|
 Things
to Think About: A Miscellany
While you
are an undergraduate Physics major, there are many other things of
which you need to be aware:
Class
Attendance Policy. It is the policy of Appalachian State University
that class attendance is considered to be an important part of a student's
educational experience. Students are expected to attend every meeting
of their classes, and are responsible for class attendance. No matter
what bases exist for absence, students are held accountable for academic
activities, and faculty may require special work or tests to make
up for the missed class or classes. Faculty, at their discretion,
may include class attendance as a criterion in determining a student's
final grade in the course. On the first day of class, faculty must
inform students in writing of their class attendance policy and the
effect of that policy on their final grade. If class attendance is
to affect a student's final grade, then a statement to this effect
must be a part of the course syllabus distributed to each student.
Class
Load. An undergraduate student may register for up to 18 hours
of credit each semester. In special situations, an undergraduate student
may take more than 18 hours a semester provided the student has received
prior approval from the dean of the college in which the student is
enrolled. Registration for less than 12 semester hours in a given
term places an undergraduate student on a part-time basis. To earn
full-time resident credit, students must be registered for a minimum
of nine semester hours. During one of the student's last three semesters,
each undergraduate student who is taking a program leading to teacher
certification will student-teach at least one semester in the area
and at the level for which the student has been preparing. This work
will consist of full-time teaching activities under the guidance of
a competent and experienced teacher. Students must earn 12 semester
hours of credit for student teaching. No student teaching is permitted
during the summer.
Work
Versus Study. If you plan to work more than 10 to 15 hours a week
we recommend that you drop your class load. Since the rule of thumb
is to study two hours out of class for each hour in class, then you
should drop your class load by 3 hours for every 10 hours of work
beyond 15 hours a week. So if you work 25 hours a week you should
take no more than 13 hours of credit. If you work 35 hours a week,
you should take no more than 10 hours of classes. If these guidelines
are not followed, you risk not passing your courses at a satisfactory
level.
Independent
Study. Independent study is the term for study of a subject not
offered in the printed curriculum, in which a student may earn a variable
amount of credit depending on the scope of the project. Independent
study should address a special, or unique topic or learning situation.
The vehicles for earning this credit are courses listed in departmental
offerings as PHY 2500, 3500, and 5500. Each student seeking approval
for an independent study will apply to the chairperson of the department
in which the credit is to be earned and will present an oral prospectus
of the project to be undertaken. The chairperson may suggest a faculty
member for the student to confer with regarding the proposed project.
After this conference, if the faculty member agrees to supervise the
student, a written prospectus will be drawn up by the student and
presented to the departmental chairperson. If the chairperson approves,
he/she will determine the amount of credit and authorize the registration
for the independent study. The dean of the college involved will endorse
the chairperson's authorization if the dean approves the registration.
Registration for the course will be done during the registration period,
and grades will be reported in the regular way at the end of the semester
in which the project is completed.
Pass-Fail.
A student with sophomore standing and a minimum GPA of 2.00 or
above may take a maximum of one pass-fail course in a semester and
a maximum of one pass-fail course in any summer (one per calendar
summer) to a maximum of six pass-fail courses. Any undergraduate course
may be chosen under this option, except those courses used to comprise
the total hour requirements of the student's major, minor and general
education requirements. It is the responsibility of the student to
make sure that he/she does not violate this limitation. If a course
in which a regular grade was received is repeated, it must be taken
under the regular grading system when repeated. A grade of "P" means
that the student's grade was equal to a "D" or above on a conventional
grading scale. The hours earned will count toward graduation, but
the grade will not be computed in his or her grade point average.
A grade of "F" means that the student failed the course. No credit
is earned, but the grade of "F" is computed in his or her grade-point
average as an "F". In order to choose the option of pass-fail in a
course, the student will get from the Registrar's Office a special
pass-fail form. With the exception of filling out and returning the
pass-fail form, no special procedures for registering for a course
under the Pass-Fail Grading Option are necessary. A student who elects
the Pass-Fail Option of the beginning of a term will be allowed to
change the option sometime after mid-term examinations and be given
the end-of-course letter grade earned. There will be a one-week time
period specified by the Registrar for changing from the Pass-Fail
Grading Option to the regular grading system and this time period
will be announced in the Schedule of Classes each term. The Instructor
in a course will report all grades at the end of the semester on the
regular system. The Office of Computer and Management Services will
properly interpret the regular grades to pass-fail grades for those
under the latter system in a given course, which will be so recorded
on the student's grade report and transcript. It should be noted that
the faculty of the Department do not recommend the use of the pass-fail
option for any courses involved in any direct way with the pursuit
of a scientific and mathematical background. Courses with grades of
"Pass" on your transcript will often be viewed with suspicion.
