Bachelor of Science in Physics

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!

Careers:

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.
• Physicists become… physicists!

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

Many of our 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 Natial 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.  

Student Social Life: Society of Physics Students

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

• hosts social events like movie nights, game nights, 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, and
• organizes a career speakers series: speakers talk about their experiences following a physics degree.

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