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.
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.
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
Wanek School of Natural Sciences
One University Parkway High Point, NC 27268
Faculty & Staff
Associate Professor of Astrophysics; Director of the Culp Planetarium; Co-Director Natural Sciences Fellows
Instructor of Physics and Astronomy and Manager of Physics Shop
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
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Course Requirements 2022/2023
Bachelor of Arts in Physics
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
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
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.
**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
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 |
*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.
**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.
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:
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:
- 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
- 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
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.