Undergraduate

Bachelor of Science in Physics

Acquire the ability to tackle deep scientific problems.

Two men stand at whiteboard with math written on it

"You can gain access to top-rate facilities like the National Center for Physical Acoustics, explore the cosmos in Kennon Observatory, or work on experimental particle physics at Fermi Lab near Chicago. The opportunities are here, and the faculty help you reach your goals."

Daniel Pompa (B.S. in Physics, minors in Computer Science, Engineering, and Math ‘19)

Partner, Quantinium

About this Program

The Department of Physics and Astronomy in the College of Liberal Arts offers the B.S. in Physics. Physics majors acquire a broad understanding of the physical principles of nature, develop critical thinking and quantitative reasoning skills, and become creative scientific thinkers. Physics teaches students to use fundamental laws of nature to discover new ideas in technology and new solutions to age-old problems.

Students may choose an optional emphasis in

  • astrophysics
  • biophysics

B.S. vs B.A.

  • The Bachelor of Science degree is a rigorous degree path that provides deeper math and science training for graduate school in physics and related fields. Students may choose an optional  emphasis in astrophysics or biophysics.
  • The Bachelor of Arts degree provides a deeper and wider general education foundation. It has a broad training in physics and allows for combinations with other areas of study through a minor field of study (or double major). Students in the B.A. interested in a health profession may follow the informal premedical track.  

The Value of a Physics Degree

Studying physics provides the foundation for graduate study or professional school such as medical school. Our course of study leads to a unique and effective approach to problem-solving which many employers value when looking for potential candidates. This makes our majors well prepared to enter the workforce in a wide variety of areas upon graduation.

Related careers in physics include:

  • STEM research 
  • medicine
  • business
  • quality assurance
  • systems safety
  • military
  • energy resources
  • law

On this Page…

    Program Information

    Program Type

    Major

    Minor

    Area of Study

    Sciences, Mathematics, and Technology

    Duration

    4 Years

    Degree

    B.S. in Physics

    Program Location

    Oxford

    Emphases

    Astrophysics;
    Biophysics

    Required Credit Hours

    120

    Degree Requirements

    See the information below on the physics major and minor. For a full description, visit the online catalog.

     

    For students to enroll in the first physics course for the physics major and minor, they must meet one of the following prerequisites:

    Math 262 (Calculus II)
    Math 261 (Calculus I) and Phys 201 (Physics Tool Box)

    Students in the B.S. in Physics complete 45 credit hours of physics and astronomy.

    • Phys 211: Physics for Science & Engineering I
    • Phys 212: Physics for Science & Engineering II
    • Phys 221: Lab Physics for Science & Engineering II
    • Phys 222: Lab Physics for Science & Engineering II
    • Phys 303: Physical Theory and Techniques
    • Phys 308: Mathematical Physics
    • Phys 309: Thermodynamics
    • Phys 310: Mechanics
    • Phys 317: Introduction to Modern Physics I
    • Phys 319: Optics
    • Phys 401: Electromagnetic Theory I
    • Phys 402: Electromagnetic Theory II
    • Phys 417: Modern Physics Laboratory
    • Phys 451: Introduction to Quantum Mechanics

    At least two hours from:

    • Phys 463: Senior Research Project
    • Phys 464: Senior Research Project

    Students must also complete the following math courses.

    • Math 261: Unified Calculus & Analytic Geometry I
    • Math 262: Unified Calculus & Analytic Geometry II 
    • Math 263: Unified Calculus & Analytical Geometry III
    • Math 264: Unified Calculus & Analytical Geometry IV
    • Math 319: Introduction to Linear Algebra
    • Math 353: Elementary Differential Equations


    For an emphasis in Astrophysics students complete:

    • Astr 325: Astrophysics
    • Astr 436: Introduction to Cosmology

    For an emphasis in Biophysics students complete:

    • Phys 413: Introduction to Biophysics
    • Phys 514: Physics of Medical Imaging

    A minor in Physics consists of 18 credit hours of physics courses.

    • Phys 211: Physics for Science and Engineering I
    • Phys 212: Physics for Science and Engineering II
    • Phys 221: Lab Physics for Science and Engineering I
    • Phys 222: Lab Physics for Science and Engineering II

    OR

    • Phys 213: General Physics I
    • Phys 214: General Physics II
    • Phys 223: Laboratory Physics I
    • Phys 224: Laboratory Physics II

    And at least 10 credit hours of physics courses at the 300 level or higher.

     

    Connect with a Physics Major

    Harrison Roth

    Harrison Roth

    What would you tell a high school student about physics?

    See Harrison’s Answer

    What can I do with a physics degree?

    • Senior Technical Advisor at FedEx
    • Physician at Memorial Hospital Gulfport
    • Radiation Safety at St. Thomas Hospitals
    • OB-GYN at Delta Medical Group
    • Physician at Vanderbilt Medical Center
    • Faculty at Yale School of Medicine
    • VP Instruction at Pearl River Community College
    • Researcher at Los Alamos National Lab
    • Aerospace Engineer at NASA
    • Senior Research Fellow at DuPont
    • Physicist at Tennessee Valley Authority
    • Curriculum Developer at Science is Elementary
    • Bioinformatician at Max Planck Institute

    Optional Minor

    Bachelor of Science students may choose an optional minor field of study depending on their interests and career goals.

    Next Steps

    Explore Affordability

    We have a variety of scholarships and financial aid options to help make college more affordable for you and your family.

    Apply to the University of Mississippi

    Are you ready to take the next step toward building your legacy?