Physics
Program Details
From the tiniest bits of matter to the enormity of the universe, there exists a structure that is based on a surprisingly small number of far-reaching fundamental principles. The goal of physics is to discover these fundamental principles, often called the "laws of nature."
As a student in the physics major at Xavier, you’ll gain a deep knowledge of the application of physical laws. You’ll also have the opportunity to work and learn alongside faculty mentors in laboratories designed for experiments in electronics, holography, quantum optics, nuclear physics and more. Upon graduation, you’ll be prepared to enter grad school or work as a researcher, laboratory technician or physics teacher.
Xavier University, located in Cincinnati, Ohio, is nationally recognized as a top university by U.S. News & World Report, The Princeton Review and Forbes. 99 percent of our students, including those in the physics major, are working, volunteering or in graduate school within six months of graduation (Class of 2022).
Degree Awarded
Bachelor of Science in Physics
Curriculum
The sample course sequence below illustrates class offerings for the Physics major. Consult the official Xavier University course catalog for detailed registration and advising information.
Fall
- ENGR 101: Intro to Engineering............ 3cr.
- PHYSICS 170: University Physics I............ 3cr.
- PHYSICS 171: Exploration in Physics I............ 1cr.
- MATHEMATICS 170: Calculus I............ 4cr.
- CORE 100, First Year Seminar............ 3cr.
- CORE 101, GOA............ 0cr.
- Second Language 103 level............ 3cr.
Spring
- PHYSICS 172: University Physics II............ 3cr.
- ENGR 173: Explorations in Engineering or PHYS 173............ 3cr.
- MATHEMATICS 171: Calculus II............ 4cr.
- THEOLOGY 111: Theological Foundations............ 3cr.
- CORE 102, GOA............ 0cr.
- Second Language 201 level............ 3cr.
Fall
- PHYSICS 242: Circuit Analysis I............ 3cr.
- PHYSICS 243: Circuit Analysis I Lab............ 1cr.
- PHYSICS 330: Modern Physics I............ 3cr.
- PHYSICS 331: Modern Physics I Lab............ 2cr.
- MATHEMATICS 220: Calculus III............ 4cr.
- ENGL 101: Composition............ 3cr.
Spring
- PHYS 355: Advanced Lab............ 3cr.
- ENGR 244, Electronics............ 3cr.
- ENGR 244, Electronics Lab............ 1cr.
- ENGR 180: Intro to Mathlab............ 1cr.
- MATHEMATICS 230: Differential Equations............ 3cr.
- PHILOSOPHY 100: Ethics as Intro to Philosophy............ 3cr.
Fall
- PHYSICS 360: Electromagnetism I............ 3cr.
- MATH Elective............ 3cr.
- ENGR 370: Fluid mechanics............ 3cr.
- Lit. & Moral Imagination............ 3cr.
- Historical Perspective elective............ 3cr.
Spring
- PHYSICS 364: Physical Optics............ 3cr.
- PHYSICS 365: Physical Optics Lab............ 1cr.
- PHYSICS 350: Theoretical Mechanics............ 3cr.
- PHYSICS 382: Thermodynamics............ 3cr.
- Program Elective............ 3cr.
- Theological Perspectives elective............ 3cr.
Fall
- PHYSICS 376: Quantum Mechanics I............ 3cr.
- PHYSICS 395: Physics Research............ 1cr.
- PProgram Elective............ 3cr.
- Creative Perspectives elective............ 3cr.
- Social Sciences Elective............ 3cr.
- Div. Flag* or Free Elective............ 3cr.
Spring
- ENGR 342 - Material Science............ 3cr.
- PHYSICS 398: Physics Thesis............ 1cr.
- Program Elective............ 3cr.
- Humanities Elective............ 3cr.
- PHIL 200: Philosophical Perspectives............ 3cr.
- ER/S Flag* or Free Elective (if needed)............ 3cr.
Sample Courses
Xavier is known for providing an education that’s both challenging and personal. Here are some courses that are part of the physics major at Xavier:
Modern Physics (PHYS 330) - Learn about the warping of spacetime as objects travel close to the speed of light, about strange effects on the scale of quantum mechanics such as particles and waves behaving like each other and objects tunneling through walls, and how spectroscopy works and is applied in a range of industrial and scientific situations.
Astrophysics (PHYS 388) - Apply concepts and principles of classical and modern physics toward an analysis of astronomical phenomena such as orbital motion, star formation and evolution, neutron stars and black holes, galaxy structure and formation, and cosmology.
Advanced Lab (PHYS 3855) - Use research grade equipment as it is used by faculty in the department to perform experiments related to the fields of biophysics, optics, solid-state physics, and computational physics.
Career Outcomes
99% of Xavier students, including those in the physics major, are working, volunteering or in graduate school within six months of graduating (Class of 2022). Additionally, Xavier students have a 92% acceptance rate to medical schools (Class of 2019), compared to 40% nationally.
Career Opportunities: Design Engineer, Materials Engineer, Process Engineer, Physicist, Research Analyst, Research Scientist, Science Teacher/Professor, Web Developer
Career Opportunities for Physics Majors
More: Xavier's Career Development Office assists students in their search for employment by offering individual career counseling sessions, conducting workshop series on interviewing and resume writing techniques and maintaining an educational, vocational and employer information resource center. More than 100 nationally known companies visit the campus annually to interview graduating seniors for positions in business and industry.
Student Clubs
Physics Club
Students in the Physics Club organize trips to national labs, host cool experiment series and events that connect to physics, like ice skating (friction!) and water balloon launches.
Take the Next Step
Research Opportunities for Physics Majors
The undergraduate research experience is an integral part of a student's personal and academic development. Students work alongside faculty mentors to find solutions to real world problems through research.
Labs and Equipment for Physics Majors
The Lindner Family Physics Building houses a variety of facilities for you to carry out research and other experiential learning opportunities. Students will carry out experiments including probing inside the atom with X-ray fluorescence; discovering surface textures with an atomic force microscope; and much more. As part of the degree, students will have the opportunity to work alongside faculty in carrying out research in their labs. Outside of class there is the opportunity to observe the planets and stars using the departments astronomical observatory.
Career Opportunities for Physics Majors
Many students go on to study in veterinary, medical and dental school. Students at Xavier have an 85 percent medical school acceptance rate average, compared to 40 percent nationally.
Graduate With Honors
Are you looking for an academic challenge? The University Scholars Honors Program offers incoming students a more challenging curriculum and close support from professors while completing their undergraduate degree. Acceptance into the program is highly selective and includes a $2000 travel grant.
Physics Major at Xavier University
The Physics program at Xavier provides a close interaction between faculty and students. Research laboratories are equipped with state-of-the-art technology and all principal faculty members are active researchers. In short, Physics at Xavier offers: A strong community that encourages team work, active research laboratories that offer undergraduate research opportunities and physics in a liberal arts setting which strengthens logical and communicative skills.
Xavier University’s College of Arts and Sciences challenges students to develop an integrated understanding of humanity, the world, and God by pursuing the questions raised in Xavier's core and departmental curricula. The College of Arts and Sciences is the oldest and largest college at Xavier University. The college provides an excellent liberal arts education in the Jesuit tradition that prepares students for careers, professional or graduate school, and life in a global society.
Xavier University is a private university located in Cincinnati, Ohio, providing a liberal arts education in the Jesuit Catholic tradition. Founded in 1831, the University is the sixth-oldest Catholic university in the nation. It has been ranked among the top 10 master's-level universities in the Midwest by U.S. News & World Report for the past two decades. The Princeton Review names it one of the "Best 385 Colleges in America."