Major:
How do I declare my Physics Major?
How does the Physics Department advising system work?
What if I have a question or concern about the Physics Department?
How is the level of honors calculated for graduating seniors?
Research:
How do I find a lab to work in?
Can I get paid for doing research during the academic year?
How do I apply for summer research jobs?
Graduate School:
How can I study for the Physics GRE?
Jobs:
Are there grading positions available for undergrads?
Are there TA positions available for undergrads?
Other:
How do I go about obtaining letters of recommendation?
How do I sign up for the Society of Physics Students?
How do I declare my Physics Major?
The deadline for declaring a major is the spring of sophomore year. However, you can still declare in the spring of your freshman year if you wish. For the physics major, it is advisable for you to declare early. You can always change later if you want. When you have decided to declare your physics major, you should schedule an appointment with the Undergraduate Physics Advisor (2006-2007), Peter Nemethy. The declaration process consists of reviewing your plan of study, and filling out some minor paperwork. You can fill out this form beforehand, if you wish. Please see Bill LePage after you have met with Peter Nemethy so that he can enter your information officially in SIS/Albert.
How does the Physics Department advising system work?
All Physics majors automatically have the Undergrad Physics Advisor as their advisor. The Undergraduate Physics Advisor is always a member of the Physics faculty and changes on a yearly basis. You can talk with the advisor about anything at any time, from course selection, to future job or graduate plans, to labs, etc.
What if I have a question or concern about the Physics Department?
If you ever have any questions, or issues, or complaints about anything in the physics dept, you are encouraged to talk with the following people:
David Hogg, Director of Undergraduate Studies: david.hogg@nyu.edu, Meyer 501
Bill LePage: wlp1@nyu.edu, Meyer 424
How is the level of honors calculated for graduating seniors?
Candidates for a degree with honors in physics must complete the requirements for an intensive major (see - undergraduate program ). They must also complete the equivalent of a semester of experimental or theoretical research. Students who wish to fulfill this requirement should discuss possible options, such as independent study courses, with the director of undergraduate studies. A research paper based on this work must be prepared and orally presented. Their overall GPA must be 3.65 or higher. For additional general requirements for a degree with honors, please see Honors and Awards.
Note that these departmental recommendations are not necessarily the same as the overall college honors degrees (which are given in Latin: cum laude, magna cum laude, summa cum laude).
How do I find a lab to work in?
The procedure is informal. You should look through the faculty webpage to find out which professors are engaged in research that you might be interested in doing, and then send one or two emails. If that doesn’t work, knock on their door. Let the professor know what your background is, what courses you have taken, and your strengths in research.
Some people have suggested that there be a faculty member responsible for acting as liaison for student and faculty. That is not the most practical solution because quite often jobs get created on the spur of the moment as the need arises, and sometimes professors think up projects on the spot. It is not possible for one person to know precisely what is happening in every professor’s lab in real time.
Can I get paid for doing research during the academic year?
Yes. In the following ways: 1) The money can come directly from the lab you're working in from a professor’s grant. 2) The money can come from the Student Employment Office, or Federal Work Study. Note that you cannot get paid and get independent study credit at the same time.
How do I apply for summer research jobs?
There are lots and lots of summer research opportunities out there. See here for details.
How can I study for the Physics GRE?
A practice booklet can be found on the ETS webpage here. A description of the Physics exam can be found here.
Although a few students take the Physics GRE in the spring of their junior year, most take it in November in their senior year. Don't wait until the December date, because the scores might not arrive in time. Save the December date for a retake, if you feel that you need to do that; but again, the scores might not arrive in time. Take one of the practice exams early, so you can see what topics are covered and what the problems look like. Save at least one exam for a few days before the actual test, so you can get your mind in test-taking mode.
Don't forget to sign up by the registration deadline.
Are there grading positions available for undergrads?
Send an email to Bill LePage if you are interested. Which courses need graders usually isn't determined until enrollments are finalized.
Are there TA positions available for undergrads?
There are occasionally TA positions available for undergraduates, depending on the number of graduate students who will be teaching in a given term. The final data usually isn't known until a about a week before classes start (and sometimes not until after they start), but if you are interested, send an email to Bill LePage at least a month in advance.
How do I go about obtaining letters of recommendation?
See the document “Requesting Recommendation Letters” for some guidelines. You can link to it from here
How do I sign up for the Society of Physics Students?
For more information on the Society of Physics Students, see the SPS webpage http://physics.nyu.edu/undergraduate/Sps/index1.html.