Physics

Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Physics

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About the Program

Take advantage of our nationally-recognized program that covers everything from astronomy and astrophysics, digital electronics and thermodynamics - to geophysics, quantum mechanics and applied nuclear physics.
Join our student organizations for field trips, physics outreach, networking and professional development. Prestigious internships are also available.

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Earning your ASU physics degree will open career doors for you in aerospace technology, astronomy and astrophysics, architecture, military defense, computer science, medicine, business and many other fields.

Our graduates have gone straight to work at places like Halliburton, Raytheon and the U.S. military. Many have also gone on to graduate schools for physics and engineering.

Minors in Physics and Astronomy are also available.

Program Faculty

Our award-winning faculty are dedicated to teaching and research. You can collaborate with them on a wide variety of research projects, and our small class sizes mean you get the individual attention you deserve.

Career Opportunities

Start your career as soon as you graduate. The U.S. Department of Labor Statistics reports that employment opportunities in many physics-related fields are expected to increase at a higher than average rate through 2028.

Particular areas of job growth include physicists, astronomers, architects, materials scientists and all types of engineers.

<div class="wide-block quote-block "> <div class="quote-block__image"> <picture> <source type="image/webp" srcset="/live/image/gid/315/width/580/height/430/crop/1/src_region/49,1179,2619,3751/43556_COM_4587.rev.1602866102.webp 1x, /live/image/scale/2x/gid/315/width/580/height/430/crop/1/src_region/49,1179,2619,3751/43556_COM_4587.rev.1602866102.webp 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/315/width/580/height/430/crop/1/src_region/49,1179,2619,3751/43556_COM_4587.rev.1602866102.webp 3x"/> <source type="image/jpeg" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/315/width/580/height/430/crop/1/src_region/49,1179,2619,3751/43556_COM_4587.rev.1602866102.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/315/width/580/height/430/crop/1/src_region/49,1179,2619,3751/43556_COM_4587.rev.1602866102.jpg 3x"/> <img src="/live/image/gid/315/width/580/height/430/crop/1/src_region/49,1179,2619,3751/43556_COM_4587.rev.1602866102.jpg" alt="Students talking and laughing" width="580" height="430" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/315/width/580/height/430/crop/1/src_region/49,1179,2619,3751/43556_COM_4587.rev.1602866102.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/315/width/580/height/430/crop/1/src_region/49,1179,2619,3751/43556_COM_4587.rev.1602866102.jpg 3x" data-max-w="2570" data-max-h="2572" loading="lazy"/> </picture> </div> <div class="quote-block__content"> <div class="quote-block__quote"> <blockquote> <p> “The Society of Physics Students was very active. We had an opportunity to travel to Chicago and visit Fermilab for a national meeting. Through SPS I was able to see and interact with some fantastic leaders in the fields of astronomy, physics and engineering.”</p> </blockquote> </div> <div class="quote-block__caption"> <p><strong>Douglas Parsons</strong>, Class of 2008, Astronomy & Engineering Instructor, Tyler Junior College</p> </div> </div> </div>
<div class="wide-block quote-block "> <div class="quote-block__image"> <picture> <source type="image/webp" srcset="/live/image/gid/315/width/580/height/430/crop/1/src_region/0,0,3277,3276/43068_IMG_8425.rev.1602794780.webp 1x, /live/image/scale/2x/gid/315/width/580/height/430/crop/1/src_region/0,0,3277,3276/43068_IMG_8425.rev.1602794780.webp 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/315/width/580/height/430/crop/1/src_region/0,0,3277,3276/43068_IMG_8425.rev.1602794780.webp 3x"/> <source type="image/jpeg" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/315/width/580/height/430/crop/1/src_region/0,0,3277,3276/43068_IMG_8425.rev.1602794780.