‘Butterfly Wings on Every Eyelid’ - L’Oreal

Battery-powered Car

MRI of Brain Cancer

Physics explains how the universe works

Solar Power

‘Butterfly Wings on Every Eyelid’ - L’Oreal

Battery-powered Car

MRI of Brain Cancer

Solar Power

ShouId I major in physics?If so, what do I do next?

v Every one of you has the capability to graduate with a bachelor of science in physics.v Every one of you is welcome, regardless of other identities you hold in addition to that of

physics student.v Every one of you may access campus resources to smooth your path through UW and help

you transition to life beyond UW.

Prof. Marjorie Olmsteadufaphys@uw.edu

Assoc Chair for UndergraduatesUndergraduate Faculty Advisor

20%

37%

1%4%

29%

9%

Chart TitleNo.

Yes, but I never applied to engineering. I decided I likedphysics better.Yes, I was a direct admit to engineering, but switched to (ordouble majored in) physics after arriving at UWYes, I was accepted into engineering after arriving at UW andlater switched to (or double majored in) physics.Yes, but I was not accepted into the engineering major of mychoice.Yes. I applied multiple times to engineering, but was notaccepted.

Did you ever seriously consider majoring in engineering?

Cohort: Physics majors who applied to graduate in 2017-18

No

Yes, I applied multiple times to engineering but did not get in.Since 2011:

49% PreSci37% PreEngr12% Other¯

Yes, I was accepted by engineering, but switched to (or double majored in) physics

Yes, but I was not accepted into the engineering major of my choice

Yes, but I never applied to engineering -- I decided I liked physics better (or I got in and then switched).

vReasons that tend not to work out well ...ØBecause you decided to do so in middle schoolØBecause engineering turned you downØBecause mom and dad said to

vGOOD reasonsØBecause you REALLY want to WHY the world worksØBecause the list of courses you REALLY want to take at

UW gets you a physics degree (or at least close to one)ØBecause you checked out a number of other options, and

you like physics the best

UW offers 606 degree options across 314 programs

http://www.bls.gov

Annual Salary Distribution2016 – Bureau of Labor Statistics

200150100500Annual Income (k$)

Petroleum EngrLawyer

PhysicistComp Hardware

AstronomerEconomist

Mat'l SciChem EngrElect EngrMat'l Engr

Database AdminPhysics Prof

Mech EngrBiochem/phys

ProgrammerMedical Sci

CS ProfChemist

Environ. SciAccountant

Web DeveloperEE Tech

Conservation SciHS Teacher

LibrarianComputer Support

ParalegalChem Tech

Fraction of Incomes10 25 50 75 90

Bureau of Labor Statistics May 2016

UW Physics 2016-17 Grads[On Grad Application (N=169)]

National Data 2013-14 Grads(aip.org/statistics)

Unemployed5%

Other Grad22%

Phys Grad32%

Work41%

National 2013-14

Phys Grad School

14%

Other School

14%

Work or School

30%

Work35%

Teach1%

Military6%

Life Science7%

CS/Math17%

Physical Sci26%

Engr13%

S&E Manager

7%

Teach3%

Technician7%

Other20%

MS (33,000)

Highest DegreeMS Physics

NSF Survey of College Graduates 2013 https://ncsesdata.nsf.gov/us-workforce/2013/index.html Tables 3.2, 3.3, 3.4

Life Science

1%CS/Math

13%

Physical Sci14%

Engr14%

S&E Manager

8%Teach

3%

Technician9%

Other38%

BS (78,000)

Highest DegreeBS Physics

Life Science

6%

CS/Math8%

Physical Sci53%Engr

11%

S&E Manager

3%

Teach2%

Technician3%

Other14%

PhD (64,000)

Highest DegreePhD Physics

RESEARCH EXPERIENCE GETS YOU ALL OF THESE SKILLS!!

Field of EmploymentOne year post-BS

https://www.spsnational.org/career-resources

v Washington Employers that recently hired new physics bachelor recipientshttps://www.aip.org/statistics/washington

Source: AIP Statistical Reasearch Center, Initial Employment Surveys, classes 2012 thru 2016.

•Pellego•Physio-Control Inc•Procure Treatment Centers•Radiant Vision Systems•Raisbeck Engineering•Red Head Steering Gears•Rypyl•Silicon Mechanics•TecAce Software Ltd.•TigerStop•U. S. Army Corps of Engineers•United States Navy•University of Washington•Visiongate, Inc.•X2 Biosystems

•5celsius•AeroTEC•ALS Global•Amazon•Applied Motion Systems•Areva•Battelle•Boeing•Bombsheller•Chipton Ross•Comfort Institute•David Evans and Associates Inc.•Electroimpact, Inc.•Exotic Metals Forming Co.•Flexasoft

•Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center•Gravity Jack, Inc.•HopeSource•HP Inc.•Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation•Jacobs•L&S Engineering Associates, Inc.•Lockheed Martin•Logos Bible Software•Microsoft•Microvision•Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA)•Northwest Medical Physics Center•Ozone International•Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

