Department of Physics

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Introduction

MIU cultures our physics students to be leaders in contemporary advanced physics. MIU’s physics programs unify consciousness and material existence in a profound, meaningful way, whereas other university physics programs make no serious attempt to connect consciousness and matter at all. In fact, at other universities, consciousness is entirely excluded from the curriculum. At MIU, the consciousness-based paradigm is the foundation of all courses and research.

How did consciousness ever become separated from the material world, in academia, especially science? MIU’s approach answers this question. Since the seventeenth century, when early modern thinkers like Galileo and Descartes outlined the framework for modern science, especially mathematical physics, the physical world was regarded as “external” to consciousness. Science progressed on the working assumption that physical objects interact in terms of sequential causation in a fixed space/time framework. Subjectivity was (at least temporarily) put aside in scientific investigation, and the material world was studied without reference to consciousness. While dissociating the “external” world from consciousness may have had some pragmatic utility when scientific theory was simple and instruments were crude, by now the materialist framework has become outdated, restrictive, and incomplete. The Consciousness-Based paradigm is necessary for fundamental science to advance. Consequently, the learning objectives for MIU’s graduate physics program are structured to facilitate advances at the cutting edge of theoretical and experimental physics based on the insight that consciousness is primary; indeed, that consciousness is all there is.

The physical sciences of the conservation laws, the periodic table of the elements, the standard model of particle physics, etc.-of which we are all rightfully proud-represent a mere 4% of the matter and energy of the universe. The remaining 96% is dark matter and dark energy, of which we know very little except that they express the subtlest values of quantum physics. While the elusive interaction between mind and body may involve physics more mysterious than any phenomena currently under scientific investigation, a plausible approach to understanding this interaction suggests that the exotic features of contemporary advanced physics-particularly quantum mechanics and quantum field theory-may already be revealing at least the more tangible aspects of the mental domain. These considerations form the essential background for appreciating the profound significance and potential of MIU’s Consciousness-Based physics program.

Special Features

MIU’s physics programs foster increased competence in mathematical and experimental physics. For example, general relativity is expressed in terms of the smooth manifolds of differential geometry, while quantum mechanics and quantum field theory involve quantization expressed in terms of self-adjoint operators in Hilbert space. Students will gain a deeper understanding of advanced and seemingly anomalous concepts in physics, such as quantum nonlocality and entanglement, quantum measurement, advanced potentials in quantum electrodynamics, and particularly cosmological dark matter and dark energy. Dark matter, which is anomalous as far as the standard model of particle physics is concerned, needs to be understood, and is a central feature of our MIU physics education and research. Students will increasingly appreciate the deep compatibility of science and spirituality and especially how science is a refinement of knowledge of the laws of nature already embedded in our own consciousness. That is, the laws of nature are embedded in our own consciousness, and science is a process of increasingly refined understanding of these laws, thereby deepening our understanding of our own consciousness.

MIU’s physics programs emphasize how progress on the deepest issues of contemporary physics should be addressed from the Consciousness-Based perspective. Perhaps the deepest issue for contemporary advanced physics is the integration of general relativity and quantum field theory. In addition, students will become intimate with the special issues relating to the science of consciousness. One of these issues, which Dr. Nader has been emphasizing, is the “hard problem of consciousness”-the fact of subjective experience which even a completed science of neurophysiology will not explain. Other issues relate to the physics underlying the TM-Sidhi program and long-range phenomena such as the Maharishi Effect. Still other issues relate to familiar features of our cognitive life-such as referral (both self-referral and object referral), logic and rationality, values (ethical values and concepts of beauty), purpose and free will-which do not reduce to the kinds of causal processes characteristic of standard physics. MIU’s physics programs offer students an exciting and unique opportunity to develop, discuss, and parse out the proper framework for integrating physics and consciousness. No other university comes close to offering this.

