Information for Enrolled Physics/Astronomy Students

• Declaring the Major
• Program Options: Majors and Minors
• Declaration Requirements and Procedures
• Information for Majors
• Information for Minors
• Mid-Program Checkpoint
• Applying for Graduation?
• How to apply for Graduation
• Requirements for the Baccalaureate Degree
• Considering Graduate School?
• Need Help?

Declaring the Major?

Need help deciding whether Physics is the major you want to declare? Meet with the Physics/Astronomy Advisor at any time to ask questions and explore options. If you're thinking of declaring the major, we encourage you to do so as soon as possible in order to establish a plan of study. You will also gain access to Physics classes during the first phase of registration (first five weekdays of Phase I), when courses are restricted to majors only.

Program Options : Majors and Minors

The department has programs leading to theB.S. in Physics and the B.A. in Education (secondary).

For detailed information about each of these options, see Plans of Study. If you have any questions, or if you need help deciding which option is for you, make an appointment with the Physics/Astronomy Advisor. Stop by CF 385 and sign up for a time.

Declaration Requirements and Procedures

Criteria for Declaring: To declare a major in phyics, students must have a minimum overall g.p.a. of 2.5.

Procedure for declaring: Make an appointment with the Physics/Astronomy Advisor. Just drop by CF 385. Plan to bring current transcripts and/or grade report cards, including transcripts from colleges or universities other than Western.

Information for Declared Majors

Once you have declared the major (see above), you will have access to physics classes during the first Phase of registration. You may apply for major status when you completed the WWU admission process.

If you need help deciding on classes, or if you're having trouble with registration, contact the Physics/Astronomy Advisor.

Information for Minors

Two different minors are available: the physics minor, and the astronomy minor. A minor is not officially declared at Western. To complete a minor, follow the plan of study for the minor of your choice.

Physics Minor — 38 credits

• Physics 121, 122, 123, 131, 132, 133, 223, 233
• At least two courses selected from the following: Physics 219, 224, 225, 322, or 323
• Math 124, 125, 224

Astronomy Minor — 29-30 credits

• Physics 114, 115 and 116; or PHYS 121, 122, 123, 131, 132 and 133, 219
• Astronomy 315, 316
• Astronomy 320 or 333 or 416

Registration for minors begins on the sixth day of phase I, so plan ahead and allow for flexibility, just in case a class you want becomes filled. Please be assured, most classes do not fill. However it is essential to try and finish requirements by the early part of your senior year, so that you're not lacking some critical course during the last quarter or two before graduation.

At least two quarters prior to graduation, plan to see the Physics/Astronomy Advisor for a minor evaluation. When you submit your Degree Application to the Registrar's Office, you will need to turn in your minor evaluation along with your major evaluation. In the meantime, if you have any questions, feel free to ask!

Mid-program checkpoint

A student seeking to complete a B.S. degree in physics within a four year time span should have completed the following courses by the start of his/her junior year. Major omissions from this list will make it difficult or impossible to complete this degree within two additional years.

• Physics 121, 122, 123, 131, 132, 133, 223, 224, 233, 322, 323
• Math 124, 125, 204, 224, 225, 304, 331
• Astron 327
• CS 140

A student seeking to complete a BA in Education degree in physics/mathematics within a four-year time span should have completed the following courses by the start of his/her junior year. Major omissions from this list will make it difficult or impossible to complete this degree within two additional years.

• Physics 121, 122, 123, 131, 132, 133, 219, 223, 224, 225, 233, 322
• Math 124, 125, 204, 224, 209, 331

The writing proficiency course and area requirements should be completed during your junior year and early during your senior year. For a review of Western's requirements, see Graduation Requirements for the Baccalaureate Degree.

Applying for Graduation

When to apply for graduation

Plan to apply for graduation two quarters prior to your final quarter. For example, if you're graduating at the end of Spring Quarter, you'll need to apply for graduation during Fall Quarter.

How to apply for graduation

Make an appointment ASAP with the Physics/Astronomy Advisor to do your major evaluation. Please plan to do this well in advance of registration. Just drop by CF 385 and sign up for an appointment. Plan to bring a copy of your transcript(s) so your coursework can be evaluated (unofficial is fine, or grade report cards. You can get a transcript off the net). The final step will be to turn in your major evaluation, along with a Degree Application, to the Registrar's Office. Degree Application packets are available at the Registrar's Office, Old Main 230.

Graduation Requirements for the Baccalaureate Degree

Physics students must meet the graduation requirements of the College of Arts and Sciences. Here are the requirements for the Baccalaureate Degree:

• Complete all requirements for the major in Physics (or combined major) according to your Plan of Study. Requirements include a WWU writing proficiency course (designated in the Timetable and completed with a grade of C- or better). All other courses in the major must be completed with a C- or better.

• Complete a minimum of 180 total credits. This includes 90 credits of GURs (or a direct
  transfer A.A. degree from a community college). Note: English 101 must be completed with
  a grade of C- or better.

• Complete a minimum of 60 upper division credits (300/400 level). (That is, 60 credits of the
  180 total required must be upper division).

• Complete a minimum of 45 credits in residence at WWU (correspondence coursework does
  not satisfy this requirement).

• Your final quarter must be in residence--i.e. you must be registered for at least one Western course in the quarter in which degree is to be awarded. Correspondence courses are allowed only by exception.

• Your cumulative GPA at Western must be at least 2.50.

• For the B.A. Education degree, complete the professional education sequence.

• Submit an application for the degree no later than the last day of classes two quarters prior to quarter of intended graduation.