Professor
T. (Venky) Venkatesan (third from right) with his students
in a laboratory of the Center for Superconductivity Research
Photograph:
John E. Consoli
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Departmental
Honors in Physics
The Honors Program in physics has been established to recognize and
encourage independent, create scholarship in physics by providing
superior undergraduate physics majors opportunity for advanced, intensive
study. When they successfully complete this program, they will
receive a B.S. degree in physics with Honors or with High
Honors. This citation will appear on their diploma.
Those interested in departmental honors should begin early by taking
Honors versions of the regular freshman and sophomore courses (PHYS
171H, 272H, 273H). Honors students are encouraged to engage
in independent study; often this is done as part of the Undergraduate
Research Opportunities Program. Because one major advantage
of a large research oriented department is the accessibility of
current research to students, Honors students are encouraged to
become involved in this important part of undergraduate education.
Direct faculty-student collaboration is research is emphasized.
Undergraduate Research Opportunities
in Physics
The purpose of the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program is
to encourage student participation in the diverse research activities
of the Department and nearby facilities. Based n the premise
that getting an early start in scientific research gives one a significant
advantage, this program provides the opportunity for undergraduate
majors to collaborate with a faculty member and his or her research
group. In some instances, these research experiences have helped
students land jobs after graduation, and in other cases it has launched
research careers. Regardless of how closely the research is
related to their eventual careers, most student participants have
found this experience to be of great value to them. (See examples
in the "Physics is Interesting and Challenging"
section in this brochure)
Undergraduate physics majors may begin this program in their sophomore
year if they have an overall minimum grade point average of 3.0,
and a 3.3 average in their physics and mathematics courses.
As soon as they decide upon a project and find a faculty sponsor,
they and their faculty sponsor negotiate the credit to be earned
and outline the work to be done. A physics faculty adviser
is available to help them find a project and sponsor.
During the fall and spring semesters, students can earn academic
credit for research efforts at the approximate rate of one credit
for four hours of work per week. During their first few semesters,
they may do routine tasks in order to gain experience. By
their junior or senior year, they should have the knowledge and
experience to undertake more challenging projects.
On some projects, students may be paid for their work, an arrangement
which may continue through the summers and breaks.
If they work in the same research group for four or more semesters,
they are likely to make significant scientific contributions by
the time they graduate. They may help write a scientific paper,
or even write one entirely on their own; they may also be given
an opportunity to present such a paper at a professional conference.
The
Society of Physics Students (SPS)
The Department of Physics includes an active chapter of SPS, the Society
of Physics Students. SPS not only supplies an atmosphere that
enriches the academic environment of the Department, but also functions
as a social center, providing a wide range of activities. The
hub of its activity is the third floor lounge in the Physics Building,
where students discuss class assignments, work on homework problems,
and hold regular SPS meetings. A small college atmosphere is
thus achieved within the larger University of Maryland campus community.
SPS members organize trips to area observatories and government research
laboratories; informal discussion groups with faculty members on research;
parties, lunches, movies, ski trips, department picnics, and other
fun activities.
SPS has an e-mail group (all students have access to e-mail) which
facilitates communication, and runs a World Wide Web site at http://www.physics.umd.edu/sps.
University
Honors Program
The University Honors Program, ranked as one of the top nine honors
programs in the nation, is the long established program for the most
talented students on campus in their first two years. It offers
the opportunity to become part of a close knit community of faculty
and intellectually gifted undergraduates committed to acquiring a
broad and balanced education.
Anne Arundel Hall, the Honors Living and Learning Center, is the
"home" of the Honors Program, housing 100 students; providing offices
for Honors staff and advisors; and hosting a scholar-in-residence,
a computer laboratory, an art gallery, the Portz library, seminar
rooms, study facilities, and lounges. Other Honors students
live and study together in Queen Anne's Hall and on designated "Honors
floors" in several of the residence halls. A year long calendar
of lectures, forums, performances, and other events provides opportunities
for Honors students to develop strong ties in this vibrant intellectual
community. All Honors students, whether or not they live in
Anne Arundel, are encouraged to use the facilities and programs
available there. For further information about the University
Honors Program, call 301-405-6771, or see their Web page at http://www.inform.umd.edu/EdRes/Colleges/HONR/.
Gemstone Program
Gemstone is a ground breaking program within Honors that integrates
technological and social issues into research projects spanning all
four undergraduate years. Focusing on technological innovation
and its implications, Gemstone brings together by invitation multidisciplinary
teams of students from such diverse majors as English, Physics, History,
Computer Science, Business, Biochemistry, Engineering, and Government
and Politics. These teams, formed in the freshman year, undertake
four year research projects examining issues of major societal importance
- topics are drawn from areas such as urban planning, the environment,
telecommunications, criminal justice, medicine, and manufacturing.
The program's academic structure (three 3-credit classes alternating
with four 1-credit research seminars) gives the participants the
chance to learn about the relationships between technology and business,
law, social structures, and politics. At the end of the senior
year, each team writes and presents a thesis describing their research
to a panel of industrial, government, and academic leaders.