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/315/width/580/height/430/crop/1/src_region/0,0,3277,3276/43068_IMG_8425.rev.1602794780.jpg 3x"/> <img src="/live/image/gid/315/width/580/height/430/crop/1/src_region/0,0,3277,3276/43068_IMG_8425.rev.1602794780.jpg" alt="Student smiling into the camera" width="580" height="430" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/315/width/580/height/430/crop/1/src_region/0,0,3277,3276/43068_IMG_8425.rev.1602794780.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/315/width/580/height/430/crop/1/src_region/0,0,3277,3276/43068_IMG_8425.rev.1602794780.jpg 3x" data-max-w="3277" data-max-h="3276" loading="lazy"/> </picture> </div> <div class="quote-block__content"> <div class="quote-block__quote"> <blockquote> <p> “Dr. David Bixler took a personal interest in my academic career. He would answer late-night emails to get me back on track with assignments, and meet with myself and other students at any time, regardless of office hours and class schedules. He was always willing to help.”</p> </blockquote> </div> <div class="quote-block__caption"> <p><strong>Travis Barnett</strong>, Class of 2012, B.S. in Applied Physics</p> </div> </div> </div>
<div class="wide-block quote-block "> <div class="quote-block__image"> <picture> <source type="image/webp" srcset="/live/image/gid/315/width/580/height/430/crop/1/src_region/868,352,3252,2734/43164_COM_9133_3.rev.1602798278.webp 1x, /live/image/scale/2x/gid/315/width/580/height/430/crop/1/src_region/868,352,3252,2734/43164_COM_9133_3.rev.1602798278.webp 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/315/width/580/height/430/crop/1/src_region/868,352,3252,2734/43164_COM_9133_3.rev.1602798278.webp 3x"/> <source type="image/jpeg" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/315/width/580/height/430/crop/1/src_region/868,352,3252,2734/43164_COM_9133_3.rev.1602798278.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/315/width/580/height/430/crop/1/src_region/868,352,3252,2734/43164_COM_9133_3.rev.1602798278.jpg 3x"/> <img src="/live/image/gid/315/width/580/height/430/crop/1/src_region/868,352,3252,2734/43164_COM_9133_3.rev.1602798278.jpg" alt="Group of students preparing for the homecoming blue and gold event" width="580" height="430" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/315/width/580/height/430/crop/1/src_region/868,352,3252,2734/43164_COM_9133_3.rev.1602798278.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/315/width/580/height/430/crop/1/src_region/868,352,3252,2734/43164_COM_9133_3.rev.1602798278.jpg 3x" data-max-w="2384" data-max-h="2382" loading="lazy"/> </picture> </div> <div class="quote-block__content"> <div class="quote-block__quote"> <blockquote> <p> “It was fascinating to be introduced to the concepts of electricity, magnetism and optics! And while I hated writing them, the lab reports for Physics II really forced me into college-level reasoning and technical writing. All of these are skills I use on a regular basis.”</p> </blockquote> </div> <div class="quote-block__caption"> <p><strong>Jennifer Hendryx Parsons</strong>, Class of 2009</p> </div> </div> </div>
<div class="wide-block quote-block "> <div class="quote-block__image"> <picture> <source type="image/webp" srcset="/live/image/gid/315/width/580/height/430/crop/1/src_region/835,360,3211,2734/43164_COM_9133_3.rev.1602798278.webp 1x, /live/image/scale/2x/gid/315/width/580/height/430/crop/1/src_region/835,360,3211,2734/43164_COM_9133_3.rev.1602798278.webp 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/315/width/580/height/430/crop/1/src_region/835,360,3211,2734/43164_COM_9133_3.rev.1602798278.webp 3x"/> <source type="image/jpeg" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/315/width/580/height/430/crop/1/src_region/835,360,3211,2734/43164_COM_9133_3.rev.1602798278.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/315/width/580/height/430/crop/1/src_region/835,360,3211,2734/43164_COM_9133_3.rev.1602798278.jpg 3x"/> <img src="/live/image/gid/315/width/580/height/430/crop/1/src_region/835,360,3211,2734/43164_COM_9133_3.rev.1602798278.jpg" alt="Group of students preparing for the homecoming blue and gold event" width="580" height="430" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/315/width/580/height/430/crop/1/src_region/835,360,3211,2734/43164_COM_9133_3.rev.1602798278.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/315/width/580/height/430/crop/1/src_region/835,360,3211,2734/43164_COM_9133_3.rev.1602798278.jpg 3x" data-max-w="2376" data-max-h="2374" loading="lazy"/> </picture> </div> <div class="quote-block__content"> <div class="quote-block__quote"> <blockquote> <p> “The Physics Department is academically rigorous, incomparably caring about students in the program, and generates an atmosphere of camaraderie. It also facilitates student research, both at ASU and beyond.”</p> </blockquote> </div> <div class="quote-block__caption"> <p><strong>Jennifer Hendryx Parsons</strong>, Class of 2009, B.S. in Physics</p> </div> </div> </div>
