Undergraduate Studies
The objective of physics is to discover the basic laws that govern the universe and to understand how these laws lead to the wide variety of phenomena in the world around us. The interplay between theory and experiment in physics is the driving force that leads to a progressively greater understanding, as experimental results force a continued refinement of the underlying theoretical models, which in turn raise new questions to be tested in experiments.
Physics graduates pursue a variety of careers including teaching, industrial and governmental research, and academic careers that combine teaching and research. A truly multidisciplinary field, physics encompasses concepts that are naturally applied to outstanding problems in geology, biology, chemistry, and other disciplines. Exciting areas of research open to active participation by undergraduates include high-energy particle physics that attempts to unravel the fundamental building blocks of matter, the study of atoms, molecules, and nuclei, the behavior of matter in condensed states, the organization of systems into higher levels of complexity, the physics of biological systems, and astrophysical investigations that probe the vastness of space and time.
Degree Requirements
BA RequirementsBS Requirements
Engineering Physics Requirements
Physics Minor Requirements
Careers in Physics
Report on careers for bachelors degree in physics: AIP Report (pdf format)
Recent Arizona hirings of physics bachelors: AIP information (external link)
Profiles of physicists in industry: AIP profiles (external link)
Undergraduate Student Council
The Undergraduate Student Council serves as a conduit between the Department of Physics and the undergraduate Physics majors.
