Why Study Physics
Any student interested in physics, astrophysics, or engineering and wanting to learn 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 core of courses that teach you different tools for solving complex problems (experimental, theoretical, and computational) along with a core of physics content courses (mechanics, electromagnetism, and quantum mechanics). The program also includes 18 credit hours of electives that can be chosen from an expansive list that includes many courses from other science and engineering disciplines. This gives you options. 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 are highly qualified individuals with expertise in Astronomy,
Astrophysics, Computational Science, Materials Science and Engineering, Mechanical
Engineering, Nanophotonics, and Quantum Theory.
What will I Learn
- Physics-specific knowledge.
- Problem-solving competency: Solve complex, ambiguous problems in real-world contexts.
- Instrumentation competency: competency in basic experimental technologies, including vacuum, electronics, optics, sensors, and data acquisition equipment. This includes basic experimental instrumentation abilities, such as knowing equipment limitations; understanding and using manuals and specifications; building, assembling, integrating, operating, and troubleshooting equipment; establishing interfaces between apparatus and computers; and calibrating laboratory instrumentation and equipment.
- Software competency: competency in learning and using industry-standard computational, design, analysis, and simulation software, and documenting the results obtained for a computation or design.
- Coding competency: competency in writing and executing software programs using a current software language to explore, simulate, or model physical phenomena.
- Data analytics competency: competency in analyzing data, including with statistical and uncertainty analysis; distinguishing
between models; and presenting those results with appropriate tables
and charts. - Effective communication skills.
- Professional/workplace skills
