Undergraduate Major Physics (BS)

Explore the Universe When You Major in Physics

Investigate the physical world when you earn a Bachelor of Science in Physics from Southern New Hampshire University. This program allows you to immerse yourself in traditional classroom settings to learn about theory, while giving you access to state-of-the-art laboratories to gain the hands-on experience needed for the application of your studies.

As a student in the SNHU program, you’ll learn the fundamentals of physics – as well as get exposure to engineering design and laboratory instrumentation. In addition, you’ll participate in original research and design projects – an ideal way to build up your resume as an entry-level job candidate.

The SNHU physics degree can position you for either an immediate career or further study in graduate school.

Careers & Outcomes

When you earn your bachelor’s degree in physics, you have an exciting number of career options available to you. While many alumni choose to move on to a master’s or PhD programs upon graduating, there are still plenty of roles well suited for those with a bachelor’s degree.

Four of these professional areas include:

• Computer hardware and software: From web developers to systems analysts, there are quite a few jobs in this high-growth field.
• Education: High school and middle school science departments would benefit from your physics expertise.
• Engineering: Design, laser, manufacturing, mechanical, optical and systems are just a small handful of the types of engineering roles in which your physics degree could be useful.
• Research and technical: From universities to the private sector, research is always needed to make advances in the field.

Whatever you choose to do after earning your bachelor’s, SNHU’s physics major can help you achieve those goals.

Curriculum

The bachelor’s in physics program at SNHU offers you a well-rounded education. With coursework split between the School of Arts and Sciences and the School of Engineering, Technology and Aeronautics (SETA), you can gain both the hard and soft skills that are in demand by employers.

Options for Senior Projects include:

• Physics (BS) – Aeronautical Engineering: Explore the physics of flight, collaborate on projects which involve the conception, design and implementation of real-world flight systems.
• Physics (BS) – Biophysics: Explore the physics of complex biological systems on all scales, from the physics of biological environments and their impact on living organisms, down to the physics of cells. You may also do projects on the physics of medical technology.
• Physics (BS) – Electrical Engineering: Explore the physics of vision systems, electronic sensors and controls, signal processing.
• Physics (BS) – Environmental science: Explore the physics of the earth environment by integrating physics with biology, chemistry, and information science.
• Physics (BS) – Mechanical Engineering: Explore the physics of Advanced Materials, Optics, Robotics and Control Systems, Thermal-fluid systems, Power, Energy, Propulsion systems, and more.
• Physics (BS) – Space Science: Explore the physics of our solar system. Investigate phenomena in the Planetary – Sun – Solar Wind environment such as solar magnetic storms, planetary magnetospheres, cometary processes and asteroids.

 By successfully completing the physics program at SNHU, skills you’ll develop include:

• Computer programming, modeling and simulations
• Communication and collaboration
• Critical thinking and inventiveness
• Mechanical aptitude
• Mathematics and analytics
• Research and investigation

Beyond the core requirements in your major, you’ll have the opportunity to choose 3 elective courses that allow you to build specialty areas in your program. Current elective courses include Principles of Photonics, Biophysics, Optics, Space Physics, and Plasma Physics.

Courses To Prepare You For Your Life & Career

SNHU's bachelor's in physics program includes:

• General education courses
• Degree-specific courses

General Education Program

SNHU's required general education program, known as The Commons, aims to guide you toward success in not only your academic career, but your personal and professional life too.

Throughout the curriculum, you'll gain some of the most in-demand skills in today's workplace, including:

• Research and information analysis
• Diverse audience communication
• Critical thinking and ethical problem solving
• Leadership, emotional intelligence and collaboration

This expertise will prove practical, transferable and invaluable as you grow in your career and contribute positively to society.

Beyond foundational skill development, the general education program also provides the benefit of allowing you to explore a wide range of fields outside of your intended major.

University Accreditation

Southern New Hampshire University is a private, nonprofit institution accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE) as well as several other accrediting bodies.