The Department of Physics offers both an undergraduate major and minor in physics. The major in physics includes a strong emphasis on experiment and covers the broad fundamentals necessary for graduate study in physics and related fields. The minor in physics offers a slate of courses that provides a firm grounding in the basics with sufficient flexibility to accommodate the needs and interests of those likely to pursue this line of study. For more details concerning our undergraduate major, including sample programs, please consult the College Catalog or contact either Stuart Gazes, the Undergraduate Program Chair, Zosia Krusberg, Director of Graduate Studies, or Peter Littlewood, the Department Chair.
Links to detailed information and resources for undergraduate students are found under the tabs below.
- Current Course Offerings: U of C class search site
- Textbook Lists: Current Quarter
- Lab Wiki Home
- Final Exam Schedule
- Undergraduate Course Descriptions: In the College Catalog
- Undergraduate Course Outlines
- Physics Instructional Services: lab schedules, office hours, lost & found, etc.
- College Course Evaluations
- College Tutoring Program
- University Libraries
- Physics and Math Tutoring Pilot Program: Tutoring program and math workshop series aimed at students in the introductory physics sequences (PHYS 120s, 130s, & 140s).
- Graduate Courses: A list of regularly scheduled graduate courses
- General Information: List of units engaged in Physics-related research and the information about Physics Reading Seminar.
- Undergraduate Research Profiles
- Summer Internships - UChicago-Specific
- Campus and Student Life: a wealth of information for students
- Student Health & Counseling Services
- Safety and Security: for getting around UChicago
- Transportation: shuttles, buses, parking
- Food: on campus dining, in Hyde Park
- Undergraduate Housing
- Chicago Studies: engaging students with the community
- About Hyde Park
- Lost and Found:
- Kersten Physics Teaching Center: room 205
- Elsewhere On Campus (scroll to the bottom)
- Who's Hiring Physics Bachelors
- Career Advancement: career advising and planning
- Finding a Career: a bit of practical advise
- Educational Testing Service (ETS): concerning the GRE, TOEFL, etc.
- Grad School Forum: Every spring the department hosts a "Grad School Forum." This event, lead by a member of the department's academic staff, offers advice on things such as the following:
- Should you go to graduate school?
- How to choose the right graduate school.
- How to prepare your application for graduate school.
- How to prepare for the GRE.
- GRE Preparation: PHYS 990
- Every autumn quarter, the department offers an unofficial GRE preparation seminar called PHYS 990. This "mini-course" is designed to be the final stage of preparation for the mid-October offering of the GRE subject test in physics. Typically, PHYS 990 consists of a partial review of some of the basic areas of physics usually covered on the exam, especially those subjects in which students tend to be weak or rusty. In addition to this review, students are also advised of certain tips and tricks that will help improve performance. Also, one or two practice exams are taken under test conditions. Details for the next offering of PHYS 990 is sent out to all rising senior physics majors before the start of the autumn quarter.