Program Offerings
• Bachelor of science degree in Physics
• Master of science degree in Physics
• Doctor of philosophy degree in Physics
• Minor in Physics
What is Physics?
The science of physics analyzes how matter and energy interact with each other, and how matter and energy affect each other over time and through space.
There are two camps of physics - experimental physics and theoretical physics. Experimental physics uses experiments and investigations to explore occurrences in nature. By contrast, theoretical physics utilizes mathematics to develop models and theories to explain those experimental results and observations.
What does a physicist do?
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. Physicists ask the fundamental questions - How did the universe begin and how was it made? What is the universe made of? They explore the properties and laws that govern space, time, energy and matter.
Duties a physicist might undertake include:
• Planning and conducting scientific experiments to test theories and discover properties of matter and energy
• Developing scientific theories and models that attempt to explain the properties of the natural world, such as the force of gravity or the creation of sub-atomic particles
• Writing scientific papers
• Presenting research findings
• Writing proposals for research funding
• Doing complex math to analyze data
• Designing scientific equipment
• Developing computer software to analyze and model data
First-Year Courses
First-year courses required for physics majors include:
• Chemistry
• Calculus
• Composition
• Physics
• Computer science
Course Curriculum
Link to Catalog
Internships and Co-ops
At Mines, 77 percent of students gain real-world experience through internships, co-ops, and research at such places as Soudan Underground Laboratory and Sanford Underground Research Facility located in Lead, just an hour from campus.