Brochure: Physics & Astronomy Undergraduate Program

The Undergraduate Experience

in Physics & Astronomy Centers & Institutes • Center of Excellence in Materials Research & Innovation (MRSEC) • Center for Acoustic Cooling • Dixon Laser Institute • High Energy Astrophysics Institute • Scanning Electron Microscope • Machine Shop, Wood Shop & Metals Shop

Observatories • • • • • • •

South Physics Observatory Star Base - Utah TARA Array Telescope Array VERITAS/HAWC Willard L. Eccles Observatory W. M. Keck Observatory

300 Current Undergrads 1,300 total Bachelors degrees awarded

100 Current Graduates 500 total Masters & 400 total PhD degrees awarded

40 Current Professors

Contact Information: Department Advisors: Lynn Higgs, (801) 581-7140 Tamara Young, (801) 581-7910 uadvising@physics.utah.edu

201 James Fletcher Bldg.

115 South 1400 East Salt Lake City, UT 84112-0830 (801) 581-6901

Offering Majors & Minors in these areas:

• Astronomy • Applied Physics • Biomedical Physics • Honors Physics • Physics Education • Pre-Medical & Professional Physics

Dept of Physics & Astronomy University of Utah www.physics.utah.edu www.astro.utah.edu

Mission

Student Opportunities

Our mission is to advance knowledge about the appearances and interactions of energy and matter and of celestial objects and phenomena. We support the highest levels of research and teaching among our faculty members. We strive to enable the success of all our students by creating an academically excellent, efficient and comfortable learning environment. The department supports the utilization of its accomplishments for the benefit of organizations and individuals in the local as well as global community.

• Participate in paid research as a research assistant (RA), or in our summer REU program • Join the Astronomy Club, or the Society of Physics Students (SPS) • Become a member of one of our Student Advisory Committees (USAC & GSAC) • Visit, & explore a public star party at our observatory • Be a paid Teaching Assistant (TA) & tutor fellow students

Why?

A wide variety of department scholarships and tuition waivers are available to graduates, undergraduates, incoming freshmen and transfer students. Visit www.physics.utah.edu for a complete list.

Studying Physics or Astronomy is a very effective way to develop imagination, as well as critical and abstract thinking, whether or not you aspire to a career in science or technology. Physics and astronomy are fun, interesting, and lead to careers where work is engaging, secure, and well compensated.

The skills learned are advantageous for entrance into highly competitive post-graduate medical, dental, law or other pre-professional programs. Graduates from the Pre-Medical Physics program have the highest percentage acceptance rate to medical and dental school of any major on campus. Recent graduates have been accepted to the graduate programs and medical schools at Caltech, Yale, Northwestern, University of Maryland, Pittsburgh Medical School, & Baylor Medical School.

Scholarships

Location The University of Utah offers a high quality education at a very affordable price. With museums, concert halls, full athletic facilities, leading-edge computer labs, and the state’s official arboretum, the University of Utah campus is like a large park devoted to learning, just minutes from downtown Salt Lake City.

Community Outreach The Department of Physics & Astronomy is dedicated to scientific education and public outreach. Over the years, our presence in the community, as well as opportunities for community involvement have increased significantly. Below are only a few of the many outreach programs our department coordinates:

• After School Science for Refugee Communities • AstronomUrs Community Outreach • ASPIRE: Astrophysics Science Project Integrating Research & Education • Demolicious” Demo shows • FIRST Robotics League • Free Public Star Parties, & Solar Parties • Math, Engineering, & Science Achievement (MESA) • Scouts: science & astronomy patch programs • SPS: The Society of Physics Students

Core Research The Department of Physics & Astronomy engages in theoretical and experimental research that spans a broad spectrum of modern physics. Our commitment to excellence and success in research is reflected in the strong international reputations of our faculty and programs.

The Department of Physics & Astronomy is involved in these main areas of research: • Astronomy & Astrophysics • Biophysics • Cosmic Rays • Education • Experimental & Theoretical Condensed Matter • Medical Physics • Particle Physics We encourage all students, undergraduate & graduate alike, to get involved in research.

For more information, visit us at: www.physics.utah.edu