Best Physics Degrees

Overview

A forerunner in the STEM field, the University of Michigan is known as the oldest university in the state. It is located in Ann Arbor, and enrolls close to 30,000 undergraduates every year. You’ll jump right into the research mentality at the University of Michigan as an undergraduate. It’s ranked as having “very high research activity” by the Carnegie Foundation.

Program Highlights

Undergraduate physics students at the University of Michigan Ann Arbor have lots of options. They can complete the B.S. in Physics, the Interdisciplinary B.S. in Physics, the Honors degree in Physics, or the Teacher Certification in Physics. Beyond the shared core classes in physics, students can take some of the following courses:

• Optics
• Biocomplexity
• Waves, Heat, and Light
• Introduction to Modern Physics

Notables

Students in this program also get a chance to set out on their own research. Funded by the National Science Foundation, students are given funding for summer research projects. The University of Michigan also hosts a Women in Science and Engineering (WISE) program.

Overview

Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) is a public research institution in Atlanta, Georgia. It is ranked 7th in the United States among other public national universities. Georgia Tech especially excels in the STEM fields, physics being one of them.

Program Highlights

Regarded as one of the largest undergraduate physics majors in the US, the program at Georgia Tech hosts around 123 students in the major. In addition to a B.S. in Physics, you can earn a Certificate in Astrophysics. The curriculum at Georgia Tech gets down to the basics of the field with classes like:

• Differential Equations
• Electrostatics & Magnetism
• Computational Physics
• Classical Mechanics

Notables

Undergraduate research is a gem of this program. Currently, physics undergraduates are working on developing a position-sensitive cosmic-ray detector. Others are studying photon detectors for future gamma-ray instruments. The possibilities are endless!

Overview

A historical, Ivy League school, Yale University harkens back to 1701. It is the third-oldest university in the country and is recognized on a global scale. The Physics department at Yale ranks 11th in the nation, according to US News & World Report.

Program Highlights

At Yale you’ll choose between the B.S. in Physics or the B.S. in Physics with an intensive major. This means you add on advanced study in a related subject like mathematics or engineering. Yale also has top-of-the-line lab equipment. Students have access to measurement tools like the 1 MeV Van de Graaff proton accelerator. Some classes in this program include:

• Modern Physical Measurement
• Gravity, Astrophysics, and Cosmology
• Quantum Mechanics
• Classical Physics from Newton to Einstein

Notables

Yale hosts strong student organizations in its Physics department. For example, the Yale Women in Physics hosts frequent symposiums and meetings. Every year, they participate in the Northeast Conference for Undergraduate Women in Physics to connect with other women in STEM.

Overview

A Midwestern gem, the University of Chicago is located in one of the best cities in the country. With over 140 operating research institutes on campus, the school lives up to its status as a “high research activity” institution. The Enrico Fermi Institute is just one of the many research centers catered towards physics undergraduates.

Program Highlights

The physics curriculum at the University of Chicago is designed around the B.A. in Physics. However, students can branch off into specialties, like astrophysics and advanced mathematics. This program takes particular care of its students; the Climate Committee is a group that tends to specific student needs. Some of classes you’ll take as an undergraduate are:

• Paradoxes in Modern Physics
• Exoplanets
• Everyday Physics
• Matter, Energy, Space, and Time

Notables

Undergraduate research for physics students at the University of Chicago have access to amazing facilities and laboratories. Students in the past have pursued research in the following areas: condensed matter physics, soft matter, cosmology, particle physics, and more.

Overview

Recognized as a private, Ivy League institution, the University of Pennsylvania is also a historical pillar. It was founded in 1740—even before the American Revolution! This Philadelphian university ranks 8th in the country, according to US News & World Report.

Program Highlights

At the University of Pennsylvania, the undergraduate curriculum combines physics and astronomy into a joint major. This gives you a strategic breadth of knowledge in the field. All physics students take a handful of shared core classes. Within the major, then, you can specialize in one of five concentrations:

• Advanced Physical Theory and Experimental Techniques
• Chemical Principles
• Computer Techniques
• Astrophysics
• Business and Technology

Notables

Through organizations like the Penn Physics and Astronomy Club, undergraduates find a sense of community. The program also hosts a number of seminars, colloquiums, and lectures within the department. Undergraduates at UPenn also get to research alongside the 37 faculty members.

