Physics
About
Physics is the application of mathematical theory and experimental tools to investigate how matter and energy interact. It spans the spectrum from astrophysics, which tells us about the structure of stars, to clumps of atoms, which informs us how silicon chips work. You won't find a physics department with more energy than here!
Why Physics is in Demand:
- Employment of physicists and astronomers is projected to grow 14% from 2016 to 2026. It is expected that the need for physicists and astronomers in colleges, universities and national labs will increase due to expected growth in federal government research spending. The employment of physicists was about 19,500 jobs in 2020. (Source: United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics)
- Physicists are in demand for their analytical skills in many financial, fund management and research roles, in law, as weather forecasters, computer programmers, and as physics and science teachers.
- Typical starting salaries for physics majors range from $45,000 to $75,000 in the private sector. (Source: American Institute of Physics) The typical median annual wage for entry-level physicists with a doctoral or professional degree was $147,450 in 2021. (Source: United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics)
Is it for me?
- Do you like figuring things out?
- Do you enjoy being challenged?
- Could you spend all day conducting scientific research?
- Are you constantly asking “why”?
Five Reasons to Choose Scranton for Physics
Preparing You For Personal & Professional Successplus or minus
You Will:
- Learn to think critically, analyze and solve complex problems
- Develop technical writing and oral presentation skills
- Grow in confidence
- Learn time management
- Gain an awareness of professional ethical issues concerning the impact of physics on society and a concern for the environment
Student Research
Students collaborate with faculty and conduct research while they are still in school. For example, recent students have researched everything from photovoltaics to quantum chaos. Read more in "What You'll Learn," below.
What You'll Learnplus or minus
Curriculum
In your first three years, you’ll take a core of courses including general physics, modern physics, statistical physics and thermodynamics, quantum physics, and electromagnetics.
In your senior year, you’ll dive into advanced specialized courses. A highlight of the senior year is the opportunity to carry out original research of your choice with a faculty member.
Click here to see the curriculum.
Physics classes are held in the Loyola Science Center offering dedicated spaces for informal gatherings, student group work, student research, mediated classrooms, and labs with state-of-the-art equipment.
Research Projects
- A physics student devised an instrument to detect underground voids used both on-campus and throughout the local community. His work received an award at a regional conference dedicated to student research.
- Another physics student devised a novel electrical circuit to mimic unexpected properties of the inner ear and was able to reproduce the efforts and gain insight into the cause.
- Additional student research included building a radio telescope to study the sun and using an optical telescope to search for extrasolar planets.
President’s Fellowships for Summer Research include:
- Rachel Salmon, Class of 2015, obtained a paid summer research experience in astronomy at Cornell University and at Michigan State University. She presented her research results at national meetings of the American Astronomical Society.
- Dustin Frisbee, Class of 2015, who worked with Dr. Declan Mulhall, Professor of Physics and Engineering, studied quantum chaos to look for patterns that may help physicists better understand nuclear phenomena. Read more here.
Pursue Your Passion and Make a Differenceplus or minus
Who doesn’t want to understand the world around us – and improve it? The study of physics stimulates our problem-solving skills to make all things possible. Many of the things we couldn’t live without today – cell phones, computers, cars – are the result of physics. Looking forward to watching your favorite show tonight on a flat screen TV? That’s physics at work.
Physics also has a deeper humanitarian application from pursuing cancer research to developing new medical techniques to addressing the world’s energy problems.
At Scranton, we offer significant service-learning opportunities in our local community to put your physics knowledge to good use and better the lives of others. As a Jesuit institution, we encourage students to develop a sense of responsibility for themselves and their community.
Careers
Where will physics take me?
Our physics majors typically go on to graduate school while others go straight into the industry. You'll find Scranton graduates working at a wide range of companies and organizations.
There is a diverse range of careers for those with physics degrees, including:
- Astronomer
- College Professor
- High School Teacher
- Mechanical Engineer
- Network Applications Systems Analyst
- Physicist
- Software Developer
To read more about the diversity of careers of people with physics degrees, browse through the American Physical Society’s series of articles called Profiles in Versatility.
Top Graduate Schools
Some of the prestigious graduate schools that have admitted recent graduates include:
- Boston University
- Michigan State University
- Syracuse University
- The Catholic University of America
- The George Washington University
- The University of Scranton
- University of Connecticut
- University of Delaware
- University of Kentucky
Leading Employers:
You’ll find Scranton graduates working in a wide range of companies and organizations including:
- Deptartment of Environmental Protection
- ExxonMobil
- FBI
- Lockheed Martin
- Naval Research Lab
- NASA
- NSA
- Physicians Health Alliance
- Picatinny Aresenal
- Tobyhanna Army Depot
- U.S. Navy
How Scranton Gives You a Competitive Edge
One of the many things students tell us they love about Scranton is that our faculty is very active in helping them achieve their career goals. As you walk across campus, you’ll often see students chatting with faculty over coffee to bounce ideas.
Whether it’s advising or providing letters of references for a competitive graduate school or that dream job, faculty make it their priority to get to know each student on an individual level. That deep level of understanding means that our faculty members are not only dedicated teachers and strong researchers but advocates for you professionally.
Take the Next Step
Get the Facts
For More Information
Office of Admissions
The Estate
Scranton, PA 18510
1-888-SCRANTON or (570) 941-7540
570-941-7572
admissions@scranton.edu
Department of Physics/Electrical Engineering
Andrew Berger, Ph.D.
Chair, Department of Physics/Electrical Engineering
(570) 941-4056
wandrew.berger@scranton.edu