Lawrence University

Bachelor in Physics

Do physics

Physics – Lawrence University’s physics department offers one of the premier undergraduate physics programs in the country, featuring breadth and depth in physics programs not often seen at the undergraduate level and is recognized by the National Science Foundation as one of the Colleges that Produce the most Ph.D. in Science and Engineering

Lawrence undergrads have built wind tunnels to test disc golf discs (tunnels that they have also used in a rocket science course). They’ve measured hyperfine transitions using optical beating between precision-locked diode lasers. And they’ve developed algorithms for simulating quantum computing, benchmarking with IBM’s quantum computer. What will you do?

Eart two degrees in 5 years (3-2 or 4-1 program)

Complete 3 years at Lawrence, then 2 years at Columbia University (NY) or Washington University in St. Louis, and you will earn a BA in physics and a BS in engineering (biomedical, civil, electrical, mechanical, etc.) Or complete 4 years at Lawrence, then one year at the University of Rochester’s Institute of Optics, and earn a BA in physics and an MS in optical sciences.

Lawrence Physics Workshop

Each February, the Department of Physics at Lawrence University hosts a weekend workshop for high school seniors to showcase our physics program to prospective physics students, so you can prepare for a career in research, teaching, engineering, and other technical fields. Recent LPW activities include:

• analyzing astronomical data to detect planets around other stars
• trapping electron plasmas in a toroidal magnetic field
• observing atoms on the surface of crystalline graphite
• measuring the spacing between atoms in aluminum using X-rays techniques
• measuring the speed of light using a pulsed nitrogen laser

Components of the Major

• Principles of Classical, Relativistic, and Quantum Mechanics
• Principles of Classical Physics
• Principles of Modern Physics
• Calculus I, II, and III
• Physical Electronics
• Computational Mathematics
• Electricity and Magnetism
• Quantum Mechanics
• Thermal Physics
• Advanced Laboratory
• Two additional upper-level physics electives
• Senior Experience in physics

The following program is typical:

• Freshman: PHYS 151, 160; MATH 140, 150, 160
• Sophomore: PHYS 220, 225, 230; MATH 210
• Junior: PHYS 310, 320, 330; physics electives
• Senior: PHYS 699: Independent Study in Physics, PHYS 650: Senior Seminar in Physics; physics electives

You might enjoy this if you're interested in

• Understanding the laws that govern the universe: from gigantic stars to subatomic particles
• Conducting scientific research and exploring the physical world
• Following in the footsteps of the great scientists in the world, such as Marie Curie or Albert Einstein
• Work in influential industries, such as energy, air, and space

Life After Lawrence

Lawrentians can enjoy careers in

Research, engineering, physics, teaching, data analytics, software engineering, geology and geophysics, medical physics, product engineering, physics education, robotics

Recent employers include

Argonne National Lab, Boeing, Epic Systems Corporation, Kimberly-Clark Corporation, Los Alamos National Lab, MIT Lincoln Laboratory, Space Telescope Institute, Tyco Electronics, U.S. Department of Energy, University of Wisconsin

Lawrentians can earn advanced degrees in

Physics, astronomy, engineering (aerospace, civil, mechanical, biomedical, etc.), medical physics, biophysics, optical sciences, physical chemistry, medicine, law, business (MBA)

Recent schools include

Brandeis, University of California (Berkeley, Irvine, Riverside), University of Colorado, Columbia University, Cornell University, Dartmouth College, Drexel University, Johns Hopkins University, MIT, University of Maryland, University of Michigan, Northwestern University, University of Pennsylvania, University of Southern California, Vanderbilt University, Washington University in St. Louis, University of Washington, University of Wisconsin