Physics | High Point University

The Wanek School of Natural Sciences is a community of more than 450 scientist scholars.

With the development of strong problem-solving skills, theoretical understanding, experience in designing and carrying out experiments, and extensive application of computational modeling and computer programming, physics majors are prepared for careers and graduate programs in fields such as astronomy, mathematics, earth science, engineering, atmospheric science, and biophysics.

Wanek School of Natural Sciences

One University Parkway High Point, NC 27268

Related Majors & Minors Undergraduate Admissions Campus Map

(800) 345-6993

naturalsciences@highpoint.edu

Daily from 8:00am — 5:00pm

Faculty & Staff

Briana Fiser

Chair and Associate Professor of Physics

bfiser@highpoint.edu

+1 (336) 841-9412

Brad Barlow

Associate Professor of Astrophysics; Director of the Culp Planetarium; Co-Director Natural Sciences Fellows

bbarlow@highpoint.edu

+1 (336) 841-9542

Jacob Brooks

Visiting Assistant Professor, Physics

jbrooks@highpoint.edu

336-841-9755

Jarrett Lancaster

Assistant Professor of Physics

jlancas2@highpoint.edu

+1 (336)-841-9852

Jeffrey Regester

Instructor of Physics and Astronomy and Manager of Physics Shop

jregeste@highpoint.edu

+1 (336) 841-9757

Erin Brady

Planetarium and Physics Laboratory Manager

ebrady2@highpoint.edu

+1 (336) 841-2824

Undergraduate research, public outreach, summer internships, publications, and R&D projects…there’s a lot going on in the Department of Physics at High Point University. We invite you to browse our website, blog, course materials, and photo galleries. But if you really want to know what we are about, we encourage you to come to campus and spend time with our faculty, our physics majors, and our alumni. We love to talk physics and astronomy, and we love to show you our results.

Dr. Briana Fiser (bfiser@highpoint.edu)
Associate Professor and Chair, Department of Physics
(336) 841-9412

Course Requirements 2022/2023

Bachelor of Arts in Physics

Degree Requirements	Credits
Major Requirements	48 Credits
University Core Requirements	36-44 Credits
Electives	36-44 Credits
Total	128

Bachelor of Science in Physics

Degree Requirements	Credits
Major Requirements	62 Credits
University Core Requirements	36-44 Credits
Electives	22-30 Credits
Total	128

Requirements for the B.A. in Physics

Course	Course Title	Credits
CSC 1710	Introduction to Programming	4
PHY 2010	Fundamentals of Physics I	4
PHY 2020	Fundamentals of Physics II	4
PHY 2030	Modern Physics	4
Complete all courses falling in either the Pure Mathematics or the Applied Mathematics track. Pure Mathematics*:
MTH 1410	Calculus I	4
MTH 1420	Calculus II	4
MTH 2310	Linear Algebra	4
MTH 2410	Calculus III	4
MTH 3410	Differential Equations	4
Applied Mathematics**
MTH 1410 and MTH 1420	Calculus Iand Calculus II	4
OR
MTH 1415 and MTH 1425	Mathematics for Engineers I and Mathematics for Engineers II	4
AND
MTH/PHY 2050	Mathematical Methods in Engineering and Physics I	4
MTH/PHY 2150	Mathematical Methods in Engineering and Physics II	4
PHY 2200	Computational Physics	4
Select three PHY electives from the following list:***
PHY 2100	Electronics	4
PHY 2200	Computational Physics	4
PHY 3110	Classical Mechanics	4
PHY 3210	Electromagnetism	4
PHY 3310	Quantum Mechanics	4
PHY 3400	Statistical and Thermal Physics	4
PHY 3500	Biological Physics	4
PHY 3600	Optics	4
PHY 3700	Modern Astrophysics	4
Course Descriptions

*The Pure Math option is especially appropriate for students double majoring in math and physics.

**The Applied Math option is especially appropriate for students majoring in physics or double majoring in physics and computer science or physics and engineering.

***Two of these electives must come from PHY 3110, PHY 3210, PHY 3310, and PHY 3400. If completing the Applied Mathematics track, PHY 2200 may not be used to satisfy elective requirements.

Requirements for a B.S. in Physics

Course	Course Tile	Credits
CSC 1710	Introduction to Programming	4
PHY 2001	Research and Scientific Writing in Physics I	1
PHY 2002	Research and Scientific Writing in Physics II	2
PHY 2010	Fundamentals of Physics I	4
PHY 2020	Fundamentals of Physics II	4
PHY 2030	Modern Physics	4
PHY 2100	Electronics	4
PHY 3110	Classical Mechanics	4
PHY 3210	Electromagnetism	4
PHY 3310	Quantum Mechanics	4
PHY 3400	Statistical and Thermal Mechanics	4
PHY 4000	Undergraduate Research	3
Complete all courses falling in either the Pure Mathematics or the Applied Mathematics track. Pure Mathematics*
MTH 1410	Calculus I	4
MTH 1420	Calculus II	4
MTH 2310	Linear Algebra	4
MTH 2410	Calculus III	4
MTH 3410	Differential Equations	4
Applied Mathematics**:
MTH 1410 and MTH 1420	Calculus I and Calculus II	4
OR
MTH 1415 and MTH 1425	Mathematics for Engineers I and Mathematics for Engineers II	4
AND
MTH/PHY 2050	Mathematical Methods in Engineering and Physics I	4
MTH/PHY 2150	Mathematical Methods in Engineering and Physics I	4
PHY 2200	Computational Physics	4
Course Descriptions

Career Opportunities

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.