<div class="wide-block quote-block "> <div class="quote-block__image"> <picture> <source type="image/webp" srcset="/live/image/gid/315/width/580/height/430/crop/1/src_region/0,0,2735,2736/43916_COM_7025.rev.1602883493.webp 1x, /live/image/scale/2x/gid/315/width/580/height/430/crop/1/src_region/0,0,2735,2736/43916_COM_7025.rev.1602883493.webp 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/315/width/580/height/430/crop/1/src_region/0,0,2735,2736/43916_COM_7025.rev.1602883493.webp 3x"/> <source type="image/jpeg" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/315/width/580/height/430/crop/1/src_region/0,0,2735,2736/43916_COM_7025.rev.1602883493.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/315/width/580/height/430/crop/1/src_region/0,0,2735,2736/43916_COM_7025.rev.1602883493.jpg 3x"/> <img src="/live/image/gid/315/width/580/height/430/crop/1/src_region/0,0,2735,2736/43916_COM_7025.rev.1602883493.jpg" alt="Student smiling at camera" width="580" height="430" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/315/width/580/height/430/crop/1/src_region/0,0,2735,2736/43916_COM_7025.rev.1602883493.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/315/width/580/height/430/crop/1/src_region/0,0,2735,2736/43916_COM_7025.rev.1602883493.jpg 3x" data-max-w="2735" data-max-h="2736" loading="lazy"/> </picture> </div> <div class="quote-block__content"> <div class="quote-block__quote"> <blockquote> <p> “Dr. David Bixler did not laugh in my face when I suggested I might want to triple-major. He asked me serious questions and gave me a plan of action to determine if what I wanted to do reasonable and if it was even possible.”</p> </blockquote> </div> <div class="quote-block__caption"> <p><strong>Sean Czarnecki</strong>, Class of 2017, Physics/Geoscience/Mathematics</p> </div> </div> </div>
<div class="wide-block quote-block "> <div class="quote-block__image"> <picture> <source type="image/webp" srcset="/live/image/gid/315/width/580/height/430/crop/1/src_region/0,360,3277,3637/43059_IMG_8403.rev.1602794766.webp 1x, /live/image/scale/2x/gid/315/width/580/height/430/crop/1/src_region/0,360,3277,3637/43059_IMG_8403.rev.1602794766.webp 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/315/width/580/height/430/crop/1/src_region/0,360,3277,3637/43059_IMG_8403.rev.1602794766.webp 3x"/> <source type="image/jpeg" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/315/width/580/height/430/crop/1/src_region/0,360,3277,3637/43059_IMG_8403.rev.1602794766.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/315/width/580/height/430/crop/1/src_region/0,360,3277,3637/43059_IMG_8403.rev.1602794766.jpg 3x"/> <img src="/live/image/gid/315/width/580/height/430/crop/1/src_region/0,360,3277,3637/43059_IMG_8403.rev.1602794766.jpg" alt="Students smiling into the camera holding up the ram hand" width="580" height="430" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/315/width/580/height/430/crop/1/src_region/0,360,3277,3637/43059_IMG_8403.rev.1602794766.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/315/width/580/height/430/crop/1/src_region/0,360,3277,3637/43059_IMG_8403.rev.1602794766.jpg 3x" data-max-w="3277" data-max-h="3277" loading="lazy"/> </picture> </div> <div class="quote-block__content"> <div class="quote-block__quote"> <blockquote> <p> “Dr. David Bixler is the coolest, yet smartest guy you’ll ever meet. He has a way of making the most ridiculous, mind-blowing concepts make sense.”</p> </blockquote> </div> <div class="quote-block__caption"> <p><strong>Jordan Sefcik</strong>, Class of 2012, B.S. in Applied Physics</p> </div> </div> </div>
