Physics BA

We get it: you love physics, but your calling is to be a teacher, or a physician or an engineer鈥攃areers that have so many undergraduate requirements. Could you still make it work? You can with the bachelor of arts degree.

The bachelor of arts in physics combines the basic physics foundation with the flexibility to choose advanced coursework that appeals to you. All this while keeping the required physics credits at a manageable total without compromising expectations of breadth and rigor.  While fewer physics credits are needed to graduate, bachelor of arts candidates are subject to the same expectations of skills as bachelor of science candidates and take all their physics courses together.

Your coursework will include lecture courses in the active learning style where, in addition to your noggin, you will apply the mathematics and computing training that you receive in the co-requisite requirements. It also includes a sequence of five physics lab courses encompassing electronics, optics, programming, measurement best practices and data analysis. Your capstone project will give you the chance to show off your hard-earned skills!

Headed for medical school?

This degree is ideal for pre-meds who like physics and are not afraid of math! Did you know that pre-meds who major in physics ? All chemistry, biology and behavioral sciences fit into our BA program.

Want to be a high school physics teacher?

How much physics do you really need to know to be able to teach in high school? More than two semesters, but surely not as much as a research physicist. A happy medium is ideal to make you an inspiring physics teacher. All education requirements fit into our BA program, even the field experiences!

Planning to be an engineer?

What is the difference between a physicist and an engineer? They both have similar skills, but are trained to approach the same problems with different mindsets, particularly protocol and risk tolerance. If you are always wanting to know the 鈥渨hy鈥� of everything, a physics degree will be the right add-on to your engineering career, making you more marketable. We make this easy with our 3+2 physics/engineering program.

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Program Information

The Bachelor of Arts in Physics gives you a solid physics foundation and versatility to accommodate other interests such as pre-med prerequisites, a second major in engineering, or science teacher preparation requirements.

Program Type

Major

Degree

Bachelor's

School

School of Science and Engineering

Academic Department

Physics

Duration

4-years

Required Credit Hours

120

Research Opportunities

As you progress, you will have the opportunity to join projects that span particle physics, atomic, molecular, and optical physics and materials science.

In the Corcovilos lab, you can study interactions between light and matter, using measurement techniques such as infrared and ultraviolet spectroscopy of atoms and molecules and laser cooling.  You'll learn hands-on skills like designing and building your own optical systems and electrons and perform optics experiments at international research facilities.  You'll develop state-of-the-art data analysis and statistical techniques using modern programming languages like Python and Julia and apply these techniques to problems in molecular physics, optics design, and environmental sensing.
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In the Sorescu lab, you can work on synthesizing and characterizing dysprosium oxide and gallium oxide鈥揾ematite nanostructures produced through mechanical ball milling. Using techniques such as M枚ssbauer spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, magnetic measurements, and optical spectroscopy, you may help study how processing conditions influence phase formation, magnetic ordering, and semiconducting behavior. These materials show tunable magnetic transitions and band gaps, making them promising for applications in spintronics, catalysis, sensing, and next-generation electronic materials.
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In the Benmokhtar lab, you will participate in international collaborations and be exposed to particle physics experimental setups in the US or abroad. You will learn about detector components and instrumentation and how large-scale physics experiments are designed and operated. You will conduct real experimental physics research, combine theory, large datasets analysis, and hands-on experience while also develop strong communication and professional skills needed for careers in physics. Students help investigate how quarks and gluons are distributed inside nucleons and test directly the theory of quantum chromodynamics (QCD), the fundamental theory of strong interactions, and allows you to engage with questions about how the visible mass of the universe emerges from quark-gluon-level dynamics.
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Questions? Contact Us!

Simonetta Frittelli, Ph.D.

Chair and Associate Professor

Department of Physics

Simonetta Frittelli

Michelle Rodriguez

Student Success Coach

School of Science and Engineering

michelle rodriguez

Real Voices. Real Experiences

Jake Shifler

鈥淣ot many pre-med students decide to major in Physics, but the department helped set me up for success in my medical school application. The rigorous curriculum expanded my critical thinking skills, and my teachers' support guided me in ways I never expected. I've been able to combine my passion for medicine and my love for physics."

Jake Shifler BA Physics '26, Pre-Medical Track
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91制片厂's physics program offers a lot of individualized instruction, which is beneficial compared to larger institutions. I've always thrived on specific instruction from faculty rather than learning exclusively from lectures, making 91制片厂 a great fit for me.

