B.S. In Physics
Bethlehem, USA
BSc
DURATION
4 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
Jan 2026
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
Key Summary
The Physics major provides the opportunity to investigate and study areas of physics essential for graduate work in physics and a variety of engineering fields, as well as physics-related careers in industry, government, or secondary education. In the physics curriculum, the emphasis is on experimental investigation that stresses physical principles and on theoretical developments and problem-solving.
Academic Opportunities
Laboratory Experiences
Whereas programs at other institutions may incorporate all of their laboratory experiences into several “Advanced Laboratory” courses, our program offers a number of advanced lab experiences that are associated with specific courses. Through an experimentally oriented curriculum, students can acquire a number of valuable experimental skills—in fact, seven of our advanced course offerings have associated labs.
Student-Faculty Research
The department has a strong history of students performing independent research, either through the senior Honors program, or independent studies and SOAR. Research areas of department members include granular materials, fluids, magnetic thin films, physics education, atomic and molecular computational physics, astrophysics, and atmospheric physics. In addition, the department has a strong record of placing students in Research Experiences for Undergraduates programs (REUs) during the summer term at other institutions, such as UPenn, Miami University of Ohio, Notre Dame, Brigham Young University, and University of Glasgow. Faculty have collaborated on projects with other institutions such as Kutztown, Lehigh, Iowa State, and Susquehanna Universities.
Student Research Labs
As upperclassmen, our majors may be assigned to a student research lab that they can use as their own personal space, and are granted access to all of the teaching and research labs. This allows students to feel very connected to the environment within the department and spend time in the labs and common spaces doing science and performing research, while developing a community with their peer physics majors.
Study Abroad
Sophomore year is the perfect time for an optional short-term study abroad opportunity, or, as Moravian likes to call it, a “Global Greyhound Trip.” The Elevate experience includes a trip to one of our featured destinations—the Czech Republic or Costa Rica—at no extra cost to students! For physics majors, junior year is a great time for additional travel—students have studied in Scotland, Australia, and Japan in recent years.
Engineering
The department offers several types of opportunities for students wishing to pursue a career in engineering. Two of these options involve dual degree programs (the 3/2 at Washington University in St. Louis and the 4/1 at Lehigh University) in which the student will study at Moravian University for several years and then transfer to the associated institution to finish up the program of study, resulting in a degree being granted from each institution. In all cases, while the student is at Moravian University, the program of study will be as a physics major.
3/2 Undergraduate Program
In cooperation with Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri, Moravian University offers the following cooperative engineering programs:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Chemical Engineering
- Computer Engineering
- Computer Science
- Electrical Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Systems Science and Engineering
Upon successful completion of three years at Moravian University and upon recommendation of the University, a student in the cooperative engineering program may apply for transfer to the appropriate engineering department of Washington University. Upon completion of the engineering program, the student is awarded the Bachelor of Arts from Moravian and the Bachelor of Science in Engineering from Washington University.
4/1 Graduate Program
A combined bachelor's and master's degree program in mechanical engineering or mechanics is offered in cooperation with Lehigh University. This program enables qualified students to earn a Bachelor of Science in physics from Moravian University and a Master of Science in mechanical engineering or mechanics from Lehigh University with an average total time of 5.5 years of full-time study.
The department offers introductory courses in geology, astronomy, forensics, and meteorology. A major in geology is offered through cross-registration in cooperation with Lehigh University. Because the study of geology is an effort to understand natural phenomena on and within the earth, a student of geology must have a broad understanding of the basic sciences and mathematics, as well as professional courses in the geological sciences.
The Physics and Earth Science Department offers two-degree options for students wishing to pursue the physics major: The bachelor of arts (B.A.) and the bachelor of science (B.S.). The requirements for each degree option are listed below.
The Bachelor of Arts with a Major in Physics
The bachelor of arts with a major in physics consists of 7-course units in physics (Physics 111, 112, 222, 331, 345, and two additional 300-level courses) plus four-course units in mathematics (Mathematics 170 or 106-166, plus 171, 211, and 254). It is suggested that the student schedule Physics 111-112 in the first year and begin mathematics at the calculus level by scheduling Mathematics 170 and 171 in the first year, if possible. In the sophomore year, the courses normally taken are Physics 222 and Mathematics 211 and 254.
The Bachelor of Science with a Major in Physics
The bachelor of science with a major in physics consists of 10-course units in physics (Physics 111, 112, 222, 331, 341, 345, 346, and three additional course units), plus five-course units in mathematics (Mathematics 170 or 106-166, plus 171, 211, 254, and 324). If the student chooses Physics 343 as one of the three elective physics courses, he or she may omit Mathematics 324. It is strongly recommended that the student schedule Physics 111-112 in the first year, and begin mathematics at the calculus level by scheduling Mathematics 170 and 171 in the first year. In the sophomore year, the courses normally taken are Physics 221 and 222 and Mathematics 211 and 254.
Student Resources
- American Institute of Physics (AIP)
- AIP Statistics Web Page
- The American Physical Society (APS)
- Discover Magazine
- Popular Science
- Become familiar with the use of appropriate experimental equipment
- Design experiments to answer specific questions (problem-solving, critical thinking)
- Analyze experimental data with proper attention to the limitations imposed by measurement uncertainty (quantitative literacy, inquiry, and analysis, critical thinking)
- Employ advanced computational methods when necessary and appropriate (quantitative literacy)
- Communicate clearly both in writing and speech (oral communication, written communication)
In the past decade, approximately 58% of our students have gone on to some form of continuing graduate education. Past graduates have gone on to not only graduate school in physics but also law school, medical school, and multiple areas of engineering and computer studies. In addition, over 90% of our recent graduates are currently employed in such fields as computing, engineering, medicine, law, and education.