Physics is a vast discipline which studies the entire realm of nature from the utmost minute particles, distances and times imaginable to the most massive stars and the outer limits of the universe. From a more applied perspective, physics is used to solve practical problems, often to advance technology to positively impact humanity. Physicists observe the phenomena of nature and try to find patterns that relate these phenomena. Physics is particularly concerned with those aspects of nature which can be formulated in terms of principles and laws expressed in an elegant and concise mathematical form.
The department mission is to support a thriving and engaged community of students and faculty who are using physics to solve applied and fundamental problems relevant to society, industry, and the military.
We provide a comprehensive curriculum for students pursuing a BS major in Applied Physics, a BA in Physics, a Minor in Applied Physics, and a Minor in Aerospace Science.
Whom the Major Would Interest or Appeal To
The majors in physics (BS in Applied Physics and BA in Physics) might appeal to students that want to really understand how things work from a fundamental perspective. They often get excited about being a part of scientific discovery, enjoy learning about the tangible and the very abstract, and like to use math to understand the world. They don’t mind getting their hands dirty in the lab. Physics students also often enjoy a challenge and are interested at being at the forefront of technology.
The BA in Physics for students that seek a much more flexible degree plan than the BS in Applied Physics. The BA is an excellent option for students with an interest in physics that want to combine this technical education with another field or fields. Because of the flexibility in this curriculum, a student could more easily tailor their interest in physics with other areas. For example, pre-med students could seek the BA and still have the space in their plan of study to meet pre-med requirements. Other combinations of interests could be pre-law, entrepreneurship, fine arts, or education. Students could also combine this degree with a significant number of courses in the other sciences or engineering. The flexibility of required upper level physics courses means a student can choose more applied physics courses, more theory-oriented courses, or a mix that best fits their interests.
Post-Graduation Pathways and Career Options
Because of their skills in problem-solving, mathematical modeling, data analysis, and experimentation, graduates from our department have a broad array of career options. For example, recent graduates work as engineers in industry, are in graduate school in physics and related fields, and enter the military. For those that enter the military, two common interests are the nuclear Navy and careers as pilots. The BS is the more appropriate degree for students that want to pursue more technical career paths or graduate school in physics. The BA is more appropriate for a student that is seeking a less technical career or is seeking to combine physics with another focus area.
Lab Facilities
The department, housed in Grimsley Hall, has several laboratories, including the Photonics Research and Teaching Lab, the Aerodynamics and Fluid Mechanics Lab, the Computational Atmospheric Research Lab, the Flight Simulator Lab, the Electronics and Sensor Systems Lab, the Prototyping Tools Workspace, and the Senior Physics Capstone Project Space.
Student Learning Outcomes
Students completing the BA in Physics will be able to
- Identify, formulate, and solve broadly defined technical or scientific problems by applying knowledge of mathematics and science and/or technical topics to areas relevant to the discipline.
- Develop and conduct experiments or test hypotheses, analyze and interpret data and use scientific judgment to draw conclusions.
- Communicate effectively with a range of audiences.
- Function effectively on teams that establish goals, plan tasks, meet deadlines, and analyze risk and uncertainty.
Major Academic Map
Click here to view the Academic Map for this major, which shows the courses and sequence.
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