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Physics majors are interested in understanding the nature of the physical universe. This interest may focus on more specific sub-areas, such as the physics of elementary particles; the properties of solid matter; or the evolution of stars, galaxies, and black holes. A successful physics major will develop analytical and problem-solving skills which will be useful in a wide range of possible applications and careers.

Special Opportunities

The department sponsors a local chapter of the Society of Physics Students. The department also has an honors program. Students are invited to apply for admission to the honors program in physics on the basis of performance in introductory courses. Physics majors participating in the Physics Honors Program must maintain a minimum 3.3 GPA in physics courses and a 3.0 cumulative GPA. Honors students must also submit an acceptable honors thesis based on research conducted under the supervision of a faculty member in physics or astronomy and participate in an Honors Seminar course.

The major in physics requires successful completion of 33–41 semester hours in one of four tracks: graduate school, astrophysics, biophysics or physics education.

Career Opportunities:

A wide range of careers are available for people with physics degrees: academic careers in physics, astronomy, and engineering; research science in government laboratories; research and development in private industry; engineering; K-12 teaching; quantitative financial analysis for investment firms; medical research or practice; science journalism. The analytical skills developed in the course of taking a physics curriculum allow physics majors (on average) to have relatively high scores on the LSAT and MCAT admissions tests for law school and medical school.

• Astrophysics
• Biophysics
• Physics Education