Advising
Faculty Office Hours - Physics faculty advising office hours are a worthwhile opportunity to ask physics faculty members any questions you might have about their physics journey, research, grad school, and general advice. Please note that these office hours are organized by our physics advisors, and the faculty hosting these office hours changes each semester.
Undergraduate Major Advisors Office Hours - Appointments with advisors Kathleen Cooney and Nitin Srivastava can be scheduled here and here respectively. If you are a new student, it is highly recommended to ask the Physics Undergraduate Major Advisors to add you to the Physics Intended Major Email List and the Physics Central Ed Discussion. Our physics advisors are here for you, so don't hesitate to reach out. In-person office hours are subject to change, but you can always stop by 374 and 375 Physics North to see if anyone is available.
SPS Office Hours - Come say hi! We are eager to talk about physics courses, applying for research, and anything else. Being a physics student can be challenging, but many of us have been in your position and can offer advice from a student's perspective. Regardless, you're always welcome to stop by for the snacks.
Slack & Discord - Join the SPS Slack and Discord to stay in the loop and find your community. We will send updates about current events, projects, meetings, and more. We just ask that you please be respectful!
Mentorship
MPS scholars - The MPS Scholars program supports all students majoring or intending to major in math or the physical sciences. MPS provides undergraduate as well as faculty mentors to guide students. They also host networking events to motivate students to find research opportunities in academia and the industry. The annual MPS retreat provides students with the environment to be inspired and learn how to pursue their aspirations.
Physics Directed Reading Program - This program aims to provide undergraduates with the opportunity to explore fields in physics not typically discussed in the standard curriculum. Students are paired with a graduate student and will delve into fields like biophysics, geophysics, gravitational physics, plasma physics, and much more! This is a great program to explore your interests.
Academic Support
Student Learning Center - The SLC provides a rigorous and inclusive space for undergraduates to collaborate, learn, and grow, driven by peer pedagogy. The SLC serves more than 10,000 undergraduates annually and is experienced in supporting all students.
Past Physics Notes - SPS has worked with physics students at Berkeley to collect the notes of students from previous physics courses they enrolled in. These notes are attached and separated by course; they may prove an excellent resource for studying or surveying the content of a course you plan to take!
DeCal: Introduction to Problem Solving in Physics
- Physics 98 (1 unit)
- Class #: 22513
- Time: Tuesday & Thursday, 05:00 pm - 05:59 pm
- Location: Etcheverry 3119
Physics 98: Introduction to Problem Solving in Physics is a 1 unit P/NP student-run class where you can learn problem solving methods and mathematical tools for first semester physics. It’s a great opportunity to build your physics intuition, strengthen your problem solving toolset, and find your community in physics. First semester physics can be the most challenging course in the whole degree, but it’s also a great chance to build intuition for concepts that come back again and again, and we’re here to support you along the way! It’s 5:00 - 6:00 pm in Etcheverry 3119, and you can enroll through the enrollment center. We hope you’ll join us for an exciting journey in mechanics!
For Victims of Sexual Violence
UC Berkeley provides a wealth of resources to support victims of sexual violence. One can seek help through the PATH to Care center, which provides these services.
It is always the victims’ decision to pursue any resources or to report an incident. If one chooses to report an incident, there are several ways:
- If there is an immediate threat, dial 911.
- For non-emergencies, call UCPD at (510)642-6760 or Berkeley PD at (510)981-5900
- Visit a medical center. Tell a medical professional that you wish to report a crime.
To learn more about options in the area, call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800.656.HOPE (4673).
If one wishes to report someone in the physics department to the physics department, there’s an anonymous tip box.