Contact Information
Physics at NMU
The Physics Department provides courses and training designed for the preparation of physics majors and minors. It also offers courses that provide the background in physics required in other curricula such as engineering, allied health sciences, biology, chemistry and education. Additionally, the department offers courses appropriate for students to meet the liberal studies foundations of natural sciences/mathematics requirement.
The department offers programs leading to a bachelor of science or bachelor of arts degree in physics and secondary education physics, and minor programs in physics and physics education. The department also participates in offering a secondary education general science major. See the “Interdisciplinary and Individually Created Programs” section of this bulletin.
Students seeking careers in engineering, mathematics, chemistry, other physical sciences, and pre-professional students who have taken or will take calculus should take PH 220 and PH 221, which provide a one-year, calculus-based physics sequence with laboratory. Nonphysical science majors and other pre-professional students should plan on taking PH 201 and PH 202. This is a non-calculus-based sequence (including laboratory), which is also suitable for biology majors.
Student Organizations
- Physics Club
- Pre-Medical/Pre-Dental Club
- Student Michigan Education Association
Department/Program Policies
Physics Breakage Fee
Students enrolled in a physics laboratory must pay the cost of replacement for any broken glassware, broken equipment or lost tools in excess of one dollar. Records are maintained in the Physics Department, and students are notified of any amount due after the last laboratory meeting.
Prerequisite Work
Physics courses that indicate prerequisites may be taken only when the prerequisite work has been completed with a grade of “C” or higher.
Grade Point Average Requirements
A grade of “C” or better must be earned in all physics courses that apply to the non-teaching major or minor in physics.
Secondary Education Physics
Students with a major or minor in secondary education physics must maintain a grade point average of 3.0 or greater overall, in the major, and/or minor(s) with no grade below a "B-" in the professional education sequence and no grade below a "C" in the major and/or minor(s).
Programs
Bulletin Year: 2023 - 2024 Undergraduate Bulletin | View the current NMU Catalog.