The Jackson State Univeristy Department of Physics, Atmospheric, and Geoscience is home to a chapter of the Society of Physics Students, as well as its own chapter of the Sigma Pi Sigma honor society for physics.
Society of Physics Students
The Society of Physics Students was established in 1968 as a combination of two organizations, the American Institute of Physics’ Student Sections, and the Sigma Pi Sigma physics honor society. Today, there are over 700 SPS chapters across the country, with over 5,000 student members, making it the fourth largest physics society in the nation.
The Society of Physics Students’ mission is to develop students into professionals. Student members become effective communicators and leaders, and develop networks of professional contacts. Students are also encouraged to be active in presenting work at meetings and in journals.
The Society of Physics Students is not necessarily just for physics students. SPS members come from a variety of fields, including chemistry, engineering, mathematics, and medicine.
Sigma Pi Sigma Honor Society
The Sigma Pi Sigma Honor Society was founded in 1921, and has had about 75,000 members over the course of its lifetime. The purpose of the Sigma Pi Sigma Honor Society is to encourage interest in physics, promote students to perform service to their fellow students, colleagues, and communities, and provide fellowship among those who excel in physics. The four dimensions of Sigma Pi Sigma membership are Honor, Encouragement, Service, and Fellowship.
In order to host a chapter of Sigma Pi Sigma, a university must be of recognized standing and offer a strong physics major. Undergraduate students, graduate students, and faculty members may all be inducted into Sigma Pi Sigma.
To be eligible for membership, an undergraduate student must be in the top one-third of his or her class in general and must have completed at least three semesters of college course-work and at least three courses in physics that can be contributed to a major.
Graduate students and faculty members may be selected for membership into Sigma Pi Sigma at any time.