Department of Physics
Mission Statement "To engage students, campus and community in the most fundamental of all sciences through excellence in teaching, first-class research, and dedicated outreach."
Physics is the most fundamental and exact of the physical sciences. Its laws are basic to deep understanding in all of technology, and in many fields of study, such as astronomy, chemistry, materials science, engineering, photonics, biology, medicine, geology, and environmental science.
The Department of Physics offers an undergraduate major in Physics, along with an option in Optical Science and Engineering. For students interested in teaching in secondary schools, a major in Physics Education is offered in conjunction with the School of Education. Special double major programs in Mathematics and Physics and Computer Science and Physics are also available. These programs allow well-prepared students to complete the requirements for both majors in four years by taking advantage of the close connections between physics, mathematics, and computer science.
The Department also offers an undergraduate minor in Physics, as well as M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Physics at the graduate level. Highly motivated undergraduate students may elect to pursue an accelerated master's degree starting in their junior year, resulting in both a bachelor's degree and a master's degree in Physics after approximately five years of study; interested students should contact their adviser for details.
