What will you do as a physics major?
As a physics major, you will study our nationally recognized Paradigms in Physics curriculum which has reinvented the way students learn physics. Through the upper-division Paradigms curriculum, you’ll develop expertise in sub-fields of physics such as electromagnetism, thermal and statistical physics, thermodynamics and quantum mechanics. You will gain interdisciplinary, computational, core and applied physics knowledge and skills through a cutting-edge physics curriculum and acquire hands-on experience working in our laboratories. Eight options, from applied physics to geophysics, within the physics major will prepare you very well for competitive graduate programs as well as jobs in a wide variety of technical and related fields. You will have the freedom to explore and select a course of study that aligns with your academic interests and career goals. You will also write a physics thesis project to deepen your learning and enhance your problem-solving and technical skills in the field.
The flexible physics major offers both a B.S. and a B.A. in physics. The B.S. in physics is appropriate for those interested in careers in physics or a related area or in preparing for graduate study. In addition to required course, students pursuing a B.S. in physics will complete 22 credits of required and elective courses.
The B.A. degree requires fewer physics courses but more courses from the College of Liberal Arts; in addition, second-year proficiency in a foreign language is required for the B.A. degree.
Undergraduate research in physics
Nearly all physics’ students participate in undergraduate research internships at OSU and in labs all over the United States and the world. Our undergraduates have engaged in significant research projects in physics labs at OSU and at numerous other institutes such as the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Intel, Stanford University, General Atomics, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, and the Weizmann Institute in Israel. These immersive and rigorous research experiences are pivotal to the professional success of our students after they graduate.