College of Science

Physics

  1. What sets Purdue's program apart?

  2. What can I do with a Physics degree from Purdue?

  3. How should I prepare for the Physics program in high school?

  4. What courses will I take as a Physics student?

1. What sets Purdue's program apart? (top)

From specializations in nanotechnology to astrophysics, to having its own particle accelerator on campus, the Department of Physics at Purdue University has a lot to offer undergraduate students. Although the department is one of the largest in the U.S. , classes average 30 or fewer students, and every freshman is paired with a faculty mentor. Undergraduate research is strongly encouraged; on-campus internships are available as early as your second semester, and the department has research internship arrangements with over 100 off-campus sites. There are eight different specialization options:

2. What can I do with a Physics degree from Purdue? (top)

Approximately half of the graduates continue immediately to graduate school in widely varied areas from physics to engineering to medicine to geology to management. However, there are also many options for those wanting to enter the work force. Graduates have worked as process designers and engineers, systems analysts, patent examiner; exploration geophysicists, orbital mechanics physicists, and national accelerator physicist. Average starting salaries in the field are between $30,000 and $50,000.

Read more about recent graduates from the Careers site.

3. How should I prepare for the Physics program in high school? (top)

You should make it a point to take calculus, chemistry, physics and a wide variety of science courses. Continue taking your foreign language and writing courses.

4. What courses will I take as a Physics student? (top)

In your first two years, you will take courses covering Mechanics, Kinematics and Conservation Laws, Electricity and Magnetism, and Modern Physics. You will also take general chemistry, organic chemistry, English composition, three semesters of calculus, and foreign language courses. Later in the curriculum, you will also be required to take:

Typical Freshman Year Coursework

Semester one:

PHYS 172 (H), Mechanics, 4 credit hours

CHM 115, General Chemistry I, 4 credit hours

MA 161 or 165, Calculus I and Analytical Geometry, 4-5 credit hours

ENGL 106, English Composition, 4 credit hours

Total: 16 to 17 credit hours

Semester two:

PHYS 272 (H), Electricitu and Magnetism, 4 credit hours

CHM 116, General Chemistry II, 4 credit hours

MA 162 or 166, Calculus II and Analytical Geometry, 4-5 credit hours

Foreign Language, 3-4 credit hours

Total: 15 to 17 credit hours

* Students must earn a minimum of 124 credit hours to graduate, which is an average of 15.5 credit hours / per semester.

 

Science at Purdue

By phone: 765.494.1771 or 800.804.8061
By web: www.science.purdue.edu
Department of Physics: www.physics.purdue.edu
By email: advising@science.purdue.edu (for advisors)
ScienceQuestion@purdue.edu (for current students)