208, PHYS 102 (for most), CHEM 107/117, core 1 st two semesters ENGR- Fall – MATH 151, PHYS 218, ENGR 111, core Spring – MATH 152, PHYS 208, ENGR 112, CHEM 107/117, core Essentially identical. Engineering will accept MATH 171 and 172 in place of MATH 151 and 152. So what is the real difference? PHYS 101 and 102 vs. ENGR 111 and 112. MATH 171/172 – theory, MATH 151/152 - application 979-845-7717 https://physics.tamu.edu /
AP Credit: With AP exams, you have the option of whether to accept credits awarded based on your scores. Although a score of 3 will award credit for any test, our faculty expect a 5 on any Calculus you choose to accept credit for. • Cal AB test - we suggest you not accept credit and begin in MATH 171. • Cal BC test - we suggest you accept credit for MATH 151 and start in MATH 172. • PHYS B awards credit for PHYS 201 and 202, Algebra-based Physics, which cannot be used in a Physics Degree. • Our research has shown that AP Physics C: Mechanics and Electricity and Magnetism do not adequately prepare you to take PHYS 221, Optics and Thermal Physics, in your first semester. We strongly encourage you to take PHYS 218 and 208 regardless of AP scores. • Please discuss other AP credits with an advisor before accepting. There is no time limit for accepting AP credits, so there is usually no urgency. It is likely most AP credits for general education core courses will be recommended for acceptance. Ultimately, accepting AP credits is your decision. We can only offer advice based on what we have observed with previous students. 979-845-7717 https://physics.tamu.edu /
Dual Credit: With dual credit courses, you do not have the option of whether to accept credits. Texas law requires that transcripts from all college level classes be reported to each school you attend. Courses taken through dual credit that have direct equivalents will automatically populate in your degree evaluation. TAMU does not accept transfer grades, only credits. If you choose to retake a class at TAMU, the class will not automatically appear in place of the transferred course, but a request can be made. This adjustment allows a grade to be recorded in your major GPA. If you have taken calculus dual credit, we recommend starting one level back from what you have completed. That is, if you completed only Cal I, we recommend you start in MATH 171. If you completed Cal II, we recommend you start in MATH 172. Our research on transfer students indicates PHYS 218 and 208 equivalents at community colleges do not adequately prepare you to take PHYS 221, Optics and Thermal in your first semester. We strongly recommend you start in PHYS 218 regardless of prior coursework. Other dual credit courses that meet core requirements are acceptable. As noted with AP credit, the decision of which courses to use and which to retake is yours. 979-845-7717 https://physics.tamu.edu /
Core Curriculum (handout in your folder) The Core Curriculum is a set of classes (42 total hours) across a variety of disciplines that are designed to round out your educational experience. All core curriculum requirements must be met before graduation. Many students meet non-math and science requirements through AP credits, dual credit courses and summer school classes. A student must have 6 credits of International and Cultural Diversity (ICD) coursework before graduating. Many of the classes in the Language, Philosophy and Culture, the Creative Arts, and the Social and Behavioral Sciences, as well as a few in the American History categories are classified as ICD. If a student takes a Creative Arts class that is classified as ICD, both the Creative Arts requirement and the ICD requirement will be met. A class CANNOT count in two core areas. Required Core Areas: • Communication: ENGL 104 and one communication elective (ENGL or COMM) • Mathematics: will be met by MATH 171 and MATH 172 • Life and Physical Sciences: will be met by PHYS 218, PHYS 208 and CHEM 107/117 • Language, Philosophy and Culture: One course required • Creative Arts: One course required • American History: Two courses required, one may be Texas History • Government/Political Science: POLS 206 and POLS 207 • Social and Behavioral Science: One course required • ICD: double dips primarily available in Lang., Phil. And Cult., Creative Arts and Soc. & Behavioral Sci. 979-845-7717 https://physics.tamu.ed u/
Computer Support “Group” The CSG can help with the computers in the computer lab, card access and problems with your personal electronic device. They can also offer some basic audiovisual support in our classrooms. They cannot assist you with problems with your NetID, your TAMU email, or the TAMU wireless internet. Please contact Help Desk Central (helpdesk.tamu.edu) for these problems . Email csg@physics.tamu.edu 979-845-7717 https://physics.tamu.ed u/
Learning Assistance (handout in your folder) If you need help, it is available on campus. Please address problems early, and don’t wait until they get out of hand. If you don’t know where to go, please ask us. Academic Success Center – SIs, Tutoring, Academic Coaching, Workshops (time management, test anxiety and test-taking skills, how to study for finals) Help Desks – Physics, Chemistry and Math Tutoring – Dept. of Multicultural Services, Phi Eta Sigma Honor Society, Society of Physics Students University Writing Center 979-845-7717 https://physics.tamu.edu /
Personalized Precalculus Program (Pre-Cal Boot Camp) The Personalized Precalculus Program (PPP) at Texas A&M University is a three-week, online program designed to improve the success rates of prospective students who will be taking Calculus I. Students who obtain a score in the range of 14 to 21 (out of 33) on the Math Placement Exam (MPE) are strongly encouraged to enroll in the program. The cost of enrollment for the summer 2016 session is $150. PERSONALIZED STUDY PLAN Students enrolled in the Personalized Precalculus Program will receive a Personalized Study Plan (PSP), which will be stored in an online assessment application called WebAssign. While working on their PSP, each student will take category pretests, which will identify their individual mathematical weaknesses. PERSONAL TUTORS In addition to the PSP, each student is assigned a personal, online tutor who works with the student to clear misconceptions, fill gaps, strengthen the student’s mathematical foundation, and help move each student to higher levels of mathematical understanding. The student’s tutor is an experienced math school teacher who has been trained in all forms of technology for the program. During the program, students work independently on their PSP and meet online, Monday through Friday, at previously scheduled times with their tutor in small groups. The tutors monitor the progress of each student’s PSP, they analyze student responses, and they answer student’s individual questions. ppp.tamu.edu 979-845-7717 https://physics.tamu.edu /
Degree Plans for Physics (handout in your folder) 979-845-7717 https://physics.tamu.ed u/
Texas A&M University Career Center careercenter.tamu.edu Available Part-time jobs on-campus and off-campus: jobsforaggies.tamu.edu Internships, Co-ops and Full-time jobs: HireAggies.com Fall Career Fairs: http://careercenter.tamu.edu/events Engineering – Sept. 6 & 7, 9 am – 4 pm – Reed Arena Sciences – Sept. 8, 10 am – 3 pm – Bethancourt Ballroom, MSC Business – Sept. 21 & 22 9am – 4 pm – Reed Arena 979-845-7717 https://physics.tamu.ed u/
What can you do with a Physics degree? 979-845-7717 https://physics.tamu.ed u/
979-845-7717 https://physics.tamu.ed u/
Get a job! 979-845-7717 https://physics.tamu.ed u/
Employers that hired TAMU students who graduated with a BA or BS in Physics over the past 3 years φ Accenture φ Amazon (this year) φ Call Box (this year) φ Capital One (two this year) φ Capsher Technology (this year) φ Credera (this year) φ GHG Corp. – NASA contractor φ L3 Mustang Technologies φ Price Waterhouse Coopers φ Quorum Business Solutions φ SpaceX 979-845-7717 https://physics.tamu.ed u/
Go to graduate school! 979-845-7717 https://physics.tamu.ed u/
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