2010-2011 University Catalog

Physics and Astronomy

■ Physics and Astronomy

Phone: 703-993-1280
Web: www.physics.gmu.edu

Faculty

Professors: Becker*, Blaisten-Barojas*, Dworzecka, Ehrlich, Ellsworth, Lieb, Mishin, Satija, Summers (Chair), Trefil

Associate professors: Barreto, Borne*, Opher, Rubin, Satyapal, Sauer, So, Wallin*, Weingartner

Assistant professors: Cressman, Nikolic, Rosenberg, Tian, Weigel*, Zhang*, Zhao

Term associate professor: Oerter

Term assistant professors: Geller, Jazaeri, Wyczalkowski

Term instructors: Ericson, Ewell

Emeriti: Ceperley, Evans, Mielczarek

Research faculty: Duxbury, Gliozzi, Meier, Poland*, Richards

*These guest faculty hold primary appointments in other departments.

Course Work

The Physics and Astronomy Department offers all course work designated ASTR and PHYS in the Courses chapter of this catalog.

Honors Program in Physics

Physics majors who have maintained an overall GPA of at least 3.50 in physics courses and a GPA of 3.50 in all courses taken at Mason may apply to the departmental honors program when they complete the first semester of their junior year. To graduate with honors in physics, a student is required to maintain a minimum GPA of 3.00 in physics courses and successfully complete PHYS 405 and 406 with a GPA of at least 3.50 and a grade of at least A- in PHYS 406.

Honors Program in Astronomy

Astronomy majors who have completed the prerequisites for ASTR 405 Honors Thesis in Astronomy, have a GPA of at least 3.5 in ASTR and PHYS courses taken at GMU, and have a GPA of at least 3.5 in all courses taken at GMU may apply for admission to the Astronomy Honors Program. To graduate with honors in astronomy, a student must maintain a GPA of at least 3.5 in their ASTR/PHYS courses. Students accepted into the honors program must complete ASTR 405 and 406 with a GPA of at least 3.5 and a grade of A- or better in ASTR 406. Students in ASTR 405/406 will complete a research project and write a thesis working under the supervision of a faculty member. At the end of ASTR 406, the student will write a substantial thesis paper and make a presentation of results to their honors committee.

Alternative Introductory Sequence

Normally, students who intend to major in physics should take the physics introductory sequence (PHYS 160, 161, 260, 261, 262, and 263). Students who decide to major in physics after completing PHYS 243, 244, 245, and 246 may do so but only with written permission of the Physics and Astronomy Department. Those students are required to take at least 4 additional credits in approved physics courses.

Physics for Nonmajors

PHYS 243, 244, 245, and 246 are recommended for biology, geology, and premedical students, and mathematics students who seek a BA degree. PHYS 101, 102, 103, and 104 are intended for nonscience majors. PHYS 160, 161, 260, 261 or 265, 262, and 263 constitute a calculus-based sequence in general physics to be taken by physics and engineering majors, and chemistry, computer science, and mathematics students who are pursuing a BS degree. Students may receive credit for only one of the following three sequences: PHYS 243, 244, 245, 246; PHYS 103, 104; or PHYS 160, 161, 260, 261, 262, 263.

Research Opportunities

The department offers many opportunities for undergraduate students to get involved with research. Students should consult with faculty working on research of interest to them, based on their examination of the Physics Department web site.

Teacher Licensure

Students who wish to become teachers should consult the College of Education and Human Development chapter and attend an information session early in their undergraduate career. For more information, call 703-993-2078, e-mail gacline2@gmu.edu, or go to gse.gmu.edu.

Physics, Bachelor’s/Accelerated Master’s Degree

Qualified undergraduates may be admitted to an accelerated master’s program and obtain both a BS and an MS in Physics within an accelerated time frame. Students admitted to this program may take graduate courses after completing 90 undergraduate credits, and up to 6 credits of graduate work may be used in partial satisfaction of the requirements for the undergraduate degree. If students earn at least a 3.00 in these classes, they are granted advanced standing in the master’s program and must then complete an additional 24 credits to receive the master’s degree. All other master’s degree requirements must be met, including a minimum of 18 credits taken for the master’s after the bachelor’s degree is complete.