<div class="wide-block quote-block "> <div class="quote-block__image"> <picture> <source type="image/webp" srcset="/live/image/gid/315/width/580/height/430/crop/1/src_region/0,0,4096,2664/44651_COM_9412.rev.1604438309.webp 1x, /live/image/scale/2x/gid/315/width/580/height/430/crop/1/src_region/0,0,4096,2664/44651_COM_9412.rev.1604438309.webp 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/315/width/580/height/430/crop/1/src_region/0,0,4096,2664/44651_COM_9412.rev.1604438309.webp 3x"/> <source type="image/jpeg" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/315/width/580/height/430/crop/1/src_region/0,0,4096,2664/44651_COM_9412.rev.1604438309.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/315/width/580/height/430/crop/1/src_region/0,0,4096,2664/44651_COM_9412.rev.1604438309.jpg 3x"/> <img src="/live/image/gid/315/width/580/height/430/crop/1/src_region/0,0,4096,2664/44651_COM_9412.rev.1604438309.jpg" alt="Student looking at specimen" width="580" height="430" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/315/width/580/height/430/crop/1/src_region/0,0,4096,2664/44651_COM_9412.rev.1604438309.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/315/width/580/height/430/crop/1/src_region/0,0,4096,2664/44651_COM_9412.rev.1604438309.jpg 3x" data-max-w="4096" data-max-h="2664" loading="lazy"/> </picture> </div> <div class="quote-block__content"> <div class="quote-block__quote"> <blockquote> <p> “The physics and geology programs are amazing because they focus on getting out and applying the concepts and skills learned in the classroom. Both programs also have many opportunities for undergraduate research.”</p> </blockquote> </div> <div class="quote-block__caption"> <p><strong>Sean Czarnecki</strong>, Class of 2017</p> </div> </div> </div>
<div class="wide-block quote-block "> <div class="quote-block__image"> <picture> <source type="image/webp" srcset="/live/image/gid/315/width/580/height/430/crop/1/src_region/0,0,2735,2736/43916_COM_7025.rev.1602883493.webp 1x, /live/image/scale/2x/gid/315/width/580/height/430/crop/1/src_region/0,0,2735,2736/43916_COM_7025.rev.1602883493.webp 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/315/width/580/height/430/crop/1/src_region/0,0,2735,2736/43916_COM_7025.rev.1602883493.webp 3x"/> <source type="image/jpeg" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/315/width/580/height/430/crop/1/src_region/0,0,2735,2736/43916_COM_7025.rev.1602883493.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/315/width/580/height/430/crop/1/src_region/0,0,2735,2736/43916_COM_7025.rev.1602883493.jpg 3x"/> <img src="/live/image/gid/315/width/580/height/430/crop/1/src_region/0,0,2735,2736/43916_COM_7025.rev.1602883493.jpg" alt="Student smiling at camera" width="580" height="430" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/315/width/580/height/430/crop/1/src_region/0,0,2735,2736/43916_COM_7025.rev.1602883493.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/315/width/580/height/430/crop/1/src_region/0,0,2735,2736/43916_COM_7025.rev.1602883493.jpg 3x" data-max-w="2735" data-max-h="2736" loading="lazy"/> </picture> </div> <div class="quote-block__content"> <div class="quote-block__quote"> <blockquote> <p> “The Modern Physics course reveals the true wonder and mystery of physics that every physics major craves.”</p> </blockquote> </div> <div class="quote-block__caption"> <p><strong>Sean Czarnecki</strong>, Class of 2017</p> </div> </div> </div>
<div class="wide-block quote-block "> <div class="quote-block__image"> <picture> <source type="image/webp" srcset="/live/image/gid/315/width/580/height/430/crop/1/src_region/0,0,3277,3276/43068_IMG_8425.rev.1602794780.webp 1x, /live/image/scale/2x/gid/315/width/580/height/430/crop/1/src_region/0,0,3277,3276/43068_IMG_8425.rev.1602794780.webp 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/315/width/580/height/430/crop/1/src_region/0,0,3277,3276/43068_IMG_8425.rev.1602794780.webp 3x"/> <source type="image/jpeg" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/315/width/580/height/430/crop/1/src_region/0,0,3277,3276/43068_IMG_8425.rev.1602794780.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/315/width/580/height/430/crop/1/src_region/0,0,3277,3276/43068_IMG_8425.rev.1602794780.jpg 3x"/> <img src="/live/image/gid/315/width/580/height/430/crop/1/src_region/0,0,3277,3276/43068_IMG_8425.rev.1602794780.jpg" alt="Student smiling into the camera" width="580" height="430" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/315/width/580/height/430/crop/1/src_region/0,0,3277,3276/43068_IMG_8425.rev.1602794780.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/315/width/580/height/430/crop/1/src_region/0,0,3277,3276/43068_IMG_8425.rev.1602794780.jpg 3x" data-max-w="3277" data-max-h="3276" loading="lazy"/> </picture> </div> <div class="quote-block__content"> <div class="quote-block__quote"> <blockquote> <p> “Angelo State’s physics program is top-notch. The personal care for each student that the professors show is what sets the department apart. They care, and because they care, their students are successful.”</p> </blockquote> </div> <div class="quote-block__caption"> <p><strong>Travis Barnett</strong>, Class of 2012, B.S. in Applied Physics</p> </div> </div> </div>
