University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown
Physics BS
Johnstown, USA
BSc
DURATION
4 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time, Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2026
TUITION FEES
USD 27,134 / per year *
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* full-time, two terms | for out-of-state residents
Fast-track counseling
By contacting the school, you'll get access to free priority counselling for any study and application questions.
Key Summary
The Physics Department at the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown offers both a bachelor of science in natural sciences with a concentration in physics and a minor in physics. Students who wish to relocate to the Pittsburgh-Oakland campus to earn a BS in physics may complete their introductory, elective, and laboratory courses in physics on the Johnstown campus.
The department presents the opportunity for one-on-one research with a physics faculty member. Academic credit can be obtained for undergraduate research through PHYS1111 (Special Topics). One available area of research is Solid State Physics, which can be useful to students pursuing a degree in Engineering or Chemistry.
The physics course of study will prepare you for graduate school, a career as a scientist, science teacher, or scientific writer. Analytical skills and knowledge of physics are of value in many related technical fields in the real world, such as engineering and computer science. Many of those who pursue careers in medicine start out with a degree in physics.
Pitt-Johnstown Financial Aid
Scholarship eligibility for incoming first-year or new students to Pitt-Johnstown will be assessed by the Admissions Office upon acceptance.
Process For Continuing Students
Each year, the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown’s Financial Aid Office awards numerous Gift and Endowed (G&E) scholarships, made available to deserving students through the generosity of many individuals, clubs, organizations, industries, businesses, and foundations.
The selection of scholarship recipients is based on specific criteria defined by the donor. A student’s academic performance and financial need may also be considered when deciding upon qualified candidates. Most G&E scholarships are geared toward continuing students; Pitt-Johnstown may require students to complete a scholarship application for consideration.
Completing the scholarship application does not guarantee selection, however, by completing the application, students are automatically considered for each scholarship that Pitt-Johnstown offers as well as several outside scholarships.
General Requirements
For consideration, students must:
- be enrolled for at least 6 credits in a degree-seeking program at Pitt-Johnstown.
- have successfully completed 12 credits as a degree-seeking student at Pitt-Johnstown.
- have earned a 3.0 cumulative GPA.
- complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by April 1 to be considered for need-based scholarships.
- be registered for the upcoming fall term by May 15.
- comply with Pitt-Johnstown's satisfactory academic progress standards for financial aid.
- not be in default on an educational loan or not owe repayment on a federal grant.
- not have earned a Bachelor’s Degree.
Scholarship Exclusions/Adjustments
Limited G&E funds are available to full scholarship recipients. Scholarship awards may be adjusted if Financial Aid determines a student is the recipient of a full tuition scholarship or tuition remission.
Any student who receives a scholarship and/or grant awards that total more than Pitt-Johnstown’s annual cost of attendance, as defined by the Financial Aid Office, will have one or more awards reduced or cancelled.
The Financial Aid Office awards G&E scholarships based upon the information available at the time of the award, including intended major or cumulative GPA, as well as any other possible variables. In the event that this information is inaccurate or changes, the Financial Aid Office has the right to reduce, change, or cancel the award.
Students interested in physics can structure a divisional concentration to obtain a Bachelor of Science degree in the natural sciences program, pursue a physics minor or students can enroll in introductory, elective, and laboratory courses in physics before relocating to the Pittsburgh campus for degree completion.
The requirements for a physics minor are:
1) Physics (10 credits total)
- PHYS 0150 - Physics 1
- PHYS 0151 - Physics Laboratory 1
- PHYS 0152 - Physics 2
- PHYS 0153 - Physics Laboratory 2
2) Math (8 credits total)
- MATH 0221 - Analytic Geometry and Calculus 1
- MATH 0231 - Analytic Geometry and Calculus 2
3) A minimum of 8 credits among the following:
- PHYS 0400 - Classical Mechanics
- PHYS 0450 - Electromagnetism
- PHYS 0480 - Astrophysics
- PHYS 1111 - Special Topics
- PHYS 1300 - Quantum Physics
Note:
One (but not more than one) of the following courses may be counted in Category 2 above:
- CHEM 1341 - Physical Chemistry 1
- EET 0121 - Electronics 1
- MET 1110 - Thermodynamics