Physics Majors and Minors

Physics Majors and Minors

Physics Major

The Department of Engineering-Physics-Systems offers a cross-disciplinary program in physics that combines the traditional physics program with courses in systems science. The program is designed to build skills in problem solving, planning, and technical management while preparing students for a variety of career and/or graduate study options. A student’s first four semesters will provide three semesters of introduction to physics and a semester of introduction to mechanics. In the final four semesters, the student will take upper level physics courses that are required for the major.

Physics majors are required to engage in two or more semesters of research and are also encouraged to pursue an undergraduate thesis project or internship. Students are awarded a B.S. degree in applied physics. 

Physics major in the course catalog

Career possibilities for physics majors:

• Medicine
• Research
• Forensics
• Technical writer
• Data analyst
• Statistician
• Engineering
• Business
• Law

Physics/Secondary Education Major

The physics/secondary education major is offered for students interested in teaching at the high school level. This course of study has been carefully crafted to include the courses required for the secondary education certification as well as a solid base of knowledge in physics. A student following this course of study is well prepared to teach physics at the secondary level. The first semester of study s/he will take physics courses. In the second year of study education courses will be integrated into the students schedule along with physics courses. During the third year of study, the student will finish his/her physics courses. In the student’s final year of study the student will be able to student teach and any other courses the student takes will be education courses.

The program requires that a student must take a basic skills test which is mandated by the Rhode Island Department of Education, maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5, and a minimum 2.0 average in Physics major courses. The student will be awarded a B.A. degree in physics with an emphasis in secondary education.

Physics/secondary education minor in the course catalog

Physics Minor

In order to be a physics minor, a student must take 5 physics courses. The student is required to take the three-semester long introductory to physics, i.e. general physics 1 and 2 and modern physics. Then the student must take two additional physics courses of their choice. 

Physics minor in the course catalog