University at Buffalo, The State University of New York
Physics BS
Buffalo, USA
BSc
DURATION
4 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
Aug 2026
TUITION FEES
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
Fast-track counseling
By contacting the school, you'll get access to free priority counselling for any study and application questions.
Key Summary
Think big—or small—or anywhere in between. From subatomic particles to the ever-expanding universe, physics explains the natural phenomena all around us and serves as the foundation for chemistry, astronomy, and many other scientific fields. If you have questions about how the world works, physics is where you’ll find the answers. Whether you want to discover black holes, invent faster computer chips, or become a teacher, physics lets you be a force in the world.
What will I learn?
As a physics major, you’ll take courses in chemistry and mathematics, along with classes covering classical mechanics, electricity, magnetism, thermal and statistical physics, quantum mechanics, and relativity.
At UB, we try hard to take the friction out of learning. Demonstration-filled lectures show concepts in action, while hands-on labs give you experience with circuits, forces, and other topics, to help you fully understand the underlying phenomena.
Physics BA vs. BS
- The BA is for students who enjoy physics, but also want a broad education (or may want to be a secondary school teacher).
- The BS is for students who want to be professional physicists and is recommended for those considering graduate school.
What can I do outside of class?
At UB, our students are always in motion. Many of them work with faculty on research (yes, even as undergrads). These projects may be theory-based or experiment-based, and cover a range of subjects, such as biological physics, condensed matter physics, and high-energy physics.
You can get involved with student clubs and professional organizations, where you’ll be able to make new friends and connections that can help you throughout your career.
Some of our students have even gone to local schools to get elementary and middle school students excited about physics.
From improving health and safety for miners in the U.S. to doing hands-on work for the European Organization for Nuclear Research, our graduates have found success around the globe.
A degree in physics gives you momentum throughout your career and lets you work in a variety of settings, including:
- Schools and universities: As a teacher or professor, you can work to help inspire the next generation of physicists and engineers, often while conducting your research.
- Private companies: From computers to aerospace, many industries rely on physicists to help them create and improve products
- Government agencies: The U.S. Department of Energy and the Department of Defense are just two of the organizations that hire physicists to develop new simulation tools, test equipment and perform other critical tasks
Financial aid includes grants, scholarships, work-study and loans, and is provided through many different agencies including federal and state governments as well as individual departments at UB.
- Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
- New York State Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) and Scholarships
- I Applied, What’s Next?
- Special and Unusual Circumstances
You must meet the following basic criteria to be eligible for federal financial aid:
General Eligibility Requirements
- Demonstrate financial need (for most programs);
- Be a U.S. Citizen or Eligible Non-Citizen;
- Have a valid Social Security number unless you are from the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, or the Republic of Palau;
- Be enrolled or accepted for enrollment (matriculated) as a regular student in an eligible degree or certificate program;
- Be enrolled at least half-time (6 credit hours) to be eligible for Direct Loan program funds and at in at least 3 credit hours for Pell Grant funds (repeated coursework may not be counted in enrollment in some instances);
- Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) as defined by the University at Buffalo;
- Sign a certifying statement on the FAFSA stating that:
- You are not in default on a federal student loan and do not owe a refund on a federal grant and
- You will use federal student aid only for educational purposes;
- Show you are qualified to obtain a college education by:
- Having a high school diploma or a recognized equivalent such as a General Educational Development (GED) certificate;
- Completing a high school education in a homeschool setting approved under state law; OR
- Enrolling in an eligible career pathway program and meeting one of the “ability-to-benefit” alternatives; AND
- Not be in default on a on a Federal Student Aid loan.
Citizenship Verification
Students who indicate that they are U.S. Citizens or Eligible Non-Citizens on the FAFSA who cannot have their citizenship status confirmed through the FAFSA application process will be required to complete the UB Citizenship Verification process.
To complete the verification, you will need to complete the Citizenship Verification form and present the original documentation proving your citizenship status as listed on the form to our office.
Students completing this process should also contact the Social Security Administration to update its database to avoid this requirement in the future.
High School Transcript or Equivalent Verification
For federal financial aid, you must provide one of the following if you are a first-time student or a transfer student with less than 24 earned credit hours:
- Having a high school diploma or a recognized equivalent such as a General Educational Development (GED) certificate;
- Completing a high school education in a home school setting approved under state law; OR
- Enrolling in an eligible career pathway program and meeting one of the ability-to-benefit alternatives.
If your final high school transcript is not on file with the Office of Admissions on the first day of classes of your first term, the processing of your awards may be delayed.
For all New York State financial aid awards, a final official high school transcript from a U.S. high school, or an equivalent recognized by New York State, must be on file at UB by the first day of classes of the term to which the award is to be applied. Failure to meet this deadline will result in an ineligible status for that term. Eligibility may be regained in subsequent terms once the transcript is received.
Dependency Status
For purposes of Financial Aid, all students are considered either Dependent or Independent. Dependent students are required to provide parent information on their FAFSA. Not living with parents or not being claimed by them on tax forms does not make you an independent student.
Unusual Enrollment History
If you have enrolled in and received federal financial aid at multiple institutions over the last 4 years, UB may request official transcripts from those institutions.
Renewed Eligibility After a Total and Permanent Disability Discharge
If you have applied for or have received a Total and Permanent Disability (TPD) discharge of your federal student loans or TEACH Grant service obligation, you will not be eligible to receive a new Direct Loan, Perkins Loan, or TEACH Grant in the future unless:
- You obtain a certification from a physician that you are able to engage in substantial gainful activity; and
- You sign a statement acknowledging that the new loan or TEACH Grant service obligation cannot be discharged in the future on the basis of any injury or illness present at the time the new loan or TEACH Grant is made, unless your condition substantially deteriorates so that you are again totally and permanently disabled.
In addition, if you are approved for TPD discharge based on SSA documentation or a physician’s certification, and you request a new Direct Loan, Perkins Loan, or TEACH Grant during your 3-year post discharge monitoring period, you must resume repayment on the previously discharged loans or acknowledge that you are once again subject to the terms of your TEACH Grant service obligation before you can receive the new loan or TEACH Grant.