Sigma Pi Sigma

Sigma Pi Sigma exists to honor outstanding scholarship in physics; to encourage interest in physics among students at all levels; to promote an attitude of service of its members towards their fellow students, colleagues, and the public; to provide a fellowship of persons who have excelled in physics. Founded in 1921, Sigma Pi Sigma is a member honor society of the Association of College Honor Societies. This society has some 75,000 historical members.^[1] Election to Sigma Pi Sigma is a lifetime membership. In 1968, the student sections of the American Institute of Physics and Sigma Pi Sigma merged to create the Society of Physics Students. Both SPS and Sigma Pi Sigma are currently organizations of the American Institute of Physics.

Membership

Membership in Sigma Pi Sigma is a lifetime appointment. Sigma Pi Sigma chapters are restricted to colleges and universities of recognized standing that offer a strong physics major. The chapters receive into membership undergraduate and graduate students, faculty members, and a few others in closely related fields. Students elected to membership must attain high standards of general scholarship and outstanding achievement in physics. Certain high numerical standards for admittance are established by chapter bylaws and the national constitution. Undergraduate candidates must be in the upper one-third of their class in general scholarship to meet the minimum standard that chapters may use. A higher minimum average is often established for physics courses. Undergraduate candidates must have completed at least three semesters of full-time college work and at least three semester courses in physics that can be credited toward a physics major. Graduate students and faculty members may be elected at any time. Students who are not physics majors can be elected, provided that they meet the standards and have demonstrated an interest in physics. A chapter can elect to active membership qualified students and faculty members in nearby colleges that do not have a Sigma Pi Sigma chapter. Physicists in industry and government laboratories, as well as secondary school physics teachers, can be elected on the basis of their professional record.

Honorary Members

The highest class of membership in Sigma Pi Sigma is that of Honorary Member. Only distinguished physicists and related scientists who have made valuable contributions to physics at the national level are eligible for this honor. Local chapters may nominate such individuals, but election is only by the National Council.^[2] Over a hundred members have been elected as Honorary Sigma Pi Sigma members, including John C. Mather, William D. Phillips, Jocelyn Bell Burnell, Jill Tarter, Carl Wieman, Robert Ballard, and many more.^[2]

External links

• Sigma Pi Sigma National Website

References

1. ↑ "About Sigma Pi Sigma". Sigma Pi Sigma. 
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Honorary Members". sigmapisigma.org.