Physics Courses and Procedures
Q: What are the physics controlled access courses and how do I schedule them?
A: The following courses are controlled access, which means students are unable to schedule these courses themselves: Physics 3700 (Data Analysis Lab), Physics 4700 (Electronics Lab), Physics 5700/5710 (Senior Lab). In order to take one of these classes, you will need to email Lindsey Thaler 6-8 months prior to when you want to take each class. She will put your name on a list and once scheduling windows open for that specific term, she will schedule it for you. Keep in mind that putting your name on a list for a certain term does not guarantee you will get in. Lindsey gives priority to seniors, then juniors, then sophomores, etc. From there, she schedules based on who requested the course first. If she cannot get you in for the term you requested, then you will be enrolled in the class the following term. Additional information can be found on the Controlled Access Course Information Page.
Q: How can I see a list of upcoming events and deadlines for physics students?
A: The undergraduate studies office has created a Google Calendar that shows events and deadlines that physics and engineering physics majors should be aware of. This includes physics social events, registration deadlines, holidays, physics colloquiums, career fairs, and more. Students in the program also have access to the Physics Carmen page which also lists events and deadlines.
Q: Who is the physics advisor?
A: Lindsey Thaler is the academic advisor and Dr. Robert Perry is the faculty advisor for all Physics and Engineering Physics majors and Physics minors. For scheduling questions regarding 2000 level and above physics courses, contact Lindsey Thaler. For scheduling questions regarding Physics 1250, 1251, 1200, or 1201, please visit room 1036 Smith Labs or call 614-292-6086. Additional information is available on the physics advising webpage.
Q: I am a prospective student and I am interested in speaking with someone in the Department of Physics about the undergraduate physics program. How do I go about scheduling an appointment?
A: Thanks for your interest in OSU Physics! To schedule a meeting, head over to the Information for New Students page and fill out an online visit request form. Someone from the department will then get in touch with you to arrange a meeting.
Q: What career opportunities exist with a degree in physics or engineering physics?
A: Good question! Someone with a bachelors degree in physics or engineering physics can pursue a technical career at a research laboratory, engineering company, or air force base. Graduates can also pursue non-technical careers in law, business, education, or medicine. Please visit our physics career page for additional information.
Adding/Dropping Classes
Q: I tried to enroll in a class via my Student Center, but I recieved an error message that my scheduling appointment is not open. What should I do?
A: If the term in question has not yet begun, then this error message means that you're trying to schedule your classes too early and you'll need to wait until after your scheduilng appointment begins. Your scheduling appointment can be found by clicking the "details" link in the blue Enrollment Information box on the right-hand side of your Student Center. If you still encounter problems after your scheduling window begins, contact an academic advisor for assistance.
If you're trying to enroll in a class after the first Friday of the term, then it's too late to enroll via your Student Center. To enroll in a class after the second Friday of the term, you'll need to work with both the instructor of the coures and your academic advisor.
Q: I tried to drop a class via my Student Center, but I recieved an error message that my scheduling appointment is not open. What should I do?
A: If you recieved an error message while trying to drop a class, it's most likely after the fourth Friday of the term. After the fourth Friday of the term, only an academic advisor can drop a class from a student's schedule. Make sure to contact your advisor before the 10th Friday deadline to drop a class.
Q: How do I find a list of GE courses, a list of online courses, or a list of classes offered during a specific term (i.e. Session 2)?
A: Go to www.buckeyelink.osu.edu and click on the "Schedule of Classes" link. From there, make sure the term and campus are correctly listed and then click on the "Additional Search Criteria" link. You can use the drop-down boxes to select the specific type of course you're looking for. Online courses are called "distance learning".
Transcripts and Transfer Credit
Q: I took a class at a different university over the summer and I'd like to have that credit posted to my OSU record. Who do I send my transcript to?
A: To get this credit posted to your OSU record, please request that your transcript be sent to:
The Ohio State University
Undergraduate Admissions
281 West Lane Avenue
Columbus, OH 43210-1132
Undergraduate Admissions will post the credit to your OSU record upon recieving your transcript. Please do not send your transcript to an academic advisor because they do not have the authority to do anything with it. Your academic advisor can, however, talk to you about how this transfer credit applies to your major or GE requirements.
Q: I have physics transfer credit that needs evaluated. Who should I speak to about this?
A: Please contact Dr. Mike Ziegler, the physics transfer credit evaluator. Additional information about this can be found on the Physics Transfer Credit page.
Q: If I drop a class, is it okay if it puts me below full time status?
A: It depends on your financial aid package. Some scholarships and grants require students to be full time (12 credit hours or more) in order to receive aid. Other scholarships require that a student is full time on average. Your health insurance may also require you to be a full time student. Academic advisors do not have access to financial aid records, so in order to check if dropping below 12 credit hours will affect you, please contact the Student Services Center.
Q: How do I obtain an unofficial transcript?
A: An unofficial transcript is called an Advising Report. To obtain a copy of your advising report, go to Buckeye Link, sign in to your "Student Center" and click on the "Generate Advising Report" link. You can save your advising report as a .pdf file and then email or print it.
Q: How do I order an official transcript?
A: Official transcripts can only be ordered through the Office of the University Registrar. Please note that academic advisors do not have access to official transcripts.