Overview
Physics at SIUE
Immediate application of new physics knowledge is not what drives physicists, but rather, an inherent curiosity about everything around them. Physics explores the big questions about the universe, and students who are motivated, curious, mathematical, inventive, and wish to explore these big questions will find their place at SIUE. Students in the College of Arts and Sciences are taught by world-class scholars in state-of-the-art laboratories, with small class sizes to help ensure that students are not just faces in a crowded lecture hall. In the Department of Physics, students are welcomed into a community of faculty committed to providing the best education possible.
Degrees Available at SIUE
- Bachelor of Science in Physics
Specializations
Career Opportunities
Earning a bachelor’s degree in physics can open many doors. Throughout the United States, approximately one-third of students graduating with degrees in physics go on to graduate school to continue their education in physics or other science disciplines. Our graduates have recently gone on to pursue their education at the University of Arizona, the University of Colorado Boulder, and the University of New Mexico, as well as other quality programs. Some students, finding the rigor of physics excellent preparation for professional schools, pursue advanced education opportunities in medicine or law.
Career opportunities for students earning degrees in physics are available in the public and private sector. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, expected growth in federal government spending for physics research should increase the need for physicists - especially at colleges, universities and national laboratories. In the private sector, students find that their breadth of technical knowledge is welcomed across many sectors of industry. Currently, our alumni hold positions at Boeing, Caterpillar, in the military, and in other companies around the world.
While the Department of Physics does not offer a teaching degree, the Bachelor of Science curriculum can be customized to prepare students for teacher certification at a later time.