<div class="wide-block quote-block "> <div class="quote-block__image"> <picture> <source type="image/webp" srcset="/live/image/gid/315/width/580/height/430/crop/1/src_region/245,82,2891,2731/45242_COM_9906.rev.1604085366.webp 1x, /live/image/scale/2x/gid/315/width/580/height/430/crop/1/src_region/245,82,2891,2731/45242_COM_9906.rev.1604085366.webp 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/315/width/580/height/430/crop/1/src_region/245,82,2891,2731/45242_COM_9906.rev.1604085366.webp 3x"/> <source type="image/jpeg" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/315/width/580/height/430/crop/1/src_region/245,82,2891,2731/45242_COM_9906.rev.1604085366.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/315/width/580/height/430/crop/1/src_region/245,82,2891,2731/45242_COM_9906.rev.1604085366.jpg 3x"/> <img src="/live/image/gid/315/width/580/height/430/crop/1/src_region/245,82,2891,2731/45242_COM_9906.rev.1604085366.jpg" alt="Student smiling" width="580" height="430" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/315/width/580/height/430/crop/1/src_region/245,82,2891,2731/45242_COM_9906.rev.1604085366.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/315/width/580/height/430/crop/1/src_region/245,82,2891,2731/45242_COM_9906.rev.1604085366.jpg 3x" data-max-w="2646" data-max-h="2649" loading="lazy"/> </picture> </div> <div class="quote-block__content"> <div class="quote-block__quote"> <blockquote> <p> “Dr. David Bixler made my learning at ASU enjoyable. I loved his teaching style and his dedication to his students. I really wish there were more teachers and professors like him.”</p> </blockquote> </div> <div class="quote-block__caption"> <p><strong>Juan Olvera</strong>, Class of 2010, B.S. in Applied Physics</p> </div> </div> </div>
<div class="wide-block quote-block "> <div class="quote-block__image"> <picture> <source type="image/webp" srcset="/live/image/gid/315/width/580/height/430/crop/1/src_region/0,0,3277,3276/43068_IMG_8425.rev.1602794780.webp 1x, /live/image/scale/2x/gid/315/width/580/height/430/crop/1/src_region/0,0,3277,3276/43068_IMG_8425.rev.1602794780.webp 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/315/width/580/height/430/crop/1/src_region/0,0,3277,3276/43068_IMG_8425.rev.1602794780.webp 3x"/> <source type="image/jpeg" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/315/width/580/height/430/crop/1/src_region/0,0,3277,3276/43068_IMG_8425.rev.1602794780.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/315/width/580/height/430/crop/1/src_region/0,0,3277,3276/43068_IMG_8425.rev.1602794780.jpg 3x"/> <img src="/live/image/gid/315/width/580/height/430/crop/1/src_region/0,0,3277,3276/43068_IMG_8425.rev.1602794780.jpg" alt="Student smiling into the camera" width="580" height="430" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/315/width/580/height/430/crop/1/src_region/0,0,3277,3276/43068_IMG_8425.rev.1602794780.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/315/width/580/height/430/crop/1/src_region/0,0,3277,3276/43068_IMG_8425.rev.1602794780.jpg 3x" data-max-w="3277" data-max-h="3276" loading="lazy"/> </picture> </div> <div class="quote-block__content"> <div class="quote-block__quote"> <blockquote> <p> “Quantum Physics wasn’t my favorite class then, but looking back, it’s the one I’m most proud of myself for completing. I learned to tackle intimidating problems one simple step at a time. That’s how I approach my professional career.”</p> </blockquote> </div> <div class="quote-block__caption"> <p><strong>Travis Barnett</strong>, Class of 2012, CEO, Centerline Engineering & Consulting</p> </div> </div> </div>

Our Courses

Gain hands-on experience in our modern facilities that include dedicated physics labs and a full-dome Planetarium. Our state-of-the-art equipment is highlighted by a scanning electron microscope and LabView software.

Physics Course Descriptions

Physical Science Course Descriptions

Geology Course Descriptions