Gabriel Pecar BS Physics, BA Music, Minors in Computer Science and Mathematics
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Prepared For Anything

Hear From A Student

Join our vibrant community of passionate learners, dedicated faculty, and accomplished alumni who have excelled in various physics-related domains. Unleash your potential, develop a deep appreciation for the wonders of physics, and embark on a rewarding journey that will shape your future.

After 91制片厂

A major in physics opens the door to a multitude of careers, including employment in industry, technology, and finance, and serves as the prerequisite degree for medical, dental and law school.

Typical Course Sequence

The physics courses beyond Year 1 can be completed in two years. Research is not required, but ample opportunities are available.

Fall Semester (16 credits) 
  • PHYS 221 + 221L Physics I - Mechanics + lab (5 cr)
  • EQ XXX Essential Questions Seminar (3 cr)
  • MATH 115 Calculus I (4 cr)
  • BRDG 101 Writing and Analysis (3 cr)
  • BRDG 100 Research & Info Skills (1 cr)

Spring Semester (17 credits) 
  • PHYS 222 + 222L Physics II - Electromagnetism + lab (5 cr)
  • CHEM 121 + 121L Chemistry I+ lab (may take in Fall) (5 cr)
  • Programming (3) COSC 160/170 Java/Python,DTSC 110 Data Science or ENGR 110 Matlab 
  • MATH 116 Calculus II (4 cr)
Fall Semester (14 credits) 
  • PHYS 302 Optics (3 cr)
  • PHYS 312 Optics Lab (1 cr)
  • MATH 310 Linear Algebra (3 cr)
  • MATH 215 Calculus III (4 cr)
  • BRDG 105 Intro to Ethical Reasoning (3 cr)

Spring Semester (15 credits) 
  • Experiential Learning (PHYS 340 UG research recommended) (1 cr)
  • MATH 314 Differential Equations (3 cr)
  • PHYS 374 Modern Physics (3 cr)
  • CHEM 122 + 122L Chemistry II + lab (3 cr)
  • General Elective (3 cr)
Fall Semester (16 credits) 
  • Physics Elective (4 cr)
  • Physics Elective (3 cr)
  • Bridges course - Cultural Fluency (3 cr)
  • Bridges course - Social & Historical Reasoning (3 cr)
  • MATH 301 Prob & Stats or General Elective (3 cr)

Spring Semester (13 credits) 
  • PHYS 105 Career Seminar (1 cr)
  • PHYS ____ Physics Elective (3 cr)
  • General Elective (3 cr)
  • BRDG 102 Writing and Literature (3 cr)
  • General Elective or MATH 308 Numerical Analysis (3 cr)
Fall Semester (15 credits)
  • Physics Elective (3 cr)
  • Bridges course - Ethical Reasoning (3 cr)
  • Communication Requirement - Scientific Writing or Technical Communication (3 cr)
  • General Elective (3 cr)
  • General Elective (Theology/Philosophy as needed) (3 cr)

Spring Semester (14 credits) 
  • PHYS 464 Advanced Lab (capstone) (2 cr)
  • Physics Elective (3 cr)
  • General Elective (3 cr)
  • General Elective (3 cr)
  • Bridges course - Critical Thinking (3 cr)
  • PHYS 332 Electronics (3 cr)
  • PHYS 350 Math Methods in Physics (3 cr) 
  • PHYS 401 Thermal Physics (4 cr)
  • PHYS 404 Solid State Physics (3 cr)
  • PHYS 405 Gravitational Astrophysics (3 cr)
  • PHYS 461 Mechanics (4 cr) 
  • PHYS 470 Electricity and Magnetism (3 cr)
  • PHYS 473 Electrodynamics (3 cr)
  • PHYS 474 Quantum Mechanics (3 cr)
  • PHYS 475 Advanced Quantum Mechanics (3 cr)
  • PHYS 482W Particle Physics (3 cr)
  • PHYS 485 Relativity (3 cr)
  • PHYS 491 Introductory Materials Science I (3 cr)
  • PHYS 502 Adv Optical Theory and Devices (3 cr)
  • PHYS 499W Senior Research (2 cr)
     

Learning Outcomes

At the successful conclusion of the bachelor of arts program, students will

  1. use fundamental physics laws and methods to solve problems.
  2. communicate effectively.
  3. function effectively on a team whose members establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives.
  4. develop and conduct appropriate experimentation.
  5. apply technical software and coding methods to physics problems.

Accreditation

MSCHE is 91制片厂鈥檚 institutional accreditor, recognized by the U.S. Department of Education for ensuring the highest standards of academic quality and integrity. This accreditation assures students that their learning experience meets nationally recognized standards of excellence, supports continuous improvement, and strengthens the value of their 91制片厂 degree both nationally and globally.

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