Student Resources
Below are documents and information that are designed to provide answers to frequently asked questions and help students learn more about resources available on campus.
Information about academic advising, including advising in the Department of Physics, enrolling in a new major/minor, the honors program, research distinction, and frequently asked questions can be found on the Academic Advising Guide.
Students who will benefit from personal counseling are encouraged to schedule an appointment with OSU Counseling Services or take advantage of other resources offered by the office. Some particularly helpful resources include:
- Helpful Ideas for Transitioning/Adjusting to College
- Smartphone Apps for Mental Health
- Emotional Fitness Blog
- Self Help Guide provided by OSU Counseling Services
- Counseling Groups provided by OSU Counseling Services
If you need a refresher on how to use Schedule Planner to schedule classes, please read the How to Schedule Classes Guide.
Check out the Scheduling Difficulties and Questions Guide if you have questions about class scheduling or run in to any problems. This guide explains scheduling errors you might see, how to deal with full and waitlisted courses, registration locks, enrollment appointments, transfer credit, and more.
Students who encounter closed classes should waitlist a course. Directions for waitlisting a course and answers to frequently asked questions can be found on the Waitlisting Courses Guide.
Students can request Grade Forgiveness electronically through the Registrar's Grade Forgiveness Request page. Information about Grade Forgiveness and answers frequently asked questions can be found on the Grade Forgiveness Guide.
Sometimes a student will ask if they can remove a grade from their transcript or avoid receiving a grade in a course. In most cases, we cannot remove a final grade after it's been posted to a student's transcript but you can read more about repeating courses with or without grade forgiveness and dropping or withdrawing courses on the Withdrawing from and Repeating Courses Guide.
Want to improve your grades? If so, check out the below resources and tips for assistance.
The Dennis Learning Center:
- Workshops to help students with note-taking, procrastination, writing papers, test taking, creating study groups, effective studying and more.
- Learning Center Courses, like ESEPSY 1259 - Learning & Motivation Stategies for Success in College, are excellent courses for students at any level.
- Academic Coaching is a one-on-one session with a specialist who can talk to you about your difficulties and help you achieve your academic goals.
Free tutoring is available in the Department of Mathematics, Department of Physics, Department of Chemistry, the Residency Halls, the Younkin Succes Center, and the OSU Writing Center.
Students interested in participating in undergraduate physics research, please visit our undergraduate research page or read the Undergraduate Research Guide. Additionally, students are encouraged to take advantage of the resources offered by the OSU Undergraduate Research Office, including advice for presenting your research, writing a poster, and finding funding.
Students interested in internships are encouraged to register with Career Services.
Students interested in physics graduate school are encouraged to take advantage of the following resources:
- Physics Graduate School Guide
- Advice provided by the OSU Physics Graduate Student Council (PGSC)
- Rachel's Complete Guide to Graduate School Applications, written by Rachel White, a 2026 alumnus.
- Resources for writing a personal statement provided by the OSU Writing Center
- Additional guidance can come from the physics faculty advisor for Physics and Engineering Physics majors, Dr. Annika Peter. If applicable, students are also encouraged to seek guidance from a physics professor they are doing research with.
If you are applying to a physics graduate program that requires completion of the Physics GRE, you can read about the Physics GRE on the Physics GRE Prep webpage.
Students interested in graduate school in other fields, including education, engineering, business, astronomy, and math, are encouraged to seek guidance from a professor in those fields.
Information about career opportunities, advice for job-hunting, and dates of OSU career fairs can be found on the Careers in Physics webpage.
Physics and Engineering Physics majors are encouraged to participate in the following events hosted by the Department of Physics.
- Physics Colloquia is an opportunity to hear about research being done by scientists from industry and other universities. The physics colloquium takes place 3:45-4:45pm on Tuesdays in room 1080 Physics Research Building throughout autumn and spring semesters. Each week focuses on a new speaker and research topic. Refreshments are served prior to the talk at 3:30pm. More information on the physics colloquium page.
- Smith Lecture takes place once a year and is a public talk hosted by the Department of Physics. Lecturers are well-know scientists and are often Nobel Laureates.
- Physics Winter Party takes place during the beginning of spring semester and is open to students, faculty, and staff in the Department of Physics. The Winter Party features free food, live music, and fun decorations. The date for the 2026 winter party is February 6, 2026.
- Physics Spring Picnic is held at the end of spring semester as a way to celebrate the end of the academic year. The picnic is open to everyone in the Department of Physics. Check your email in April for more information. The date for the 2026 Spring Picnic is TBA.
A Physics Calendar is available to help undergraduate Physics and Engineering Physics majors keep track of physics events, registration deadlines, career fairs, workshops, and other relevant events on campus. Photos from physics events can be found on the OSU Physics Flickr page.
The Physics Undergraduate Studies Office sends monthly newsletters that contain information that is relevant to physics and engineering physics majors, including upcoming events, add/drop deadlines, important Physics news, and course advertisements. Copies of recent newsletters are below.
August 2025 newsletter
September 2025 newsletter
October 2025 newsletter
November 2025 newsletter
December 2025 newsletter
February 2026 newsletter
March 2026 newsletter
April 2026 newsletter
May 2026 newsletter
Students who are interested in taking classes over the summer can find information and answers to frequently asked questions in the 2026 Summer Term Information document.
Department of Physics Course Petition Form - can be used to request course prerequisite waivers. Requests are reviewed by the Physics Undergraduate Studies Office in consultation with course instructors.
Physics Conference Travel Request Form - undergraduate physics and engineering physics majors who are presenting at a conference can request department funding assistance. Click the link for more details and to submit your request.