Why Study Physics
Any student interested in physics, astrophysics, or engineering who wants to be able to tackle difficult problems, will enjoy a degree in Physics.
Physics is the study of the physical universe; if you can touch it or imagine it, from the subatomic to the cosmological, it’s physics. The physics major is a customizable degree built around a set of fundamental problem-solving tools – experiment, theory, and computation – and a set of fundamental topics – mechanics, electromagnetism, and quantum mechanics. The program also includes 18 credit hours of major electives that can be chosen in a wide variety of science and engineering disciplines allowing you to tailor the degree to your career goals. Graduate school in physics? Take more physics classes. Computational science? Take computer science classes. Biomaterials researcher? Take biology and chemistry classes. They all count toward your degree. Physics graduates go on to graduate and professional school in fields such as physics, astronomy, engineering, computer science, medical physics, medicine, law, and finance. Physics graduates can be found working in a variety of fields under titles such as physicist, engineer, analyst, and consultant.
We emphasize undergraduate student research, small class sizes and faculty-student interaction. All students complete the program with a capstone project. Our faculty have expertise in Astronomy, Astrophysics, Computational Science, Materials Science and Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Nanophotonics, and Quantum Theory.
What will I Learn
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To identify, formulate, and solve complex problems by applying principles of science, engineering, and mathematics.
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To design experiments and apply design principles to solve problems that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors.
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To communicate effectively with a range of audiences.
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To recognize ethical and professional responsibilities and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of activities in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts.
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To function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives.
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To develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use good judgment to draw conclusions.
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To acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.
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To use computational techniques to model and solve problems.