200 200

180 180

160 160

140 140

120 120

100 100

80 80

60 60

40 40

20 20

0 0

Num

ber o

f Phy

sics

Bach

elor

s

202020152010200520001995199019851980Year

UW MIT UCB Cornell* UTA UCSB Rutgers Harvard* U Col UIUC UCLA UMd

*Physics + Applied Physics

US Total/100

Data from AIP Statistics www.aip.org/statistics/undergraduate/enrollmentsPh

ysic

s BS

Deg

rees

Year

vDeeper understanding of a subject

vBetter/different job prospects

vParticipate in the excitement of the intellectual frontier

vDON�T

ØAssume automatic faculty position

ØDrift into graduate school

ØJust go to get a student visa

You are here

Grad School GOALS

vHow long?Ø5 – 7 yr to PhD; 2 yr to M.S.

vCost?ØYou get paid (and your tuition does, too)

vRequirements?ØComprehensive track PLUS more electivesØPhysics GPA >~3.5

• UW Physics PhD Admits: average = 3.85; none below 3.4Ø3 Excellent letters of recommendationØResearch experience

Most Common Activities:• solving complex problems• managing projects• writing for a technical audience

https://www.spsnational.org/career-resources https://www.aip.org/career-resources

v Goals and objectives: Why do you want to major in physics (or anything else)?

v Past academic performance: What has gone well for you? What has not? What is your assessment of what makes a difference? Were you hampered by inadequate high school preparation? Did you have significant non-academic time commitments? How can you remedy this?

v Successes not on your transcript: What leadership, family, volunteer, or work accomplishments are you proud of? What skills can be transferred to physics?

v Support network: What academic and social resources will you use to support your future success in the physics major?

All of you should think about these items. If you declare a physics major by petition, we make you write about them.

v ComprehensiveØGraduate school in physics or astronomyØ Full range of physics and math

v AppliedØ Technical job at B.S. level or M.S. in engineeringØMore flexibility in electives

v TeachingØCommunicate science to HS or general audienceØPhysics by Inquiry sequence

v BiologicalØMedical school or grad school in biophysicsØ 7 quarters of biology and chemistry in addition to physics core

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Old (N=8)Comp (N=59)

Appl (n=53)Bio (N=14)

Teach (N=3)Everyone (N=137)

2016: 1.19 ± 0.91How satisfied are you with your choice of physics as a major?

(-2 = very dissatisfied, +2 = very satisfied)

210-1-2

Please grade the Physics Dept. on the following items.

2017: 1.25 ± 0.85

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Welcoming AtmosphereInstructors' Concern for Students

Quality of InstructionContent and Quality of the overall program

Poor Fair Good Very Good Excellent

2018: 1.25 ± 0.85

121

122

123

124

125

126

Math

226

228

231

294

321 322 323

225

324 325

328

331 335

329

409

421

422

423

429

431

432

433

434

494

495

496

485

486

487

12 phys cr> 200

224

M307/A351M308/A352M309/A353M324/A401

407 408

227

Required ALL Req for A

Elective

Req for B, C, T

Math menu

30 phys cr

334

Req for C&T Req for BReq for T

A301

co

co

co M†

†EitherPhys 227 or Both M307/A351and M308/A352

rec

M*

* Any 2 from Math Menu+228

rec

rec

Phys GPA > 3.3

499

MM: Bio = 1 + 228Comp, Teach = 2 + 228Appl = 3 from 228 + MM

Cohort = 331 physics grads 2011-2015 with 227 since 2009

Cohort = 423 Physics B.S. 2011-201524000 UW Grads 2011-2015

Physics majors are more likely to stay extra year than overall UW

12

8

4

0

Academic Years at UW

0.20

0.15

0.10

0.05

0.00

Thou

sand

s of

Bac

helo

rs G

radu

ates

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

All UW Bachelors High School Transfer

Physics Bachelors High School Transfer

20

15

10

5

0

% o

f Gra

ds

00.

25 0.5

0.75 1

1.25 1.

51.

75 22.

25 2.5

2.75 3

3.25 3.

53.

75 44.

25 4.5

4.75 5 >5

Time after UW Arrival (Years)

40

30

20

10

0

% o

f Gra

ds Time to Graduation

Time to Physics 227

High School Community College Running Start 4 Yr Transfer

vStaff AdvisorsØMargot Nims

• All undergraduate issues

ØCatherine Provost• All graduate issues• Grad school-related UG issues

vFaculty AdvisorØProf. Marjorie Olmstead

• advice from a faculty member• petition admission to major• waivers and substitutions; transfer credit equivalency

vProgram AssistantØPaula Newcomer

vPhysics Student Services ResourcesvDeclaring a Major

ØTranscript-based admissionØPetition-based admission

vChoosing a Degree OptionØApplied, Comprehensive, Teaching, Biological

vDegree requirements

Details are on the department website: https://phys.washington.edu/

Prof. Marjorie Olmstead

ufaphys@uw.eduPAT C141

To find these slides (in a day or two) and info about the physics major, go to

www.phys.washington.edu & click on “UNDERGRADUATE”, then Forms and Presentations.

Spring Quarter Office HoursSign up at phys-calendar.phys.Washington.edu

Tues: 2:30 pm – 4:00 pm

Wed: 12:30 pm – 2:00 pm

Thu: 3:00 pm – 4:30 pm

Fri drop-in: 11:00 am – 12:30 pm