Repeat
Rule. When a course is repeated, only the initial attempt can
be exempted from the student's grade point average. A student is allowed
a maximum of five repeated courses in which the initial attempt is
exempted from the grade point average.
Honors
Program. The Department offers outstanding students the opportunity
to conduct independent research in physics, electronics and astronomy.
A student wishing to graduate with honors in physics must successfully
complete Physics 4510; Senior Honors Research and Thesis. The student,
under the direction of a research thesis advisor, chooses a topic
for study, prepares and executes an experimental or theoretical program,
analyzes the resulting data and writes a thesis based on this work.
The thesis is presented both orally and in writing to the department.
To be eligible for this program, the student must have a GPA of at
least 3.5 overall and 3.5 in physics courses. Most students of this
caliber will continue on to graduate school and this program provides
them with invaluable experience in the area of original, independent
research. Although Physics 4510 must be taken during the student's
final semester, it is highly recommended that he or she begin to make
preparations with the chosen thesis advisor the semester prior to
this. Further details may be obtained from Dr. Allen (CAP Room 217),
the departmental honors coordinator.
Undergraduate
Research. The Department offers outstanding students the opportunity
to engage in research with members of the faculty. The student joins
the faculty member's research area and conducts aspects of their research.
This gives the student an opportunity to experience the creative side
of Physics and Astronomy while obtaining academic credit in PHY 3560.
The
Physics Clubs include the Physics & Astronomy Club and Women in
Physics Club. They provide an important link between you and other
majors who have similar interests. Colloquially called the "Physics
and Astronomy Club," this organization is actually a chapter of the
National Society of Physics Students (SPS). Included under the aegis
of the SPS is also the National Honor Society for Physics students,
Sigma Pi Sigma, to which you may aspire. (Inductions are held annually.)
The SPS Chapter usually has an active program of activities including
guest speakers, trips, and social events. You will certainly want
to consider membership and an active leadership role in the organization.
Dues are only $5 local and $10 national per year. See Angela Owen
(CAP Room 231) for membership information. For more information about
the Women in Physics Club, please contact Dr. Marian Peters (CAP Room
327).
Financial
Assistance is often a point of prime concern to physics majors,
like all other students. The department administers limited funds
directly for scholarship aid for students: information may be obtained
from the department chairman, Dr. Calamai (CAP Room 233), and the
University Financial Aid Office (John E. Thomas Academic Support Building,
ext. 2190). See also item 10 below.
Internships,
both paid and unpaid, are available to major students who have achieved
at least junior status and have successfully passed Physics 2010 and
2020. Consider these as a means of obtaining valuable practical experience
as well as earning some money. There are meetings throughout each
semester for information. If interested, see the Departmental Coordinator,
Dr. Rokoske (CAP Room 223).
Jobs
in Department. Jobs involving teaching assistance in the introductory
laboratories as well as miscellaneous shop duties or other tasks,
are sometimes available depending upon the availability of University
and Work-Study funds, and the financial needs of the students. These
often provide valuable experience as well as remuneration. See the
Chair, Dr. Calamai (CAP Room 233) for possibilities.
Teaching Assistants. Instructional assistance is strongly recommended
for all (and required for most) major students as it provides, on
a credit basis (1 s.h.), an opportunity for students to participate
in supervised physics instruction. Often students find that the experience
improves their understanding of the concepts of introductory physics
and that it is enjoyable and rewarding as well. See Dr. Calamai (CAP
Room 233) for details.
Awards
are occasionally presented to students who meet certain academic achievement
goals. Typically the award takes the form of cash or a book of continuing
value to the student.
Study
Carrells in the department have been set aside for advanced serious
students of physics, i.e., majors, on an availability basis. A copy
of the kind of justification and the rules that carrell users are
subject to is available. Carrell space is allotted on an annual basis,
and every student must reapply each year. Since you will be spending
a great deal of time in the building as you pursue your goal of a
physics degree, you will find the carrell space to be of value from
a convenience standpoint as well as the esprit that develops between
students of similar professional interest. Obtain forms from the departmental
office (CAP Room 231), at the beginning of each year.
Computer
Lab. A computer lab with PC's is available (CAP 369). It is for
use by students in Physics, Astronomy, and Chemistry courses.
|
