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Contact: physics@ltu.edu 

Why Choose Physics?

Physics is one of the best degrees to prepare you for the technological jobs that haven’t been invented yet!

Physicists not only do PHYSICS, which is COOL in itself, if we may say so! They can also pursue and land jobs in countless other fields. Come and talk to our faculty, students and alumni and you will be convinced.

  • Physicists become engineers.
  • Physicists become project leaders.
  • Physicists become software developers.
  • Physicists become data analysts.
  • Physicists become “quants” (financial analysts).
  • Physicists become medical doctors.
  • Physicists become “medical physicists” (medical imaging and radiology)
  • Physicists become lawyers.

Physics has application in many of the most exciting careers in our increasingly technological world. It may surprise you that physics degrees open pathways not just to working on SpaceX rockets autonomously landing themselves on drone sea ships, but also to medicine, law, and financial analysis. 

According to the American Institute of Physics, students with bachelor degrees in physics are among the highest scorers on both the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) and the Law School Admission Test (LSAT).

The Association of American Medical Colleges reports that students with undergraduate degrees in physical sciences are tied for the highest acceptance rate (48%) for medical school.

As society becomes ever more data driven, every company wants to do data analysis and modeling. Physicists have always led the world in this area. For example, it’s very common for physicists to work on Wall Street.

Physics is the broadest of the sciences and offers interdisciplinary compatibility with many other areas of science, math, and engineering. Many of our graduates find themselves as team and project leaders in diverse industries because their broad knowledge base enables them to communicate to different technical groups. Don’t forget that physics is also the path to understanding the largest and smallest mysteries of the universe. Train for your career in physics, engineering, medicine, law, or computer science, and at the same time we will learn why the sky is blue and the sun is yellow, and why we cannot travel back in time.


About Physics Programs at LTU:

LTU offers two physics programs:

  • Physics
  • Physics with a concentration in Computer Science     

While we offer traditional courses like Electromagnetic Fields, Quantum Mechanics, Thermal and Statistical Physics, we also focus on “hands-on” application of physics. To learn experimentation, our students have built their own instruments to levitate objects with sound, to measure the speed of a shockwave of an explosion, to visualize turbulent air currents, and more.

 Customize your degree for interdisciplinary interests: take electives in 

  • Math (ask about the double degree program with Mathematical Sciences)
  • Computer Science (ask about the concentration in Computer Science)
  • Chemistry
  • Biology
  • Engineering

Many LTU students do double majors, increasing greatly their chances for landing their dream job, or acceptance into graduate school and a program of choice. We can help you pick courses tailored to you. You can prepare for graduate school in physics, engineering, medicine, law, etc, or you can prepare to go straight into the tech world.

 We will help you get summer internships or research opportunities to fit your interests. 


About our faculty:
 

The physics faculty has experts in several areas including 

  • Astrophysics and Cosmology
  • High Energy Particle Physics
  • Nuclear Physics
  • Optics
  • Solid State Physics 

We currently have opportunities for research assistantships supported by the National Science Foundation. These opportunities pay $15 per hour and provide the possibility for participation in real research publications and paid travel to conferences all over the world.  


Society of Physics Students

LTU has an active, award-winning, Society of Physics Students (SPS) that

  • Hosts social events like movie nights, game nights, and field trips
  • Promotes science outreach with demonstration events, invited expert scientist speakers
  • Offers study support with study groups and shared experiences of academic hurdles
  • Investigates career opportunities by sharing scholarship and internship opportunities, finding graduate schools with programs in interesting topics
  • Organizes a career speakers series: speakers talk about their experiences following a physics degree

Contact us to set virtual tours and meetings or even on-campus visits:
physics@ltu.edu




Green Formulas

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CONTACT :

NATURAL SCIENCE DEPARTMENT

Bachelor of Science in Physics Flowchart 2023PDF 

Bachelor of Science in Physics + Mathematical Sciences [DUAL] Flowchart 2023 PDF 

The 126 credit-hour physics program consists of:

First Semester

Course Number Subject Cr. Hrs.
PSC 1161 Introduction to Science 1
COM 1103 College Composition (Placement) 3
CHM 1213 University Chemistry 1 (Placement) 3
CHM 1221 University Chemistry 1 Lab 1
MCS 1414 Calculus 1 (Placement) 4
PHY 1213 Astronomy 3
PHY 1221 Astronomy Lab 1
   TOTAL 16
     

Second Semester

Course Number Subject Cr. Hrs.
PHY 2413 University Physics 1 3
PHY 2421 University Physics 1 Lab 1
MCS 1142 Intro to C 2
LLT 1213 World Masterpieces 1 3
MCS 1424 Calculus 2 4
SSC 2423 Development of American Experience 3
   TOTAL 16

First Semester

Course Number Subject Cr. Hrs.
PHY 2423 University Physics 2 3
PHY 2431 University Physics 2 Lab 1
MCS 2414 Calculus 3 4
COM 2103 Technical and Prof. Communication 3
SSC 2423 Development of American Experience 3
   TOTAL 14

Second Semester

Course Number Subject Cr. Hrs.
PHY 3653 Contemporary Physics 3
PHY 3661 Contemporary Physics Lab 1
MCS 2423 Differential Equations 3
MCS 3863 Linear Algebra 3
LLT 1223 World Masterpieces 2 3
SSC/PSY XXX3 SSC/PSY Elective 3
   TOTAL 16

First Semester

Course Number Subject Cr. Hrs.
PHY 3414* Analytical Mechanics* 4
PHY 3574 Electricity and Magnetism 4
Special Electives (3 of 12 total) 3
MCS 3403 Probability and Statistics 3
MCS 3413 or
MCS 3723
Advanced Engineering Math or
Advanced Calculus
 
3
   TOTAL 17

Second Semester

Course Number Subject Cr. Hrs.
Special Electives  3
PHY 4724* Quantum Mechanics* 4
EEE 2114 Circuits 1 4
EEE 2111 Circuits 1 Lab 1
PSC 3002 Leadership in Sci. Research (Jr.) 2
LLT XXX3 Jr./Sr. LLT Elective 3
   TOTAL 17

First Semester

Course Number Subject Cr. Hrs.
PHY 4763* Thermal Physics* 3
PHY 4912 Physics Project 1 (Sr) 2
SSC/PSY 3/4XX3 SSC/PSY Jr./Sr. Elective 3
  Special Electives  6
   TOTAL 14

Second Semester

Course Number Subject Cr. Hrs.
PHY 4843* Condensed Matter Physics* 3
PHY 4743* Optics, Lasers, and Microscopy* 3
PHY 4781* Optics, Lasers, and Microscopy Lab* 1
PHY 4922 Physics Project 2 (Sr) 2
  Special Electives (6 of 12 total) 6
   TOTAL 15

*These courses are offered every two years. An individual plan of work will be developed in consultation with the student's advisor.

Water splash Natural Science Careers

Careers

While most Physicists work in research and development or for the federal government, some may find work in quality control, inspection, testing, or other production-related fields. Those who hold a bachelor’s degree are often employed as research assistants or technicians.

Graduates may also qualify for positions related to engineering, mathematics, and computer science.

Find work in these fields

Acoustics
Astronomy
Biomedical Engineering
Geophysics
Government
Health Science
Lasers and Holography
Metallurgy
Meteorology
Nuclear Medicine
Seismology