Physics Bachelor's of Science Degree

Unlock the Secrets of the Universe

Examine the theories around energy and matter with faculty researchers who are making their mark in the physics world. Explore optics and photonics, the physics behind music, and more at an R1 flagship technological university where STEM is infused in everything we do and your opportunities to thrive are as boundless as our brilliant night skies.

Michigan Tech’s bachelor's of science degree in physics is for students interested in understanding how the universe works. You’ll learn in a close-knit and vibrant community of scholars working together with physicists around the world to find answers to questions like:

Where do the highest-energy cosmic rays come from?
Can nanotubes of boron nitride be used to make new electronic devices?
Why do some clouds rain while others don’t?
How can we build a better battery?

The bachelor's of science in physics is intended for students who want to take a traditional approach to the study of physics. Undergraduate physics training provides excellent preparation for a career in STEM or to pursue an advanced degree in many different fields.

Bachelor of Science vs Bachelor of Arts in Physics

If you’re looking to continue to grad school or a career in a physics field, a bachelor's of science degree in physics is your best option. You'll choose a focus area, which can include astrophysics, atmospheric physics, computational physics, experimental physics, or computational biophysics. You'll be prepared for lab- and research-based career paths or for careers in other areas like law or business.

If a future in labs and research isn’t for you, consider our bachelor of arts in physics—a degree that helps you build a foundation in physics while also pursuing other academic interests.

Colliding Minds, Exploding Ideas: A Collaborative Approach to Physics

Learning the principles of physics should not be the domain of a single department. Physics is all around us and applications abound. At Tech you will benefit from strong collaborations with other departments and institutes on campus, further strengthening your learning. Materials science and engineering; electrical and computer engineering; mechanical and aerospace engineering; and the Earth, Planetary, and Space Sciences Institute all have strong interdisciplinary connections with our department.

100%

of physics BS students conduct undergraduate research
No. 3
best college in Michigan
20

maximum class size in advanced-level major courses

Tomorrow Needs Talented Physicists

Demand is strong for individuals with a strong, quantitative education in physics, including high-level laboratory experience from undergraduate research. A bachelor's of science in physics prepares you for a successful career. You’ll graduate thoroughly prepared to find success in graduate school in physics or another STEM field, law or medical school, research labs, or a career in industries such as aeronautics, electronics, engineering, finance, or transportation.

Be Career Ready

Career Opportunities for Physics Majors

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports 5% growth in physics jobs. Your future career options are unlimited with a Bachelor of Science in Physics. Career opportunities can be found as:

Aerospace Engineer
Applications Developer
Business Analyst
Clinical Technologist
Computer Animation Specialist
Consultant
Data Analyst
Dentist
Electronics Technician
Energy Modeling Analyst
Medical Physicist
Programmer
Program Manager
Project Manager
Patent Attorney
Physician
Power Modeling Analyst
Radar Algorithms Engineer/Scientist
Research Assistant
Marine/Oceanographic Scientist
Nuclear Instructor
Scientific and Computational Manager
Software Test Engineer
Systems Engineer
Teacher/Professor
Technical Writer
Water Engineer
Veterinarian

Companies Hiring Physics Majors

The growing list of companies hiring Michigan Tech physics majors includes:

Argonne National Lab
Aurora Energy Research
Dow Corning
General Motors
IR Telemetrics
KBR, Inc.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology Lincoln Lab
Maxar Technologies
Naval Surface Warfare Center
Northrop Grumman
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
RWE
Stabilux Technologies
US Navy

Graduate Schools Accepting Tech Physics Majors

The growing list of colleges and universities accepting physics majors includes:

Duke University
Eastern Michigan University
Georgia Tech
Michigan State University
Montana State University
Oregon Health and Science University
Pennsylvania State University
University of Arizona
University of Central Florida
University of Chicago
University of Colorado Boulder
University of Idaho
University of Minnesota Duluth
University of Notre Dame

Ready to take the next step?

Learn more about studying physics at Michigan's flagship technological university.