Overview

Located in central Iowa, Grinnell College is a well-known liberal arts school. It has a fairly small student body, with 1,705 full-time students. Because of Grinnell’s small setting, it promotes close relationships between faculty members and students.

Program Highlights

The B.A. in Physics at Grinnell College combines classical physics with modern research. If you’re interested in focusing your physics degree in engineering, you can take the 3-2 joint program. Or you could choose to focus in astronomy. Some of the shared core classes include:

• Optics Wave Phenomena
• Solid State Physics
• Computational Physics
• The Universe and Its Structure

Notables

Over half of the student body at Grinnell take advantage of off-campus research opportunities. The program offers dozens of locations around the world, including London, Istanbul, Amsterdam, and more. Back on campus, Grinnell physics students also have great opportunities, like access to the Grant O. Gale Observatory and telescope.

Overview

A powerhouse school of the west, the University of California Berkeley (or UC Berkeley) is regarded as the 3rd best national university by US News & World Report. UC Berkeley excels in research and innovation. Its Physics and Astronomy department ranks 5th in the world by QS World University Rankings.

Program Highlights

The physics program at UC Berkeley draws from a legacy of Nobel-Prize-winning faculty members. Students begin the curriculum with common core classes, and end with independent research projects. Some of the content that you can expect to explore covers the following:

• Modern Atomic Physics
• Relativistic Astrophysics and Cosmology
• Quantum and Nonlinear Optics
• Analytic Mechanics

Notables

UC Berkeley has a plethora of resources available to its physics students who are interested in research: the Berkeley Center for Cosmological Physics, the Center of Integrated Nanomechanical Systems, the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, and more.

Overview

Located on the border of Missouri and Illinois, Washington University in St. Louis is a 4-year research institution. Academic research is king at Washington University, with all faculty members active in their fields. The campus is host to NASA’s Planetary Data System Geosciences Node, a bonus for physics students.

Program Highlights

The physics program at Washington University gives you lots of options—in every way! The major in Physics is a given, but they also offer a minor in Astrophysics, Astroparticle Physics, and Biophysics. Likewise, the four main research subjects at Washington University give you lots of room for exploration:

• Astrophysics and Space Science
• Condensed Matter and Materials Physics
• Biological and Biomedical Physics
• High Energy and Nuclear Physics

Notables

Because the physics department at Washington University is fairly small, students can easily join a tight-knit research group. These groups are made up of both faculty and students. Many research groups end up presenting their findings at the American Physical Society.

Overview

Carnegie Mellon University is one of Pittsburgh’s treasures. Founded at the start of the 20th century, it began as an institute of technology, specializing in the sciences. The Mellon College of Science hosts the Physics Department. It also is the site for new study in green chemistry, cosmology, and biophysics.

Program Highlights

The undergraduate physics program at Carnegie Mellon covers everything from basic physics concepts to advanced theory. If you’re interested in cosmology, Carnegie Mellon is a perfect place. They recently launched the Bruce and Astrid McWilliams Center for Cosmology. Here’s a smattering of other classes you can expect to take:

• Matter and Interactions
• Physics of Musical Sound
• Intermediate Optics
• Extragalactic Astrophysics and Cosmology

Notables

Physics undergraduate students at Carnegie Mellon have proved their knowledge after graduation through their merit. Some have even gone on to win top honors like Goldwater Scholarships, Rhodes Scholarships, and more.

Overview

Carleton College is a top-ranking liberal arts school in Minnesota. Because of its small student body (around 2,000 enrolled) class sizes tend to be around 17 students. The Physics department has around 22 new students per year, and enjoy the expert instruction of its 8 faculty members.

Program Highlights

At Carleton College, physics and astronomy are inseparable. The Goodsell Observatory, equipped with Meade Schmidt-Cassegrain LX200s, is an amazing resource for star-searchers. Students take a blend of physics and astronomy courses to fulfill their degree requirements:

• Analytical Computational Mechanics
• Medical Physics
• Astrophysics
• Observational and Laboratory Astronomy

Notables

The rate of students from Carleton who go on to get a Ph.D. in physics is quite high; in fact, Carleton ranks 1st in the country among other baccalaureate schools in that category. Carleton grads are also high-achievers in the working world, receiving Churchill Scholarships, National Science Foundation Graduate School Fellowships, and more.

Overview

Smack dab in the middle of Manhattan, New York University (NYU) is a vibrant research university with a lot to offer. With over 25,000 undergraduates, NYU reaches students across the globe. It has locations in Shanghai, Berlin, London, Sydney—just to name a few!

