Majoring in Physics: An Overview

Physics is the science which investigates and attempts to explain the physical universe. The study of physics ranges from the very small to the very large. At the very small scale, physicists probe the basic particles out of which matter is made and the interactions between them. Among the particles are familiar ones, such as electrons and protons, and those less well known, such as neutrinos and quarks. At a larger scale, materials physics seeks to study and explain the physical properties of small and large collections of atoms. Much research is being done on the properties of materials, including bulk behavior,  intrinsic changes of behavior at lower dimensionality (quantum dots, or 2-dimensional interfaces), simple crystals, and complicated materials such as high temperature superconductors. At the largest end of the scale, physicists study the origin and structure of stars, galaxies, and the entire universe.

The results of physics investigations are more than esoteric facts. Advances in relativity and quantum mechanics have fundamentally altered the way in which we view the world. Physical understanding has led to tremendous advances in technology such as transistors, lasers, and microwaves. There has been a steady stream of devices from physics laboratories to use in industry, medicine, and everyday life.

Physics majors learn the physical laws which explain the workings of the universe and which are the foundation of our technology. Students also learn how to apply these laws to different situations. In applying the laws of physics to solve physics problems, students get training in analytical skills and laboratory methods. The skills one develops while studying physics, especially problem-solving, are attractive to many employers.

The primary research specialties within the department are materials physics, beams physics, and elementary particle physics. Materials physics (or condensed matter physics) studies microscopic and macroscopic physical properties of matter, such as high temperature superconductivity, whereas particle physics (or high energy physics) studies the basic forces and particles at the sub-atomic level. Beams physics explores the science and technology of producing high intensity beams which are then used in many other areas including materials science, particle physics, and medical physics. Two premiere national laboratories, Argonne and Fermilab, are located within an hour's drive of NIU. Most of the department's faculty collaborate with physicists at the national labs and utilize equipment there. Some staff members from Fermilab and Argonne teach courses at NIU and occasionally supervise the research efforts of our graduate students.  The department also has faculty with strong interests in physics education.  In addition, six current members of the Physics faculty have been named University Research Professor while one each have been named as a Presidential Teaching Ptrofessor and a Board of Trustees Professor.

A Bachelor of Science degree in physics can lead to a variety of post-graduate careers. It is the usual prerequisite to enrolling in graduate school in physics. An undergraduate degree in physics can also lead to graduate work in engineering, business, or medical school. It is an especially appropriate degree for a joint Ph.D./M.D. in Medical Physics or related research areas in medicine. Finally, a physics B.S. can be a terminal degree leading to employment in a number of applied physics fields in either the public or private sector, or, with the appropriate certification in education, employment as a secondary school science teacher.

During the past decade, students receiving B.S. degrees in physics from NIU have followed all of the above career paths. Almost half continued on to graduate school, predominantly in physics Ph.D. programs. Most graduate students in physics are financially independent, with jobs as research or teaching assistants. About 10% of our graduates became high school teachers while the remainder are employed as engineers, technical research assistants, sales representatives, or editors.