According to statistics from the American Institute of Physics shown below, nearly half of physics majors graduating from High Point University will enter industry and just over half will attend graduate school. Approximately one fourth of our alumni will attend graduate school in physics or astronomy, and approximately one fourth will attend graduate school in engineering, computer science, materials science, or a related field in science, engineering, and technology.

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.

Here is a selection of some of our graduates’ next steps, chosen to illustrate how well physics prepares you broadly:

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Ph.D. candidate in acoustics at Pennsylvania State University
Ph.D. candidate in geosciences at Pennsylvania State University
Ph.D. candidate in astronomy at the University of Virginia
Ph.D. candidate in astrophysics at Dartmouth College
Quality Engineer at Northrup Grumman Space Systems
M.S. candidate in applied physics at Johns Hopkins
Physics and chemistry teacher at Greensboro Day School
Operations Analyst at Corvid Technologies
Application Program Manager at the 3-D printing company Carbon in the San Francisco Bay Area
M.S. in mechanical engineering from Clemson
Project Steering Analyst at BMW Manufacturing
M.S. in physics from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Cisco Systems
M.S. in medical physics from Duke University
Medical physicist at West Virginia University
Ph.D. in bioengineering from North Carolina State University
Research engineer at Novozymes
Ph.D. from Virginia Tech
Department of Mathematical Sciences Instructor at High Point University

Student Outcomes

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Jordan McClung

With another successful Commencement behind us, High Point University graduates are commencing prestigious career paths around the world at Fortune 500 companies, international service programs, public school systems, top-tier law,…

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Megan Mouton

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Sarah Nowell

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Nolan Roth

NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center

Name: Nolan Roth Hometown: Yutan, Nebraska Year: Class of 2020 Major: Physics and computer science with a minor in mathematics Internship: Roth is interning with NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center…

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READ MORE INTERNSHIP PROFILES Name: Holden Harrington Hometown: Pittsboro, North Carolina Year: Class of 2022 Major: Double major in entrepreneurship and physics win a minor in mathematics Internship: Harrington joined…

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With another successful commencement behind us, recent High Point University graduates are preparing to commence prestigious career paths around the world at Fortune 500 companies, international service programs, public school systems, top-tier…

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Name: Christopher Schorn Hometown: Kennett Square, Pennsylvania Year: Class of 2020 Major: Physics with a computer science minor Internship: As part of the internship and co-op program at Tesla in…

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Name: Rebecca Ulrich Hometown: Troutman, North Carolina Major: Ulrich will graduate on May 5 with a B.S. in Biochemistry and a minor in Physics. Post-graduation plans: After being accepted to eight graduate…

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Ph.D. candidate in acoustics at Pennsylvania State University
Ph.D. candidate in geosciences at Pennsylvania State University
Ph.D. candidate in astronomy at the University of Virginia
Ph.D. candidate in astrophysics at Dartmouth College
Quality Engineer at Northrup Grumman Space Systems
M.S. candidate in applied physics at Johns Hopkins
Physics and chemistry teacher at Greensboro Day School
Operations Analyst at Corvid Technologies
Application Program Manager at the 3-D printing company Carbon in the San Francisco Bay Area
M.S. in mechanical engineering from Clemson
Project Steering Analyst at BMW Manufacturing
M.S. in physics from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Cisco Systems
M.S. in medical physics from Duke University
Medical physicist at West Virginia University
Ph.D. in bioengineering from North Carolina State University
Research engineer at Novozymes
Ph.D. from Virginia Tech
Department of Mathematical Sciences Instructor at High Point University

Keep Reading

Study Abroad

At High Point University, our emphasis on global perspectives is designed to provide students with opportunities to enhance their international awareness and to develop their cross-cultural communication skills. Study abroad is strongly encouraged as a part of this emphasis on global studies. With a variety of extraordinary options at some of the most prestigious universities in the world, students at High Point University are encouraged to study abroad as early as the summer after their freshman year. Employers are looking for more than just a degree; they want well-rounded individuals who have familiarity with diverse cultures, special skills, and knowledge of the world around them.

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Society of Physics Students

The Society of Physics Students (SPS) at HPU is an official university club and a member of the Student Government Association (SGA).

Summer Undergraduate Research Program

SuRPS will provide an opportunity for faculty mentors and students to work together on undergraduate research projects for eight weeks at HPU.

Science in Pictures

Our new state-of-the-art facility features innovative labs, study spaces, ample classrooms, a learning lab and the Culp Planetarium.

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