Physics

A majority of students graduating with a bachelor’s degree in physics move into private and public sectors of  STEM. Of those who continued on to graduate school, roughly two-thirds were in physics or astronomy. Engineering is the next most popular field of study for physics bachelor’s recipients; other common areas include math, computer science, education, business, law, and medicine. (Physics Today, 2024)

Physicists are highly sought after in fields from finance to engineering and medicine, anywhere that important decisions are made based on quantitative evidence.

The Bachelor of Arts degree in physics is appropriate for students who wish to combine a physics curriculum with a broad liberal arts program with the intention of pursuing careers such as medicine, law, teaching, IT, business, and government. It is also attractive as a second major in combination with degrees in mathematics, computer science, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, and chemistry, as there is significant overlap in course requirements.

The Bachelor of Science in physics is particularly appropriate for students planning careers in industry, research laboratories, or academia, requiring a comprehensive training in physics. The B.S. degree is attractive as a second major for students who are also pursuing degrees in mathematics, computer science, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, and chemistry, as there is significant overlap in course requirements. Additionally, the B.S. in physics with a specialization in cosmology and astrophysics is designed for students who plan careers or postgraduate studies in astronomy or astrophysics. 

The SMU Department of Physics is concentrated on understanding the universe at its smallest and largest scales through experimental and theoretical collider physics, cosmology, and astrophysics. Undergraduate and graduate students are heavily involved in conducting research at forefront experiments in the field. 

Yes, the B.A. in physics includes a broad liberal arts curriculum, including physical science, quantum physics, and calculus. Physics majors tend to perform better than average on the MCAT. Approximately one-sixth of physics majors pursue a career in education and are typically qualified to teach several subjects beyond just physics. 

SMU offers a Bachelor of physics with a specialization in cosmology and astrophysics, which is designed for students planning careers or postgraduate work in astronomy or astrophysics, or just a strong interest in the latest discoveries. The elective courses of the B.S. are taken in cosmology, stellar, and galactic physics.  

With an 11:1 student-to-faculty ratio, students have many opportunities to work closely with faculty, particularly in the advanced laboratories where students become familiar with state-of-the-art equipment.

In the SMU Department of Physics, we provide an education that pairs the strengths of our department with your desire to learn more about the cosmos. Undergraduate students are heavily involved in conducting research at forefront experiments in the field. If you learn how to setup and solve difficult problems in physics, you can apply that skill to many other careers, too. Additionally, recent SMU physics undergraduates have gone on to such prestigious graduate programs as Cambridge, Columbia, Vanderbilt, Stanford, and Harvard.