Programs Offered

• BAAS Specialization in Physics
• Minor in Physics
• Master of Science in Foundations of Physics and Consciousness (1-year program)
• Master of Science in Physics (2-year program)

Entry-Level Mathematics Requirements for Physics

Students who intend to earn an MIU bachelor’s degree, specialization, or minor in mathematics, computer science, or physics must prove entry-level competency in mathematics at the level of MATH 162 Functions and Graphs 2 as a prerequisite to the following required courses:

• MATH 281 - Calculus 1  
• MATH 272 - Discrete Mathematics  
• CS 201 - Procedural Programming  

This entry-level competency in mathematics equivalent to MATH 162  may be proved in one of three ways:

• Transferring qualified credits in a course equivalent to MATH 162 , MATH 281 , or MATH 282  earned at an eligible institution.
• Demonstrating proficiency equivalent to MATH 162  or higher in the on-campus Mathematics Placement Assessment. Submitting official proof of minimum qualifying scores achieved within 3 years prior to enrollment at MIU on specified standardized college-level calculus and/or mathematics exams offered by College Board Advanced Placement (AP), College Level Examination Program (CLEP), or International Baccalaureate Higher Level (IB HL). To be eligible for credit to fulfill a mathematics course, the student must take the official AP Calculus AB and/or BC exam within 3 years prior to enrollment. At the time of the AP exam, student must designate MIU’s school code as an automatic recipient of the official score report. A student who has already completed an AP exam within the past 3 years must go to apscore.collegeboard.org to request that scores be sent directly to MIU from College Board. Official AP, CLEP, and/or IB HL scores and transcripts must be sent directly from the issuing organization to MIU in a sealed envelope. Copies made and/or sent by the student will not be accepted.

Transfer Credit Policy for Entry-Level Mathematics

Transferred credits for a mathematics course completed at an eligible prior post-secondary educational institution will be evaluated to determine if the transferred course fulfills the entry requirement equivalent to MATH 162 .

Definition of an Eligible Institution for Transfer Credit
Transferred credits for a mathematics course will only be evaluated for eligibility to fulfill the entry requirement equivalent to MATH 162  if the course was completed at a postsecondary institution that meets the following criteria:

• The institution has regional or national accreditation
• The institution is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education
• The institution defines a credit hour equivalent to the standard set by the U.S. Department of Education

Timeframe, Grade, and Department Criteria for Transfer Credits to Fulfill MATH 162
Transferred credits for mathematics courses completed at an eligible prior postsecondary educational institution will be evaluated to determine if the transferred course fulfills the entry requirement equivalent to MATH 162  if the course meets the following criteria:

• The course was completed within two (2) semesters prior to admission at MIU
• The course shows a final posted grade of B or better on the student’s transcript
• The course was offered and taught by a mathematics department at the prior eligible institution

A student seeking approval for transferred credits to fulfill the entry requirement equivalent to MATH 162  may also be required to provide supporting documentation requested by the mathematics department including, but not limited to, course descriptions, course syllabus, institutional catalog, course catalog, or course projects. There is no guarantee that transferred credit will be approved to fulfill the entry requirement equivalent to MATH 162 . Transferred credits to fulfill the entry requirement equivalent to MATH 162  may not be approved for courses requiring up-to-date knowledge of course topics, trends, technology, software, and/or hardware. Transferred credits will not fulfill any requirement for MATH 051 , MATH 152 , MATH 153 , or MATH 161 . If any of these courses are required, they must be fulfilled either by taking the course and passing it or by passing the Mathematics Placement Assessment at that level.

Entry-Level Mathematics Placement Assessment

Students with no transferred credits approved to fulfill the entry requirement equivalent to MATH 162  or MATH 281  must take the on-campus Mathematics Placement Assessment to determine their level of proficiency in mathematics. If the demonstrated level of proficiency is MATH 162 , the student may take any of the following courses required for their program: MATH 281 , MATH 272 , or CS 201 . If the student’s demonstrated proficiency is lower than MATH 162 , the assessment may be repeated up to 3 additional times for a higher placement. After the 4th attempt, a student placing below MATH 162  must complete designated prerequisite mathematics courses in sequential order. Successfully completing all mathematics courses required for a placement level lower than MATH 162  may add one or two semesters of prerequisite mathematics study to the program. A practice Mathematics Placement Assessment and learning preparation modules are available online on request.