Program Highlights

New York University offers physics aficionados with two degrees: a B.A. in Physics or a B.S. in Physics. In addition, if you have an interest in engineering, you can undertake the joint B.S./B.S. program for a double major. With a school as established as NYU, the options are truly endless. Here are some class you can look forward to taking:

• Physics and Astronomy in the Renaissance
• Sound and Music
• Condensed Matter Physics
• Classical and Quantum Waves

Notables

The NYU Society of Physics Students is a perfect way to not only dive into your field, but also connect with your peers. They host regular soirees and meetings, as well as the Undergraduate Lecture Series. Even more, the mentorship program connects upperclassmen with incoming first-years to make a smooth transition into the physics department.

Overview

One of the oldest public universities in the country, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC) was established in 1789. The public research university is home to the Morehead Planetarium and Science Center, which has been used for NASA trainings, student research, and public outreach.

Program Highlights

The University of North Carolina’s status as a research hub gives physics students ample opportunity to dive into cutting-edge research. In fact, the school is ranked 8th in the country for research activity. Through the B.A. or B.S. in Physics at UNC, you’ll get the chance to explore core physics, mathematics, and astronomy concepts. Here are some course selections:

• Experimental Techniques in Physics
• Electromagnetism
• Thermal Physics
• Calculus of Functions of Several Variables

Notables

If you’re ready to jump right into research, UNC is the perfect spot for you. Last year, a record number of 8 faculty members won the National Science Foundation’s Early Career Development Award. Right now, students in the physics department are working on radioenvironmental studies with a pairspectrometer—that could be you!

Overview

The College of William & Mary is the second-oldest university in the country. Founded in 1693, it educated three presidents (Jefferson, Monroe, and Tyler). It excels in the STEM fields, and offers joint undergraduate programs in Scotland and Washington, DC.

Program Highlights

At the College of William & Mary, research is king. Physics students cover atomic, computational, optical, condensed matter research, and more. The department also maintains a relationship with the NASA-Langley Research Center. You can earn either a standard physics degree or a pre-med physics degree. Some shared classes include:

• Electricity and Magnetism
• Experimental Modern Physics
• Electronics
• Atomic Physics

Notables

The research opportunities at the College of William & Mary fall into five categories: atomic molecular and optical physics, condensed matter physics, nuclear and hadronic physics, high energy physics, and nonlinear physics. If you’re interested in lasers, magnets, or high-velocity telescopes, you’ve found the right school!

Overview

The University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin) is a large public research institution that enrolls around 40,000 undergraduates annually. It operates the McDonald Observatory, and physics students get to use the telescopes, infrared spectra, and lunar laser technology that it offers. UT Austin is known for leading the country in physical science research.

Program Highlights

The University of Texas at Austin takes a slightly different approach to their degree program. Within the Department of Physics, you can earn a Bachelor of Science degree in one of 7 areas: Physics, Computation, Radiation Physics, Space Sciences, Teaching, Physics Honors, or Biophysics. Some of the core courses include:

• Classical Dynamics
• Modern Physics and Thermodynamics
• Nuclear Reactor Operations and Engineering
• Quantum Physics

Notables

UT Austin has a thriving undergraduate community within the Department of Physics. The Freshman Research Initiative gets underclassmen involved in research from the get-go. The Undergraduate Women in Physics Society meets weekly to promote gender equality in the STEM fields.

Overview

Colby College is a small, liberal arts school in Waterville, Maine. It may be small, but it makes big waves in terms of reputation. US News & World Report named it the 12th best liberal arts school in the country. Colby College promotes independent research as well as cross-cultural study.

Program Highlights

The Department of Physics and Astronomy at Colby College delivers their undergraduate degrees in a number of different forms. Beyond the major in physics, you can minor in astrophysics or astronomy. Even more, if you’re interested in engineering, you can pursue the joint program in tandem with Dartmouth College and Columbia University. Some classes in the major include:

• Electromagnetism and Optics
• Galaxies and Cosmology
• Nuclear Magnetic Resonance
• Experimental Soft Matter Physics

Notables

As a whole, Colby College encourages independent thought and research from its students. This is no different in the Department of Physics. Students can jump into research projects from the following areas: atomic, molecular, and optical physics, condensed-matter physics, theoretical physics, astronomy, and more.