B.S. in Physics
Join a cutting-edge research team, including a Nobel Prize winning gravitational wave group.
There are two paths to study physics at the University of Mississippi. Choose between the more broad Bachelor of Arts in physics and the more specialized Bachelor of Science in physics. The B.S. degree provides rigorous training that includes courses such as mathematical physics, thermodynamics, mechanics, optics, electromagnetic theory, and quantum mechanics. Students are required to take a research course.
Key Benefits
Physics majors obtain an in-depth understanding of the physical laws of nature, and develop excellent skills in critical thinking, problem solving, and research. The Jamie Whitten National Center for Physical Acoustics is a world-class research facility.
Graduate Outcomes
A liberal arts education empowers and prepares graduates to deal with complexity and change through a broad knowledge of the world. They gain key skills in communication, problem-solving, and working with a diverse group of people. Related careers in physics include research & development, quality assurance, systems safety, education, medicine, business, military, energy resources, and patent law.
Experiences Offered
Physics majors have the opportunity to become involved in cutting edge research projects with faculty in the fields of acoustics, atmospheric physics, condensed-matter physics, high-energy physics, gravitational physics and astrophysics. Students receive personalized attention and participate in some of the most exciting developments in the discipline.
B.S. in Physics Faculty
The University of Mississippi's Department of Physics and Astronomy includes faculty with expertise in atmospheric physics, gravitational physics, condensed matter physics, physical acoustics, and experimental and theoretical high energy physics.
Course Requirements
A B.S. major in physics must have a working knowledge of mathematics, including differential equations. B.S. physics majors must take Math 261, 262, 263, 264, 319, and 353. All six required math courses should be completed by the end of the junior year. At least 45 hours of physics and astronomy courses are required for the B.S. degree, including Phys 211, 212, 221, 222, 303, 308, 309, 310, 317, 319, 401, 402, 451; at least 2 hours of Phys 463 and/or 464; and Phys 417 as an additional upper-division physics laboratory-based course in addition to Phys 319. (Typically, either Phys 321 or Phys 417 is taken as the other lab class.) Students may satisfy the Phys 211-212 requirements by demonstrating a high level of proficiency on an exam, but then will need to complete the 45 hours of physics and astronomy by taking additional higher-level Phys and Astr courses. Up to 6 hours of astronomy courses at the 300 level or higher can count toward the degree.
Admissions Requirements
Admission requirements for the Bachelor of Science in physics is the same as the general undergraduate admission requirements.
Hunter Gabbard
Hunter (2016) worked on detector characterization and software development for LIGO, the Nobel Prize-winning Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory research group. He spent summers working with LIGO in France and South Texas. Hunter was the author of the "Terramon" monitor for seismic events at the LIGO sites, and one of only a handful of undergraduates earning authorship on the historic paper announcing the discovery of gravitational waves. Hunter's Fulbright Scholarship allowed him to work with some of the world's top physicists at the Albert Einstein Institute in Germany. He is currently a Ph.D. student at the Institute for Gravitational Research at the University of Glasgow.
Student Organizations
Join the Society of Physics Students, Sigma Pi Sigma honors society, or University of Mississippi Women in Physics.