Transfer Credit and Exam Waivers for Required Courses

Students may be awarded transfer credit to fulfill course requirements other than MATH 162  in one of two ways:

• Transferring qualified credits equivalent to the required course(s) earned at an eligible institution.
• Submitting official proof of minimum qualifying scores achieved within 3 years prior to enrollment at MIU on specified college-level, standardized exams offered by College Board Advanced Placement (AP), College Level Examination Program (CLEP), or International Baccalaureate Higher Level (IB HL).

Transfer Credit Policy for Mathematics Courses Required for a Major

Transferred credits for mathematics courses completed at eligible prior post-secondary educational institution(s) will be evaluated to determine if the transferred course(s) fulfills requirements for courses other required for the student’s degree, specialization, or minor. A student seeking approval for transferred credits to fulfill mathematics course requirements may also be required to provide supporting documentation requested by the mathematics department, including, but not limited to, course descriptions, course syllabus, institutional catalog, course catalog, or course projects. There is no guarantee that transferred credit will be approved to fulfill MIU mathematics course requirements. Transferred credits to fulfill these requirements may not be approved for courses requiring up-to-date knowledge of course topics, trends, technology, software, and/or hardware.

Definition of an Eligible Institution for Transfer Credit
Transferred credits will only be evaluated for eligibility to fulfill the requirements of the BS in Mathematics and/or Computer Science if the transferred course was completed at a post-secondary institution that meets the following criteria:

• The institution has regional or national accreditation
• The institution is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education
• The institution defines a credit hour equivalent to the standard set by the U.S. Department of Education

Timeframe, Grade, and Department Criteria for Transfer Credits
Transferred credits for a course completed at an eligible prior post-secondary educational institution will be evaluated for equivalency with a required mathematics and computer science course other than MATH 162  if the transferred course meets the following criteria:

• The course was completed within three years prior to admission at MIU.
• The course shows a final posted grade of B or better on the student’s transcript.
• The course was offered and taught by a mathematics, physics, computer science, or business department, respectively, at the prior eligible institution

Credit for Standardized Exam Scores in Mathematics or Calculus

Credit for MATH 281 - Calculus 1  can be earned if the student officially submits minimum scores on one of the following exams taken within 3 years prior to enrolling at MIU:

• College Board Advanced Placement (AP) Calculus AB score of 4 or higher
• College Board Advanced Placement (AP) Calculus BC score of 4 or higher
• College Level Examination Program (CLEP) score of 60 or higher
• International Baccalaureate Higher Level (IB HL) Mathematics Applications & Interpretation or Analysis & Approaches grade of 5 or higher

Credit for both MATH 281 - Calculus 1  and MATH 282 - Calculus 2  can be earned if the student officially submits an official AP Calculus BC score of 4 or higher. To be eligible for credit, the student must take the official AP Calculus AB and/or BC exam within 3 years prior to enrollment. At the time of the AP Calculus AB and/or BC exam, student must designate MIU’s school code as an automatic recipient of the official score report. A student who has already completed an AP exam within the past 3 years must go to apscore.collegeboard.org to request that scores be sent directly to MIU from College Board. Official AP, CLEP, and/or IB HL scores and transcripts must be sent directly from the issuing organization to MIU in a sealed envelope. Copies made and/or sent by the student will not be accepted.

Satisfying Course Requirements Through Examination Alone

A student may request to take an examination in order to fulfill mathematics, computer science, or physics courses required for a major, minor, or specialization in the following cases:

• Transferred credit was evaluated and failed to meet a criterion for Timeframe, Grade, or Department.
• The student does not have prior academic credits but has demonstrated prior experience in the topics of a required course.

If their request is approved, the student may attempt the examination one time only. If a student successfully passes the examination, the required course will appear on the student’s transcript with a letter grade of PW, indicating the requirement to take the required course is waived. A PW grade has no impact on the student’s CGPA, completion rate, or maximum time frame for the purposes of calculating SAP.

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