Student Resources

Undergraduate Student Planning and Advising Manual

This document will help undergraduate majors in the physics and astronomy department plan out their four-year curriculum in their areas of interest, courses they should take for specific tracks, and the program requirements necessary for our Bachelor's of Science degree. It is intended as a supplement to iCap tools, not a replacement, and a basis for discussion with your academic advisor. You should meet with your academic advisor early and often, especially if you are new to our department, to insure you are on track to achieving your academic goals in a timely manor.

Student Planning Manual (PDF)

Physics Help Center

The Department of Physics and Astronomy at Western Kentucky University offers a Physics Help Center. The Help Center is presently located in TCCW 125B. The purpose of this center is to help students with concepts and problem solving skills in the following introductory physics courses:

College Physics I (201) and II (202)
Biophysics I (231) and II (332)
University Physics I (255), University Physics II (265)

Homeland Security Graduate Assistantships

Graduate students may apply for an assistantship in homeland security this fall(2013). Please fill out the application form below and send it to Dr. Novikov at ivan.novikov@wku.edu.

Graduate Assistantship Application

Work and Research Opportunities

The department is committed to provide work-study and/or research-related work opportunities for all of its students that desire it. Check the Job Listing Page for some of the opportunities that are currently available.

All student employees in the Department of Physics and Astronomy must complete a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). In order to avoid delays in receiving your paycheck, please complete this form as soon as possible. The WKU Financial Aid Office has copies of the form or you can complete it online at the US Department of Education FAFSA web site.

Randall Harper Award for Outstanding Research in Physics and Astronomy

The WKU Department of Physics and Astronomy is pleased to announce the Randall Harper Award for Outstanding Undergraduate Research. Undergraduate students who have been involved in research projects, either on the WKU campus or through summer research experiences elsewhere, may apply for this award. Successful applicants will receive a certificate and $100 at the annual University Awards Ceremony.

The deadline for the 2018 competition is Monday, March 19, 2018 at 5 PM. For further information please read the Award Announcement. To apply please download and complete the online application form using Adobe Acrobat Reader (PC) or Preview (Mac).

Past Winners

WKU NOVA Center $1000 Student Scholarship

An undergraduate tuition scholarship of $1000 is being offered for the fall 2011 semester. To qualify for this scholarship opportunity, you must be a full-time matriculated student at Western Kentucky University who’s Major is in the Ogden College of Science and Engineering. You must be a U.S. Citizen, and have a minimum G.P.A of 3.0. In accepting this scholarship, the student is required to on a research project at the WKU Nondestructive Analysis (NOVA) Center under the direction of Dr. Edward Kintzel who is the Center Director and Assistant Professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy. Interested students meeting the above qualifications should contact Dr. Kintzel (edward.kintzel@wku.edu) for more information and scholarship application.

A community of faculty, staff, and students engaged in better understanding the physical world.

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