Frequently Asked Questions
Physics Subjects and Credit
> Does the Physics Department accept AP credit?
> Does the Physics Department grant credit for the
International Baccalaureate or G.C.E. "A" Level Exams?
> How can I receive Physics transfer credit?
> When are the Advanced Standing/Validation Exams
offered?
> What topics are covered on the 8.01 and 8.02
Advanced Standing Exams?
> Do I have to pass 8.01 before I take 8.02?
> I registered for 8.012 or 8.01L but did not get
in because of the lottery. What do I do now?
> If I do not get into 8.012 or 8.01L because
of the lottery, am I guaranteed a slot in the next offering?
> Does class year (i.e., Sophomore, Junior, Senior)
carry any weight in the 8.012 lottery?
> Does class year (i.e., Sophomore, Junior, Senior)
carry any weight in the 8.01L lottery?
> Can I switch between the various versions of
8.01 or 8.02?
> How can I get a UROP?
> Does the department offer any summer courses?
Physics Majors
> What is the difference between the VIII-Focused option and the VIII-Flexible option?
> How is my Physics Academic Advisor assigned?
> Who should I contact regarding a double major
in Physics?
> What is the Cambridge/MIT Institute Exchange
program?
> How is the Communication Intensive requirement
fulfilled in Physics?
> When is my Senior Thesis Due?
> What do I need to do when I submit my Senior
Thesis?
Physics Minors
> Who should I contact regarding a Physics Minor?
> Who should I contact regarding an Astronomy
Minor?
Physics Subjects and Credit
Does the Physics Department accept AP credit?
For a score of 5 on both parts of the Physics C test, credit will
be given for 12 units of subject 8.01, Physics I. You may begin
immediately with subject 8.02 or 8.022 (Physics II). If you elect
to take and pass 8.012 (advanced version of 8.01), the 12 units
of 8.01 credit earned for the Physics C test convert to 6 general
elective units. No credit will be given for the Physics B test.
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Does the Physics Department grant credit for
the International Baccalaureate or G.C.E. "A" Level Exams?
International Baccalaureate Exams
Entering students who have taken the G.C.E. "A" level
examinations in the British System, the French or International
Baccalaureate (higher level) examinations, the German Abitur, or
similar tests may submit copies of the syllabi and an official report
of the grades earned to the Undergraduate Admissions Office for
evaluation for credit. For a score of a 7, credit will be given
for 12 units of subject 8.01, Physics I.
G.C.E. "A" Level Credit
MIT recognizes the G.C.E. "A" Level exams. For a grade
of an "A," credit will be given for 12 units of subject
8.01, Physics I. An official report of the grades earned must be
submitted to the Undergraduate Admissions Office for evaluation
of credit. Please note that policy can change from year to year.
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How can I receive Physics transfer credit?
Requests for all other Physics credit can be submitted to the Transfer
Credit Officer. Please review the Physics Department's Transfer
Credit Policy prior to submission.
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When are the Advanced Standing/Validation
Exams offered?
The Physics Advanced Standing/Validation Exams are offered twice
each year during the week prior to the start of each semester. Please
visit our information page for the next dates
of these exams.
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What topics are covered on the 8.01 and
8.02 Advanced Standing Exams?
Please reference our Advanced Standing information
page.
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Do I have to pass 8.01 before I take 8.02?
It is departmental policy that students must receive passing credit
for 8.01 before registering for any version of 8.02. Exceptions
to this policy will only be considered when all of the following
criteria are met:
- The student's 8.01 (any version) grade was *D*, not *F*
- The student is not on "CAP Warning"
- The student has completed 18.02 (any version) or 18.03 in the
Mathematics sequence, before starting on 8.02.
- The petition has the approval of the student's Academic Advisor
Students who meet this criteria and wish to register for 8.02 should
visit the Academic Administrator in Academic Programs,
4-315.
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I registered for 8.012 or 8.01L but did not
get in because of the lottery. What do I do now?
As openings occur, students from the wait list will be contacted
via EMAIL.
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If I do not get into 8.012 or 8.01L because
of the lottery, am I guaranteed a slot in the next offering?
