B.S. in Physics

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Program Highlights

• Personal access to highly accomplished teaching faculty who serve as guides and mentors in and out of the classroom and lab.
• 81 major credit hours of rigorous undergraduate coursework that heavily incorporates experiential learning and scientific research. Our standard physics degree is excellent preparation for graduate study in physics or a technical career in industry, while our physics/computer degree options build a solid foundation in physics while preparing students for careers in computer design or software creation. For detailed course descriptions, refer to the College Catalog.
  • Physics core requirements to earn this bachelor of science degree include General Physics I and II – Engineering, Horizons in Physics, Electronics, Modern Physics, Intermediate Laboratory, Mechanics I, Electricity and Magnetism, Radiation Laboratory, Quantum Mechanics, and Intro to Stars, Galaxies, & Cosmology.
  • Physics elective options include Mechanics II, Optics, Thermodynamics & Statistical Mechanics, Radiation & Health Physics or Medical Imaging & Diagnostic Physics, Advanced Topics, and Computational Physics.
  • Technical core requirements include Chemistry for Engineering, Computer Programming I, Calculus I, II, and II, Differential Equations, Numerical Differential Equations, and Introduction to Theoretical Physics.
  • Technical elective options include various courses in astronomy, biology, chemistry, computer science, electrical and mechanical engineering, mathematics, and physics.
  • Regardless of your high school curriculum, you are welcome to major in physics and follow our program of courses to graduate in four years. However, a background in high school calculus is highly recommended before beginning our program, and some background in physics is advantageous as well.  
• Optional minors in medical physics and astronomy (rarely offered as a minor at most schools).
• Many research opportunities beginning freshman year to give you hands-on experience from the ground up, strengthen your teamwork and communication skills, and help you find your passsion.
  • Our students frequently present their research across the country at conferences and poster sessions, often pursuing publication in leading science and education journals.
  • As you conduct research, you will benefit from our extensive facilities (including two astronomical observatories) and cutting-edge equipment including a high-resolution fluorescence spectrometer, ultra-fast high-power infrared laser, several sputtering systems, atomic force microscope, Tescan Vega II scanning electron microscope with X-ray spectrometer, Micromanipulator 4600 probe station, oxygen plasma cleaner, profilometer, ellipsometer, quartz tube furnace, neutron howitzer, and much more.
• Summer research opportunities in a wide range of labs and institutions worldwide.
  • Grove City students have recently performed summer research with Los Alamos National Laboratory, Army Research Labs, InterSystems, Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, Notre Dame, Boston College, Cornell University, Purdue, and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, among others.
• Vocation-enriching humanities core classes woven into your academic schedule that will cultivate greater empathy, critical thinking, writing and other communication skills, and a well-rounded understanding of the world and your place in it.
• Major-related student groups on campus including the Grove City College Physics Club, in which you will have opportunities to build community with fellow physics students and grow in servant leadership.

Career Outcomes

• If you are like 96% of Grove City graduates, you will be ready to pursue graduate studies at some of the top schools nationwide or compete for full-time employment in a wide range of technical and non-technical fields.
  • Many of our graduates have gained admittance to high-quality programs at the University of Pennsylvania, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Oxford University, Johns Hopkins, Temple, Vanderbilt Medical Physics, University of Maryland, Georgia Tech, and Penn State.
  • Others are working with leading companies and institutions such as Westinghouse Electric, NSA, Intel, Google, Lockheed Martin, John’s Hopkins Research Lab, Edmund Optics, U.S. Army, U.S. Air Force, Prison Fellowship, and Lincoln Electric.
    • Common career areas include medical physics (diagnostic imaging, MRI research, radiation oncology), tech support, mathematical modeling of systems, petroleum science, operation of nuclear power plants, particle physics, optics research, sales for tech companies, scientific journalism, engineering, environmental science, renewable energy, aerospace, astrophysics, biotechnology, data analysis, and financial system modeling.
  • Beyond the physics industry, some of our graduates have obtained positions in law, ministry, and the medical field.
• With exceptional preparation in physics, excellent problem-solving skills, and a solidified sense of calling, you are sure to make a strong impression on employers and make a lasting impact wherever God leads you.

Physics Graduates in High Demand

According to the Statistical Research Center of the American Institute of Physics, physics graduates are in high demand across a variety of fields nationwide.

To learn more about physics and astronomy-related career opportunities, take advantage of the following resources.

• State-by-state listing of the many employers who recently hired physics graduates to fill science and engineering positions.
• Latest employment data showing the variety of work settings and positions in which physicists at different degree levels are employed.
• Statistical Research Center home page, where you can find current data on education and employment in physics, astronomy, and allied fields, including interactive resources, full reports, and individual graphs and tables.

Student & Alumni Stories

Caitlyn Williams '08
B.A. in Physics

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