Physics

The Bachelor of Arts in Physics, Bachelor of Science in Physics, and Physics Minor give students the opportunity to master fundamental laws and model-building techniques, awaken them to the power of the universe, and support knowledge in mathematics, engineering, and other fields. Physics students develop skills that are highly valued in industry and all types of organizations, including numeracy, problem solving, data analysis, and the communication of complex ideas.

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Degree options

UW Bothell offers two major degree options in Physics—a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) and a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)—as well as a Physics minor.

B.S. in Physics

The Bachelor of Science in Physics allows students to pursue a rigorous curriculum focused on the study of the universe from the largest galaxies to the smallest subatomic particles. The degree includes the traditional areas of physics and has four possible (non-transcripted) concentrations: general physics, astrophysics, biophysics and condensed matter. The B.S. is the most appropriate preparation for graduate study in physics.

B.A. in Physics

The Bachelor of Arts in Physics offers a rigorous curriculum covering the foundations of physics for students who want to pursue both physics and other disciplines or aspire to middle or high school teaching.

Minor in Physics

The Physics minor allows students to demonstrate depth and rigor of physics preparation while pursuing a major in a different discipline.


Physics major goals

Physics students will:

  • Reason about complex conceptual and quantitative physics problems and assess which reasoning approaches are appropriate in a given context.
  • Identify scholarly resources, analyze the body of literature on a topic, and evaluate their own work in the context of existing literature.
  • Communicate effectively about scientific content with faculty, with peers, and in professional settings.
  • Self-organize and self-regulate to work interdependently on team projects.
  • Apply programming skills to physics contexts and use specialized software and algorithms.
  • Design, conduct, and revise experiments reflectively, evaluating their process and outcomes quantitatively and qualitatively.
  • Reflect on and analyze ethical, historical, and societal considerations in science.
  • Be prepared to pursue internships, research positions, or other concrete opportunities for future career goals.

Careers in Physics

Studying Physics at UWB provides students with the knowledge and hands-on experience to be successful physicists and also to pursue careers in many diverse sectors. Our Physics graduates are fully prepared to enter a wide variety of occupations or to pursue further studies at graduate or professional schools. Physics graduates find satisfying and rewarding work in a wide array of industries and organizations, including:

  • Engineering
  • Computer and information systems
  • Education
  • Research laboratories
  • Space and astronomy
  • Medical science
  • Energy
  • Manufacturing
  • Geophysics and Meteorology
  • Intellectual property
  • Science writing