Physics is the study of the Universe, from particles to galaxies and beyond. Its language is mathematics, its domain is the Universe itself, and its applications are as diverse as science itself. A primary goal of physics is to discover the underlying laws that govern matter and its interactions.
The Physics program at High Point University is founded on the principle that the first day of your first year at HPU is the beginning of your career as a scientist. Your principal objective as a scientist is to seek answers to interesting questions. Your principal objective as a student is to learn the tools required for inquiry—problem solving, fundamental physics, experimental methods, computational modeling and computer programming, mathematics, and communication. When you graduate from High Point University with a degree in physics, you will have the skills, passion, and confidence of a scientist who is prepared for a career in a technical field or graduate study in any related scientific, engineering, or professional discipline.
Your classes, laboratory experiences, and independent undergraduate research projects will help you develop a scientific skill set with expertise in:
- Experimental design and data analysis
- Problem solving and analytical reasoning
- Electronics and instrumentation
- Computational modeling
- Computer programming in a variety of languages including Python, LabView, Java, and MATLAB
- Undergraduate research with faculty mentors
- Preparation of scientific articles, proposals, and posters in LaTeX
- Oral presentations of research results
- Fundamental theoretical physics in Classical Mechanics, Quantum Mechanics, Electricity and Magnetism, and Statistical Mechanics / Thermodynamics
The core values that distinguish our program are:
1. Creative and contemporary teaching that incorporates modern physics from the first day of the first year
2. Computational modeling and computer programming
3. Undergraduate research
Read more about our core values
Our four full-time faculty specialize in theoretical physics; materials science, biomimetics and nanotechnology; computational physics; and astrophysics. We tailor students’ undergraduate research projects to their experience and ability so that all students can participate in discovery, from the freshman year to the senior year. Example projects include: fabricating biomimetric cilia to study viscous fluid flow, dynamics of a spring released from uniform circular motion, the effect of throwing technique on the motion of a boldeadora, a quark model calculation of a meson spectrum, designing an apparatus to measure Young’s modulus, finding an approximate age for the open star cluster NGC 2422, and measuring the elasticity of Thera-Band resistance bands.
Our graduates do whatever they want to do! There is no single career path that they choose. With strong problem solving skills and theoretical understanding, experience in designing and carrying out experiments, and knowledge of computational tools, our graduates are prepared for a variety of careers and graduate programs in science, engineering, and technology. Our graduates’ career choices are as diverse as our students themselves. Many physics students choose to double-major or minor in biochemistry, chemistry, math, or computer science in order to develop a broad theoretical and experiential background.
Potential careers and graduate study include all traditional areas in physics, astronomy, engineering, atmospheric science, nanotechnology, microelectronics, computer programming and technology, materials science, biophysics and medical physics. However, physics majors may also choose a career in teaching, medicine, finance or law, for example. With analytical reasoning and problem solving skills developed through physics, you are equipped for nearly any related area and career.
Featured Graduate Profiles:
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Kevin Sanders, ’14 – Pursuing Ph.D. in Physics at Boston University
“HPU granted me freedom as a student. With such a supportive environment to live in, I never needed to worry about anything other than my studies. Even within those studies, there was substantial freedom: countless projects I chose myself, numerous opportunities to work with professors and bountiful occasions to give my own personal feedback. On top of that, HPU allowed me to present my own research at national conferences across the country in places like California, Florida, and Louisiana (courtesy of URCW grants).” |
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Nikki Sanford, ’13 – Law school at William and Mary
“My biggest mentor at HPU was Dr. Aaron Titus of the Physics Department. He was my physics advisor. He really helped encourage me to explore my variety of interests whether it was research…or pursuing a law degree. He also helped give me the opportunities to attend conferences and do presentations that not only helped my confidence but helped me find experiences like this one [Mather internship at the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology].” Watch Nikki’s internship profile. |
The Department of Physics offers both B.A. and B.S. degrees in Physics. To graduate from High Point University with these degrees, students must complete the following:
B.S. in Physics
| Major Requirements |
62 credits |
| University Core Requirements |
50 credits |
| Electives |
16 credits |
TOTAL
|
128 credits
|
B.A. in Physics
| Major Requirements |
48 credits |
| University Core Requirements |
50 credits |
| Electives |
30 credits |
TOTAL
|
128 credits
|
Requirements for a B.S. in Physics (62 credits):
- PHY 2001 Research and Scientific Writing in Physics I
- PHY 2002 Research and Scientific Writing in Physics II
- PHY 2010 Fundamentals of Physics I
- PHY 2020 Fundamentals of Physics II
- PHY 2030 Fundamentals of Physics III
- PHY 2100 Electronics
- PHY 3110 Classical Mechanics
- PHY 3210 Electricity and Magnetism
- PHY 3310 Quantum Mechanics
- PHY 3400 Statistical Mechanics and Thermal Physics
- PHY 4000 Undergraduate Research in Physics (4 credits required)
- MTH 1410 Calculus I
- MTH 1420 Calculus II
- MTH 2410 Calculus III
- MTH 2310 Linear Algebra
- MTH 3410 Differential Equations
- CSC 1710 Introduction to Programming
Requirements for a B.A. in Physics (48 credits):
- PHY 2010 Fundamentals of Physics I
- PHY 2020 Fundamentals of Physics II
- PHY 2030 Fundamentals of Physics III
- Three electives from: PHY 2100, 3110, 3210, 3310, 3400, and CHM 4020
- MTH 1410 Calculus I
- MTH 1420 Calculus II
- MTH 2410 Calculus III
- MTH 2310 Linear Algebra
- MTH 3410 Differential Equations
- CSC 1710 Introduction to Programming
Students will be advised in electing additional courses that will complement their career goals.
What’s the difference between a B.S and a B.A. in Physics?
A B.S. in Physics requires an additional 14 credit hours. The supplemental courses are PHY 2001 Research and Scientific Writing in Physics I and PHY 2002 Research and Scientific Writing in Physics II. In addition, students are required to take PHY 2100, 3110, 3210, 3310, 3400 and PHY 4100 (Undergraduate Research in Physics).
