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cas.umkc.edu/physics

Admission requirements

• There are no admission requirements beyond the regular admission requirements for the university.

Why UMKC?

• UMKC offers several undergraduate options in physics: a background for teaching or graduate study, or an entry point to an interesting and challenging research-based or high-tech career.
• The program is designed to develop your reasoning skills and problem-solving strategies under the direction of an outstanding faculty dedicated to quality teaching and cutting-edge research.

  

Fast facts

• Physics graduates use their physics-honed skills in a wide variety of areas. Recent graduates are now Marine fighter jet pilots, physicians, satellite operators, high tech company owners, upper-level management, and graduate students in physics and medical physics. Many of our former students point to the Department of Physics at UMKC, its challenging courses, small class sizes, acclaimed faculty and research opportunities, as the secret to their success.
• Many undergraduates choose to take advantage of the financial assistance available through the department. Physics has a variety of scholarships, from $500 to $2,000 annually. Students interested in these scholarships are encouraged to contact the undergraduate adviser to find out more information. Students eligible for financial aid may also get work-study positions.

Faculty

• Faculty members are active scholars who all have Ph.D.s from major universities and have an ongoing commitment to teaching and research.
• Faculty accolades include two Curators' Professors in Research (the university's highest distinction) and two members awarded for their teaching efforts.
• The faculty's list of special interest and research areas is lengthy and includes electronic structure of solids, the effects of ultra-high pressure on physical properties of materials, optical and photoelectron spectroscopy, large-scale computation including statistical mechanics, theory of liquids and solids using Monte Carlo, observational studies of galaxy evolution, and physics education.

• Under the supervision of a faculty member, all students have opportunities to gain research experience.
• Undergraduates are eligible to receive research funding through the Students Engaged in Artistic and Academic Research program umkc.edu/searchsite

Student organizations

The department sponsors two active student organizations affiliated with the American Institute of Physics:

• Society of Physics Students cas.umkc.edu/physics/sps/index.html
• Chapter of Sigma Pi Sigma, the national physics honor society

These organizations provide the opportunity for involvement in physics from the local level to leadership at the national level. The organizations visit national physics facilities, and they meet regularly to build interesting physics demonstrations, for informal discussions on physics and other issues, to host educational programs and also for periodic social events.

Careers

Explore career options for Physics majors at careeronestop.org.

Contact us

Office of Admissions

120 Administrative Center
5115 Oak St.
Kansas City, MO 64112
Phone: 816-235-1111
Toll-free: 1-800-775-8652
Relay Missouri: 1-800-735-2966 (TTY)
E-mail: admit@umkc.edu
umkc.edu/admissions

Visit us

Students are encouraged to schedule a campus visit by visiting umkc.edu/welcome or calling 816-235-8652.