Each lottery for 8.01L is independent. Failure to be enrolled
one term due to the lottery does NOT guarantee enrollment in a future
term.
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Does class year (i.e., Sophomore, Junior,
Senior) carry any weight in the 8.012 lottery?
For Fall 2009 enrollment, sophomores, juniors, or seniors who pre-register for 8.012 are guaranteed enrollment. The lottery process for first year students will be based on the results of the math diagnostic exam which is offered during Orientation.
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Does class year (i.e., Sophomore, Junior,
Senior) carry any weight in the 8.01L lottery?
The lottery process for the 8.01L lottery is completely random.
Thus, class year does not have any positive or negative weight.
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Can I switch between the various versions
of 8.01 or 8.02?
Students can switch between 8.01, and 8.012 or 8.02 and 8.022
within the guidelines of the institute's published Add Date each
term. Students are unable to switch after Add Date.
Students desiring to switch into 8.01L can add their name
to the appropriate wait list by visiting Academic Programs,
4-315 beginning at 10:00 AM on the first day of class.
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How can I get a UROP?
Please reference the UROP website
for information about obtaining a Physics UROP.
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Does the department offer any summer courses?
The Department of Physics does not offer summer courses beyond those
associated with research and UROP.
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Physics Majors
What is the difference between "VIII-Focused Option " and "VIII-Flexible Option"?
The Course VIII-Focused Option is considered the traditional Physics track. Many students who choose this option pursue graduate school, teaching and/or research beyond MIT. The VIII-Flexible Option is intended for students who desire to have Physics as a foundation, but may ultimately be interested in a career path outside of Physics (i.e., law, business, etc.). Degree requirements for all three degrees can be found on our Physics Degree Requirements webpage.
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How is my Physics Academic Advisor assigned?
The Undergraduate Coordinator, a Physics faculty member, matches
Physics majors to their academic advisor. After the department is
notified about a new major, the Undergraduate Coordinator will typically
send an e-mail asking if there is any specific area of interest
in Physics. A match will attempt to be made if an interest is submitted.
The Department uses specific faculty members for each class. In
most cases, Physics majors retain their advisors throughout their
studies in Physics.
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Who should I contact regarding a double
major in Physics?
Students interested in a double major which includes Physics can
contact the Academic
Administrator.
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What is the Cambridge/MIT Institute exchange
program?
The Cambridge/MIT Institute offers an undergraduate exchange program
in the Junior Year. Physics students from MIT are eligible to study
at Cambridge University in England. General information about the
program can be found at the CME website.
Information regarding how study at Cambridge relates to Physics
degree programs can be found on the Physics
CME information webpage.
CMI also sponsors
a summer research exchange program for interested students.
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How is the Communication Requirement fulfilled
in Physics?
Course VIII-Focused Option students fulfill the departmental portion
of the Communication Requirement in 8.13 Junior Lab and 8.06 Quantum
Physics III.
We recommend that VIII-Flexible Option students satisfy the departmental portion of the Communications Requirement by taking 8.13 Junior Lab and 8.225J Einstein, Oppenheimer, Feynman: Physics in the 20th Century or 8.287J Observational Techniques of Optical Astronomy. The department may accept substitutions for either or both of these subjects by CI-M subjects from other departments if they form a natural part of the student's individual program. The Associate Department Head for Education must approve any substitutions.
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When is my Senior Thesis Due?
Please refer to the Institute's Academic Calendar for the official
Thesis Submission Date. Also, please be aware that Thesis Proposal
Forms are due early in each semester. Specific information can be
found on the Senior Thesis
webpage.
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What do I need to do when I submit my Senior
Thesis?
Please visit the Senior Thesis
webpage for a description of senior thesis submission guidelines.
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Physics Minors
Who should I contact regarding a Physics
Minor?
Dr. Sean Robinson is the Physics
Minor coordinator. Please visit the Physics
Minors webpage for specific requirements.
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Who should I contact regarding an Astronomy
Minor?
Prof. James Elliot is the Astronomy
Minor coordinator. Please visit the Physics
Minors webpage for specific requirements.
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