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Do I have to take General Physics lab and
lecture in the same term?
For General Physics and General Physics with Calculus, the
lab is a corequisite for the lecture, which means that yes, you do need
to take them concurrently.
The ONLY (that means none other) exception
will be made if you are retaking only the lecture or
the lab. If this is the case, you will need to go to 128 Science
Building 2 to obtain a departmental stamp to override the corequisite
requirement. You will need to show proof of a passing grade in the
course that you do not need to take (lecture or lab). If the grade
appears on your PSU transcript we can look it up for you to verify the
passing grade. If the class was taken elsewhere and does not yet appear
on your PSU transcript, you must have the transfer
advisor sign your Special Registration Form before it can be
stamped.
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The class I need to register for is
full--what do I do?
Unfortunately this is a frequent problem, especially with
general physics and the labs because space is limited by classroom and
instructor availability. While we try to avoid having problems like
this when planning the schedule, rising enrollment and other factors
cause classes to fill more quickly than anticipated.
If your first choice section is full, try to register for
another section. Registration is on a first-come first-served basis and
it does not always work out to have your first choice. If there are no
other sections that will work, go to class on the first day and see if
any spots have become available. You may also want to talk with your
advisor to discuss other alternatives.
Please be patient. We try to get everyone registered as soon
as possible, but it can take time to make the arrangements, especially
in the first week of a term.
For upper-level courses, check with the professor to see if
it is possible to open another seat in the class.
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Where do I go with registration problems?
The Physics Office is located in Science Building II, Room
128, or you can call 503-725-3812. The department secretary can help
with certain registration problems and can also provide by-arrangement
and special registration forms as well as the department override stamp.
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Which classes are being offered next term?
We try to give as much notice as possible for course
projections to allow students time to plan their programs. Tentative
schedules are posted on the Course
Schedules page.
Remember, these are tentative schedules and are subject to change at
any time.
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Who is my advisor?
The advisor list can be found on the Advisors page. Please contact the
advisor directly to set up an appointment.
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How do I contact my professor?
Faculty websites and contact information can be found on the Faculty page. If you are on campus, this
information is also posted in the Directory case outside of 128 Science
Building 2.
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Who is my TA and how do I contact them?
Teaching Assistant assignments can be found on the TA Schedules page and contact information
is on the Graduate Students page.
This page also provides pictures of all graduate students (including
TAs) in case you've forgotten the name.
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Where can I get a syllabus from a past or
current course?
Some syllabi are located as .pdf attachments on the Course Descriptions
and Syllabi page. We only maintain
the most recent syllabi for each class. You may also contact physics@pdx.edu or the instructor.
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What is credit by exam and how can I use
it?
Credit by Examination allows a student to pass a course only
by taking the exams for the course. In addition to the university
requirements listed in the University
Bulletin on p. 27, or by calling 503-725-3511, the department has
the following restrictions:
- Credit by Examination can
only be used for the General Physics Sequences (PH 201/202/203;
211/212/213; 221/222/223)
- All arrangements must be
made with the instructor prior to the beginning of the class.
- The final exam must be
taken with the class (therefore, this can only be done when the class
is offered).
- If the exam is
comprehensive, the student has the grade option of pass/no pass or
graded. If the exam only covers a portion of the coursework, the only
option is pass/no pass.
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How do I apply to the
graduate/undergraduate program?
Undergraduates apply through the Office of Admissions. Paper
applications and a department brochure can be requested from physics@pdx.edu or by calling
503-725-3812. Information about undergraduate programs in physics can
be found on the Undergraduate Programs
page.
Graduates must apply to both the university
and to the department. Application materials and information about
graduate programs in physics can be found on the Graduate Programs page. If you are unable to
access the materials online, they may be requested from physics@pdx.edu or by calling
503-725-3812.
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Which math course should I start
in?
The Math Department
has put together a page devoted to which math course
you should start in.
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Are tutors available in the department?
The department does not provide tutoring services, but the Instruction and Academic Support Center
(IASC) has physics tutors available for registered PSU students in
lower-level courses. This is a free service provided by the university.
Additionally, there are frequently fliers posted throughout
the science buildings for physics tutors. These are generally current
students or recent graduates who offer their services for a charge.
While the department does not endorse any of these tutors, this is an
option if you are looking for outside help in a physics course.
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Who can I contact with general physics
questions?
If you have a physics question and are looking for field
experts to answer it, you may try to contact the department for help by
calling 503-725-3812. However, our faculty are often in class or
working in labs and therefore can be very difficult to reach. To help
you find your answer quickly, we are happy to provide various Physics Links for resources on the World Wide
Web. You may also want to try your local library.
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Where is the PSU Physics Department?
The Physics Department is located at 1719 SW 10th Ave. in
Portland, Oregon. The Department office is located in 128 Science
Building 2. Most faculty offices are also located in the Science
Buildings.
Directions and Map
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Who specializes in...?
Descriptions of faculty interests and research can be found
on the Faculty page.
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