Physicists do all kinds of things from studying stars to designing computers. And physics is perhaps the most basic of all sciences, and the foundation of most science and engineering disciplines. So if you like getting in on the ground floor and asking questions about how things work, physics is a great place to start.

What's different about it?

CSM's physics program is one of the largest undergraduate engineering physics programs in the country and one of only 17 accredited by ABET, the engineering accrediting board.

In addition to getting a great background in physics, you also can choose an engineering minor -- electrical, chemical, mechanical, etc.-- to broaden your degree. And you can earn your B.S. in physics and your M.S. in one of several engineering or applied physics areas in only five years through our combined B.S./M.S. Program. That's flexibility.

Believing that practice should support theory, the department has modern, well-equipped labs for general physics, modern physics, electronics, and advanced instrumentation. And research is an important part of the department, too. There are corresponding labs to support that effort.

CSM physics students and faculty are close-knit. Classes in your junior and senior years average 15-25 students, and you and your teachers will get to know each other well. Plus, you'll have a chance to work with faculty on research projects in the required senior design sequence.

What can I do with it?

About 50 percent of CSM physics grads go on to graduate school at places like Caltech, Berkeley, Harvard, MIT, and other institutions. And because of the strong practical focus, many grads go to work in all sorts of high-tech industries.