Preview image for Physics at Michigan Tech video

"Unlike other colleges, the class size of physics is small. So you get one-on-one time with the professor."Noah Wilson '23, BS Physics

My time at MTU was a great experience for me. I gained many practical skills—both from the classroom material and college life—as well as met some amazing people. Professors were generally supportive and genuinely cared about your success, the lounge provided a great place for me and my peers to work together on studying and homework, and research opportunities were always easily accessible.

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Daniel Koshar '23

BS Physics

Study Physics at a Technological University

Gain foundational knowledge and understand the behavior of matter and energy. Develop analytical and quantitative skills required to succeed in graduate school or the job market.

Get personalized attention: With an average incoming class of 20 physics majors, your professors know you individually and understand your interests and needs. You receive the 1:1 guidance you need in a timely fashion.
Applied learning: Design your own application area and explore interdisciplinary connections. Recent application areas include computational mathematics, planetary science, aerospace engineering, and nanotechnology. Or apply your interest in physics to practical problems with the Enterprise Program—teams of undergraduate students working on real-world products and research for industry.
Customize your physics education: Make yourself more marketable in the eyes of prospective employers. Applied Physics pairs well with mathematics, computer science, electrical engineering, materials science, and engineering majors. You can add one of two physics minors in astrophysics or nanoscale physics to further your specialization. Or diversify your degree with any of the other 80+ minors offered at Michigan Tech.
Get paid for summer research: A commitment to undergraduate research experience gives our students an edge. As soon as the summer after your first year, join one of manyresearch groups and turn your growing knowledge into practical experience under the guidance of a faculty member in our state-of-the-art labs.
Physics study abroad: Visit international research labs like CERN, home of the Large Hadron Collider, the most powerful particle accelerator ever built.

Tomorrow Needs You

Supercharge your analytical skills to meet the demands of a technology-driven society at a flagship public research university powered by science, technology, engineering, and math. Graduate with the theoretical knowledge and practical experience needed to solve real-world problems and succeed in academia, research, and tomorrow's high-tech business landscape.

College of Sciences and Arts

The College of Sciences and Arts is a community of faculty, staff, and students committed to excellence and driven by our passion for education, outreach, research, and creativity across the social and natural sciences, humanities, and the arts. Uniquely situated in the heart of Michigan's R1 flagship technological university, we specialize in human-centered potential and discovery-based learning designed to meet the challenges of today and tomorrow. Knowing that every student at Michigan Tech will pass through our doors, our college strives to be at the forefront of interdisciplinary collaborations that lead to breakthrough solutions.

Our students gain a profound understanding of social and cultural contexts through experiential learning and innovative research. We welcome you to be part of our caring, expansive college community, with 32 undergraduate and 24 graduate degrees to choose from.

The opportunities in Michigan Tech's College of Sciences and Arts are limitless. Transform into a civic leader ready to contribute to a sustainable future. Lead and participate in action-based experiences that are critical to the start of a fulfilling career. Job-shadow at a local hospital or veterinary clinic while preparing for a career in health. Design sound and lighting for a regional production. Conduct community forums on the implications of artificial intelligence. Work to purify vaccines. Study the impact of social media on society. Research the mysteries of space and galaxies beyond our universe. Explore transforming abandoned iron and copper mines into giant batteries. Understand freshwater ecosystem health. Document the nature of changes in cognitive function and motor behavior in aging and dementia.

At Michigan Tech, your academic growth is supported by a variety of learning centers, along with our Humanities Digital Media Zone and Writing Center. Model climate in the only cloud chamber of its kind. Take part in interdisciplinary health research in our state-of-the-art H-STEM Complex. Create amazing sights and sounds in our visual art, sound, and theatre performance spaces.

Undergraduate Majors in Physics

Not sure which major is the right fit? No problem. Browse the entire list of College of Sciences and Arts majors. Or, give yourself time and declare the General Sciences and Arts major, which lets you decide when you arrive on campus. To learn more, speak to an academic advisor.

"I chose to study physics at Tech because I was excited about the research opportunities and personal connections available within the department."Austin West '23, BS Physics