South Dakota School of Mines & Technology
— Science and Engineering since 1885 —
Photo by Matt Kapust, Sanford Underground Research Facility*
Physicists explore the nature of physical reality at its most fundamental level, from the icy depths of the South Pole to dark matter weaving the fabric of the universe. They also explore quantum computing, cryogenic rocket fluid, nanotechnology, and cosmic rays.
Mines offers students the unique opportunity to study the origins and make-up of the universe through high-level research projects a mile underground at the Sanford Underground Research Facility near campus.
Salary Information Not Available, Physics Graduates Go On To:
75% of Mines students gain real-world experience through internships, co-ops, and research at an average salary of over $17 an hour at 240 employers in 39 states, including at Soudan Underground Laboratory and Sanford Underground Research Facility.
Students have the opportunity to become Davis-Bahcall Scholars, studying under scientists at Gran Sasso and Frascati National Laboratories in Italy, and Fermi and Argonne National Laboratories in Illinois, as well as visiting 3M.
*Banner Photo (top of page) credit: Researchers with the MAJORANA DEMONSTRATOR Project at Sanford Lab build their experiment inside a glove box. Photo by Matt Kapust, Sanford Underground Research Facility.
Not just academic experts, faculty at the Department of Physics consult with industry and government on important regional, national and global projects.
More information is provided by the SD Mines Department of Physics: