How early can students get involved in physics research? Are there any courses that must be taken before they can begin research?

How easy is it to change majors between these disciplines?

How difficult is it to place into PHY 205 as a Freshman?

Do physics students typically work with grad students when they do research early on, or are they directly mentored by professors?

Can you explain the process of early concentrating?

Will either of this year’s AP Physics C tests (Mechanics or E&M) be accepted by the school?

does math 216 or 218 approach analysis topologically or are they more rooted in a real number approach

What is the process of math placement for freshmen like?

If I want to get a certificate in physics or applied math and go into a field like medicine, would harsh grading be detrimental to grad school pursuits?

What math classes go along with the physics track, and what similarly what is the placement process for those math classes like?

Is it possible to take engineering/applied physics courses while still maintain a major in PMA? If so, does the junior paper/senior thesis need to incorporate the engineering as well?

Is it known how regulary particle physics will be offered, and does it depend on student interest?

Do physics concentrators often stay on campus for summer research?

How does one decide between the two sequences?

I've always wanted to finish the book "Primes of the Form x^2+ny^2" by David Cox. Topics include the Artin symbol, ring class fields, singular j-invariants, and the class equation. How close to these topics might I reasonably get as an undergrad, and which classes would I want to take?

I am aware the physics department has a theoretical focus. If students want to pursue theory-heavy physics research, how do professors help students get up to speed in this regard? Do they mentor the students to expose them to the different theories?

I plan on majoring in mathematics, but I am also very interested in theoretical computer science as it relates to mathematics (type theory, proof checking, and proof automation). Looking online, it seems like there are some professors in the computer science department who study these areas. Would it be possible for me to engage in research under these professors at some point during undergraduate while majoring in mathematics?

Michelle Matel (undergrad program administrator, Math): Here's a link to a basic description of the Mathematics major:http://web.math.princeton.edu/undergraduate/PrincetonPreview-2020.pdf. More detailed information can be found in the Undergraduate tab of our department website.

Can MAT 215/217 fulfill math prerequisites for physics courses, or would you reccomend placing into MAT 203

How many undergraduate math students take graduate math courses?

just to get a feel for course load, how many math/(astro)physics classes do students generally take per semester

If a student wants to do a thesis in experimental thesis, is one limited to researching in an area that a faculty member has experience in?

How do students come up with ideas for senior theses?

following on the answer that junior research can be done outside of one’s major, is senior these to be done in the area of one’s major?

What are the strongest research areas in the astrophysics department? Is it possible for undergraduates to get involved in general relativity/quantum gravity research?

following on the answer that junior research can be done outside of one’s major, is senior thesis to be done in the area of one’s major?

What percentage of Physics students study abroad?

Does the ISC sequence work well for preparing for a Physics/AST major?

Would a professor not work with a student because of lack of funding?

Do a lot of math majors go into academia after graduating? For those that go into industry, what are some areas of industry that students go into?

If you visit the Math department web page, and click on the "Virtual Sophomore Open House" link, there's a document there that shows post-graduate outcomes for the last 4 years.

Hi all - my email is ariaw@princeton.edu - I am happy to answer any questions you have about the Math department or Princeton in general via email or phone!

Mine is dgalt@princeton.edu—I can help answer questions about going on to graduate school as well as about the 216/218 sequence.

Thank you all so much! This session was very much appreciated!