Below are some common questions asked about our program. If you have a question that is not addressed here, please contact us us at physics@cortland.edu and we'll get back to you shortly.
- Where can I learn more about your physics degrees and classes? We have four majors in the Physics Department. Two of these are technical programs: PHY and PEN. The other two are adolescence education majors for aspiring high school and/or middle school teachers. Our APH program leads to a single-certification in Physics, and our APM program leads to dual-certification in Physics and Mathematics. We have a list of classes (also linked under our Academics page) and some further description of our curriculum in our Course snapshots page.
- How will I know which classes to take? You will be assigned to a faculty member in the Physics Department who will serve as your academic advisor. We meet with each student every semester to track progress, discuss course options, and generally plan for your future, including discussing things like research internships. You can also get a sense of requirements and a sample course-sequence plan on the program info page for each of our majors: PHY, PEN, APH, and APM.
- I've heard that college physics courses can be really difficult. What can I do to make it easier? Physics is definitely a subject that builds on itself. Therefore, it is incredibly important that you get a strong foundation in the introductory physics and calculus courses. Our advice is to put in a big effort your first year, visit your professors in office hours (it makes a big difference), and form study groups with your peers. You also need to recognize that struggle is central to education, perhaps especially for a discipline like physics. All of your teachers and all former students have struggled. Your perseverance is perhaps the single greatest character trait that will bring you success in any future career.
- I took AP Physics in high school. Can I and should I get credit for this? Whether or not we grant credit depends on your score, and we ask to have a conversation with you to discuss the pros and cons. Our advice is to generally caution students **against** bringing in AP credit for physics or calculus classes. Look at it this way: if you don't take the AP credit, you will likely have an easy A in our intro physics course (PHY 201). There are also two important reasons why you should take our PHY 201 course. First, and perhaps most importantly, this is the course where you will make connections with your fellow physics majors. Your peers will be your largest support network, so it is important to build those connections early. Second, if our classes are different from your high school AP course (college courses are often a significant step up from high school courses, even AP courses), then you might be missing out on important content.
- How do I transfer in credit from another institution? You will need to work with our Advisement and Transition Office, who will require that you send transcripts.
- As a PEN major, am I guaranteed to be admitted to an engineering program at another university? You have to apply to and be admitted to an engineering program, just like any other student. Admission requirements vary from school to school. Some institutions, like SUNY Stony Brook, have relatively high GPA requirements. You will want to plan ahead and keep this in mind as you study here.