Bachelor of Arts in Physics

Our students become dynamic and well-rounded scholars who know the physical concepts of the laws of nature, how these concepts answer questions and solve real problems; they enjoy careers in fields ranging from basic and applied research, science education, lab technicians or academia.

Physicists explore science and how things work. Our students learn the physical concepts of the laws of nature and how these concepts answer questions and solve real problems. Earning a bachelor’s degree in physics takes curiosity, natural talent and diligence as students explore everything from the smallest subatomic particles to the largest galaxies. Physics students become experts in a field that is involved in nearly everything, from curing cancer to developing clean energy technologies.

  • Learn from one of the top physics programs in the world
  • Understand physics in relation to astronomy, biology, engineering, chemistry and medicine
  • Prepare to use your rigorous scientific education to solve real-world problems

One of the top 15 physics programs in the world

(Academic Ranking of World Universities, 2020)

Learn from world-renowned faculty, including Nobel laureates, Packard fellows, MacArthur fellows and Presidential Early Career Award winner

Gain research experience alongside National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) scientists through our PREP program

Be successful.

Be prepared to meet the needs of our 21st-century society by applying your knowledge of physics in a variety of careers.

 
$54,500

Median salary of CU Boulder physics students 1–5 years after graduation

 

Work for scientific institutes (NIST, NOAA, NCAR, NREL) or in biomedical engineering, materials technology, energy or academia as a laser applications engineer, systems analyst, lab technician, researcher or science educator

 

Jobs for physicists and astronomers are expected to grow 14% from 2016 to 2026, faster than average for all jobs

(U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)

Academic Plan & Requirements

Students studying physics must meet the general requirements of the College of Arts and Sciences as well as one of our three plans of study:

  • Plan 1: Designed for students who plan to pursue graduate study in physics or go directly into professional employment.
    • 45 credit hours of physics courses
  • Plan 2: Designed for students who wish to learn applied physics, or who wish to combine a physics major with another area of study, such as applied mathematics, biophysics, chemical physics, environmental science, history and philosophy of science, or premedicine.
    • Applied physics program
      • 33 credit hours of physics courses
      • 15 credit hours of applied physics courses
    • Physics plus another area of study
      • 33 credit hours of physics courses
      • 3 credit hours of physics electives
      • 12 credit hours of interdisciplinary courses
    • Plan 3: Designed for students planning to become elementary or secondary schoolteachers. This plan includes a teaching licensure in cooperation with the School of Education.
      • 30 credit hours of physics minimum
      • 35 credit hours in education courses minimum

Additional degree option for physics students includes:

  • Bachelor’s-accelerated master’s: A combined bachelor's (BA) and master's (MA) degree is offered for highly motivated undergraduate students. The BA/MA program allows students to take advanced courses at an accelerated pace, engage in an independent research project and obtain both degrees in five years. This program is best suited for physics students interested in professional employment rather than graduate school.

Community & Involvement

Physics majors have many opportunities to network with peers and faculty, further their studies, and get the most out of their undergraduate experience.

Be inspired.

The physics department has an extensive list of alumni who have worked in a variety of fields across the globe.

Some alumni of the program include:

(BS'55)
Professor emeritus of theoretical math and physics at CU Boulder. His work is the basis for general relativistic correction being properly included in the Global Positioning System.

Stephen Halley White

(BS'63)
Emeritus professor of physiology and biophysics at the University of California, Irvine.

(BS'00)
Assistant professor in genetics and in bioengineering at Stanford University.

Taryn Elliott

(BS'07) 
An attorney specializing in intellectual property law and complex commercial litigation with the Polsinelli law firm in Denver.

Hosea Rosenberg

(BS'97) 
Owner of Blackbelly restaurant in Boulder.

Joe Romig

(BS'63; PhD Astrogeophysics '75)
Founder of the consulting firm Ponderosa Associates, a two-time All-American selection and runner-up for the Heisman Trophy when he played football at CU, and a Rhodes Scholar. He also worked in the advanced planetary program section of Martin Marietta (now Lockheed Martin) and contributed to NASA’s Voyager missions.

Thomas Bliska

(BA'77)
General partner at Crosslink Capital in San Francisco. As an investment analyst and later as a portfolio manager, Bliska recognized the early signs of global warming and environmental degradation, anticipating the resulting challenges to the global economy.

News & Stories

College of Arts & Sciences magazine cover