Participating students have the option of a residential living/learning
experience. Students who successfully complete the rigorous
program receive the Honors Citation in Gemstone. For more
information, see their Web page at http://www.glue.umd.edu/department/isr/www/html/Programs/Gemstone.
College Park Scholars
The two year College Park Scholars program creates a small college
environment within the larger research university by inviting talented
students who share common intellectual interests to live together
in selected residence halls and study together in courses organized
around common themes. Freshmen invited to participate in College
Park Scholars may choose from the following curricular emphases: Advocates
for Children; American Cultures; the Arts; Environmental Studies;
International Studies; Life Sciences; Public Leadership; Science and
the Discovery of the Universe; and Science, Technology, and Society.
Scholars earn a citation by taking five to eight courses chosen
from program specific curricula that simultaneously fulfill CPS
citation requirements and university CORE requirements. After
earning the CPS citation, they may elect to move to departmental
Honors programs in their majors. For more information about
the College Park Scholars Program, call 301-405-2777 or see their
Web page at http://www.inform.umd.edu/EdRes/Colleges/SCHOLAR/.
Financial Aid
Two types of scholarship are available; those based solely on academic
or creative talent (merit based), and those based on financial need
as well as academic or creative talent (need based). The eligibility
criteria for the different scholarships vary. the merit based
scholarships are briefly summarized below. For more information
on these programs, students are encouraged to contact the office or
department responsible for selecting the recipients. More detailed
information about scholarships may be found on pp. 17-19 of the Undergraduate
Catalog, or at http://inform.umd.edu/FIN/.
Please note that unless otherwise stated, these scholarships require
that a complete admission application, official transcript, and SAT
or ACT scores be submitted to the Undergraduate Admissions Office
by December 1.
- Banneker/Key
Scholarship
- Students
selected for this prestigious award will receive full financial
support for four years. It covers tuition, room, board,
mandatory fees, and a book allowance. They will also be
admitted to the University Honors Program, and will be afforded
many other opportunities for participation in intellectual enrichment
programs. Contact the Office of Undergraduate Admissions.
- Regents
Scholar Program
- New
awards are made each year in the amount of full in-state tuition,
room, board, and mandatory fees. In addition, winners
receive a $1,000 stipend each academic year. Recipients
are automatically admitted to the University Honors Program.
Contact the Office of Undergraduate Admissions.
- National
Merit and National Achievement Scholarships
- The
University offers $2,000 scholarships for each of four years
to in-state merit finalists who indicate College Park as their
first choice institution. Other merit finalists are awarded
scholarships ranging from $750 to $2,000. Contact the
Office of Undergraduate Admissions.
- President's
Scholarship
- The
award provides talented undergraduate students with partial
tuition support for four years. Contact the Office of
Undergraduate Admissions.
- Weinberg
Regents Scholarship
- Awarded
to a Maryland community college transfer student in order to
continue the commitment to outstanding students. The deadline
for submitting the candidate's application material is June
15. The winner may receive the scholarship for two years,
totaling no more than four semesters including summer sessions.
For information, contact the University of Maryland System Administration
at 301-853-3692.
- Transfer
Merit Scholarship
- Available
to outstanding students transferring from Maryland community
colleges. The awards cover in-state tuition and mandatory
fees for two years of undergraduate study. The deadline
is March 16. Contact the Office of Undergraduate Admissions.
- Honors
Scholarship
- Honors
students already attending UMCP are eligible to apply for these
$600 awards. Contact the University Honors Program.
- Full
University Scholarship
- The
scholarship program is for incoming freshmen who are Maryland
residents, academically talented, and demonstrate financial
need. This four year award covers tuition and mandatory
fees, room and board. Contact the Office of Student Financial
Aid.
- Deans'
Scholarships
- This
program is for academically talented Maryland residents.
Scholarships awarded range from $1,500 to $4,500, some offering
specially designated experiences sponsored by an academic department.
Contact the Office of Undergraduate Admissions.
- Maryland
State Scholarships
- The
Maryland State Scholarship Administration (MSSA), located in
Annapolis, awards both need- and merit based scholarships to
Maryland residents. There are currently 16 different programs
available. You may obtain more information about these
awards by calling MSSA at 410-974-5370. All Maryland residents
are expected to apply for State Scholarship assistance.
Initial application for many of the awards is made through the
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Please
note that filing the FAFSA is sufficient to apply for most Maryland
State Scholarships at UM, although some may require additional
application forms. The application deadline for most programs
is March 1. FAFSAs are available from the UM Office of
Student Financial Aid.
- Scholarships
from Other States
- Several
states have reciprocal agreements with the State of Maryland.
Students who are residents of these states may receive funds
for study in eligible post-secondary institutions in Maryland.
Interested students should contact their state scholarship agencies
for information.
- Scholarship
Services
- A
broad range of scholarships is available from private sources.
Usually, these awards are not as well publicized as the state
and university programs. Therefore, students should conduct
a scholarship search to locate such sources. The University
of Maryland offers access to several services to students to
aid them in their searches. To use these services, access
http://www.inform.umd.edu/FIN/.
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