- How can I be forced into a class?
- Can you set a time conflict override for classes/tests that overlap?
- How can I get a prerequisite override?
- Can I register for a “Major’s Only” (Field of Study Restriction) section?
- What does a Student Attribute Restriction mean when I try to register?
- What does a Field of Study – Concentration Restriction mean when I try to register?
- How can I request a Transfer Equivalency?
- Can I take the lab portion only for PHYS 201, 202, or ASTR 111?
- How do I q-drop a Physics course?
- When can I meet with an advisor?
- What if I want to change my major?
- What if I don’t know what I want to change to?
- What is a closet major (curriculum violation)?
- Can I take a graduate course?
- Are there scholarships available for Physics majors?
Commonly Asked Questions
How can I be forced into a class?
The Department of Physics and Astronomy does not force, nor we do not keep a waiting list. We encourage you to keep checking back for open seats.Can you set a time conflict override for classes/tests that overlap?
The Department of Physics and Astronomy does not set time conflict overrides. Please contact your major advisor for more information.How can I get a prerequisite override?
For prerequisite overrides, send an email to advising@physics.tamu.edu. Your request must include proof of enrollment, unless it comes from your major advisor. Proof of enrollment should show the name of the student, the school where the student took/will take the class and which class is being taken. Proof of completion is not required, only proof of enrollment. All override requests for PHYS 216 or PHYS 217 must come directly from an academic advisor in the College of Engineering.Please allow 24 hours for processing. During any registration period and summer semesters, please allow 48 – 72 hours for processing. Do not follow-up with an email or submit another request unless it has been more than 72 hours. Weekends and University holidays do not count towards processing times.
Can I register for a “Majors Only” (Field of Study Restriction) section?
The Department of Physics and Astronomy reserves a few sections of certain physics classes required for majors each semester. When all Physics majors have registered, any remaining seats will be released, at which time non-majors can register for those sections.What does a Student Attribute Restriction mean when I try to register?
The two most common reasons for receiving a Student Attribute Restriction are:- You have not completed the Lab Safety Acknowledgement, found on the Registration Readiness page in Howdy. Currently, this must be done each semester you are taking a class with a lab. Be sure that you have the upcoming semester selected from the drop-down menu in Howdy, as it will default to having the current semester listed.
- You are attempting to register for an Honors section but are not eligible to take Honors courses. Check the tags in the Aggie Schedule Builder to be sure your desired section is not tagged as Honors. In this case, you will need to register for the non-Honors section of the course.
What does a Field of Study – Concentration Restriction mean when I try to register?
In most cases, this means you are attempting to register for a section of a PHYS course that is offered on the McAllen campus. This is designated by an “M” in the section number of the course. You will need to register for one of the sections offered on the College Station campus instead.How can I request a Transfer Equivalency?
Email advising@physics.tamu.edu with the catalog description of the course. Please include your name and UIN, the name of the university and the course name and number. A syllabus for the course is preferred.Can I take the lab portion only for PHYS 201, PHYS 202, or ASTR 111?
Yes, please follow these instructions:- Choose a lab section for the appropriate class that will work with your schedule.
- Register for one credit hour of PHYS 285 – 514, with Dr. Ford.
- Immediately after registering, send an email to Dr. Ford (ford@physics.tamu.edu) and let him know that you have registered for his section. You will need to include the name of the course and the lab section you will attend.
- Let your TA know they will need to submit your grade to Dr. Ford at the end of the semester, and that you will not be attending the recitation (ASTR 111 does not have a recitation).
- Your advisor will need to submit a substitution request to add the 1 credit hour to the course you have already taken.