
Bachelor's Degree in Physics
If you have an interest in a successful career in physics, engineering, mathematics, or teaching high school physics, UC’s bachelor’s in physics degree program is for you. You’ll cultivate critical-thinking skills, apply physical principles, develop skills in experimental physics, and extend your math knowledge. As you develop these cognitive skills, you’ll also explore professional and ethical responsibilities to society.
- Mission and Goals
- What Careers are available for a Physics Degree?
- Degree Requirements for a Physics Degree
- More Information on Physics Degree
Mission and Goals
The mission of the physics degree program at UC is to provide a solid foundation for students to pursue successful careers in physics, engineering, mathematics, secondary education and other related fields. Physics majors cultivate critical-thinking skills, apply physical principles, develop skills in experimental physics and extend their mathematical prowess. As a physics major, students also learn to recognize their professional and ethical responsibilities to society.
What Careers are available for a Physics Degree?
Physicists are problem-solvers, and this goes well beyond a capacity for solving “word problems” in a textbook. As a physics degree holder, you have the ability to pursue a variety of exciting and rewarding careers that don’t necessarily have “physics” in the job title. From education to medicine to industry, whether you get a BS in physics or BA in physics, the variety of physics degree jobs open up to you as a physics major can include:
PHYSICISTS1
Physicists are problem solvers. They investigate phenomena, develop theories and test through experimentation. With a degree in physics from University of the Cumberlands, you’ll have the skills you need to pursue a job as a physicist, research physicist or research scientist. Job growth in the industry is projected to grow 8 percent by 2030, with an annual average wage of $147,450.
EDUCATION – TEACHER2,3
With the right certification, you could teach high school physics, a field projected to grow 8 percent over the next several years, averaging a median salary of $61,820 a year. Or pass along what you’ve learned to an older student base and teach at a college or university level. With a median annual salary of $79,640, employment of postsecondary teachers is projected to grow 12 percent over the next decade.
NATURAL SCIENCES MANAGER4
Or use your education as a springboard into the field of scientific study as a Natural Sciences Manager where the salary averages $137,900 per year.
CAREERS
- Biophysics Scientist
- Physicist
- Research Scientist
- Physics Teacher
- Science Teacher
- Physics Professor
- Laboratory Manager
- Natural Sciences Manager
- Environmental Program Manager
- Health Sciences Manager
- Physicist
- Postsecondary Physics Teacher
- Secondary School Physics Teacher (with appropriate certification)
- Analyst
"$147,450" Median Annual Pay for Physicists1
1Physicists and Astronomers
2High School Teachers
3Postsecondary Teachers
4Natural Sciences Managers
If you would like more information about careers in physics, here are some helpful sites:
- Society of Physics Students – Careers Using Physics
- American Physical Society – The Physics Career Resource
- Physics Today – Jobs
- Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook – Physicists and Astronomers
Degree Requirements for a Physics Degree
Bachelor of Science with a Major in Physics
REQUIREMENTS FOR THE BACHELOR OF SCIENCE WITH A MAJOR IN PHYSICS – 54 semester hours as follows:
36 semester hours in physics:
Core (17 hours)
- PHYS 241 Physics I
- PHYS 242 Physics II
- PHYS 335 Quantum Physics
- PHYS 340 Classical Physics
- PHYS 410 Ethics in Science
- PHYS 419 Physics Capstone
Theory (minimum 12 hours)
- PHYS 430 Classical Mechanics
- PHYS 431 Electromagnetism
- PHYS 436 Lasers
- PHYS 439 Applications of Nuclear Physics
- PHYS 490 Selected Topics in Physics
Experiment (7 hours)
- PHYS 312 Experimental Design and Analysis
- PHYS 332 Experimental Physics I
- PHYS 432 Experimental Physics II
18 semester hours of support courses:
Mathematics (15 hours)
Programming (3 hours)
Bachelor of Arts in Physics
Completion of the requirements for the Bachelor of Science degree plus a world language through the intermediate level.
Minor in Physics
REQUIREMENTS FOR A MINOR IN PHYSICS – 34 hours
The physics minor is for students to complement their major field of study. Students in mathematics and chemistry will find that physics will strengthen and broaden their understanding of these disciplines.
22 semester hours in physics:
Core (16 hours)
- PHYS 241 Physics I
- PHYS 242 Physics II
- PHYS 335 Quantum Physics
- PHYS 340 Classical Physics
- PHYS 410 Ethics in Science
Elective (minimum 6 hours)
- PHYS 332 Experimental Physics I
- PHYS 430 Classical Mechanics
- PHYS 431 Electromagnetism
- PHYS 436 Lasers
- PHYS 439 Applications of Nuclear Physics
- PHYS 490 Selected Topics in Physics
12 semester hours in mathematics:
Mathematics (12 hours)
More Information on Physics Degree
TUITION
Costs for programs of study at University of the Cumberlands are competitive and affordable. Click here to view tuition rates and fees.
ACCREDITATION
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Faculty
We’re in your corner – we want you to succeed. Each physics college course is taught by faculty committed to giving you the solid foundation necessary to achieve your professional and personal goals. Our department provides access to high-quality equipment for problem-solving, computation, and data acquisition, a mathematics tutoring laboratory, and physics laboratories equipped to help students learn at both an introductory and advanced level. As a physics undergraduate, you’ll perform experiments ranging from the traditional “inclined plane” to sophisticated computer data acquisition systems.
Pursue any number of rewarding careers with a physics degree from UC. Let’s talk about our test-optional college admissions process, scholarship opportunities, and more! Fill out the form on this page for more information.
Admissions Office
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Toll-Free: 877.713.8767
Fax: 606.539.4303
Email: admissions@ucumberlands.edu
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Career Path
A University of the Cumberlands degree prepares you for the rigors of the professional world. Click the button to learn more about the exciting career opportunities you can pursue with this program.