Physics

Our students study the universal laws of the natural world to understand the devices that transform our lives, from pacemakers and artificial limbs to integrated circuits and rocket engines.

Student writing on a whiteboard

At Simmons, physics is not just theoretical

Our students put concepts to the test working alongside our expert faculty on research projects — and are encouraged to jump right in during their first year on campus.

Many of today's most exciting areas of research occur at the intersection of different science and engineering disciplines. Our curriculum, research programs and collaborations reflect this new interdisciplinary environment. You'll learn how to apply physics while gaining solid problem solving skills and computer-related experience that will help you no matter your chosen path.

Our graduates go on to a variety of innovative careers in industry and education. They're also well-prepared for medical school, law, dental or graduate programs in physics, chemistry, biochemistry and engineering. Premed students and other science majors often major or minor in physics as well to enhance and differentiate their backgrounds and widen their research experiences.

Physics majors take the following courses:

PHYS114 Fundamentals of Physics I 4
PHYS115 Fundamentals of Physics II 4
PHYS300 Mechanics 4
PHYS305 Electricity and Magnetism 4
PHYS331 Thermodynamics and Kinetics 4
PHYS332 Quantum Mechanics and Molecular Structure 4
PHYS350 Independent Study 0
PHYS390 Physics Seminar 1

Choose 4 credits from the following courses:

PHYS233 Introduction to Medical Imaging 4
PHYS245 Introduction to Biophysics 4
PHYS333 Advanced Topics in Modern Physics 4

Prerequisites and other required courses:

MATH120 Calculus I 4
MATH121 Calculus II 4
MATH220 Multivariable Calculus 4
MATH225 Differential Equations 4
 
CHEM111 Principles of General Chemistry 4
OR
CHEM113 General & Quantitative Chemistry I 4
 
CHEM112 Principles of Organic Chemistry 4
OR
CHEM224 Organic Chemistry I 4
 

20 credits chosen as follows:

PHYS114 Fundamentals of Physics I 4
PHYS115 Fundamentals of Physics II 4
PHYS231 Classical Waves 2
PHYS232 Modern Physics 2

Choose 8 credits from the following (at least one 300-level):

PHYS233 Introduction to Medical Imaging 4
PHYS245 Introduction to Biophysics 4
PHYS300 Mechanics 4
PHYS305 Electricity and Magnetism 4
PHYS331 Thermodynamics and Kinetics 4
PHYS332 Quantum Mechanics and Molecular Structure 4
PHYS333 Advanced Topics in Modern Physics 4

You'll meet regularly with a faculty advisor to plan a program of study that matches your interests and career goals. If you're interested in future graduate or professional study, such as medical or dental school, make sure you meet with a health professions advisor as soon as possible so you can meet all the application requirements during your undergraduate study.

Many students choose to combine the study of physics with a complementary major or minor. A minor in physics is also available for students pursuing other majors. 

Research and internships are key elements of our program. You'll grow in skill level and confidence as you master applied physics in the classroom, at the bench and out in the field.

Our students:

  • Conduct research, travel to scientific meetings, and publish with faculty
  • Conduct independent research as a senior and write a thesis
  • Are awarded summer fellowships
  • Attend graduate or medical school

Recent REU programs and summer fellowship sites that students attended:

  • University of Washington
  • Johns Hopkins University
  • Columbia University
  • Massachusetts Institute of Technology
  • Harvard University
  • Oregon State
  • California Institute of Technology
  • University of Colorado
  • Cornell University

Our physics majors/minors recently attended or are attending graduate programs or medical school at:

  • Auburn University
  • University of Western Australia
  • NY Medical College
  • Columbia University
  • Northeastern University
  • McGill University
  • Tufts University
  • George Washington University
  • Washington University
  • University of Oregon
  • Boston University
  • Emory University School of Medicine

A sample of student thesis topics:

  • Degradation of [Ir(ppy)2(dtb-bpy)]PF6, Heather Bankowski
  • A Study of Thermal Noise for Enhanced LIGO, Lucienne Merrill (The experimental work was carried out at MIT under the supervision of Dr. Gregg Harry.)
  • A Green Process to Depolymerize PLA, Jennifer Boice
  • Characterization of Poly(lactic acid) in Various Standard Acidic Conditions by Scanning Electron Microscopy, Lauren Morrell
  • Microfluidics: Electrowetting, Regina Yopak
  • Dynamic light scattering analysis of aggregation processes in ß-amyloid fibrils, Kathy Chaurasiya
  • Templating the growth and nucleation of calcium oxalate monohydrate on gold via microcontact printing, Tania M. Cabrera
  • Identification of steroids by post-source decay fragmentation MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry, Sheri Benson
  • Synthesis and Aggregation of New Colloidal Particles, Pamela Sahota
  • Synthesis, Characterization and Use of Bipyridyl Ruthenium Complexes in Organic Light-Emitting Diodes, Erica Gunn.
  • Characterization of an FSIR Sensor, Emily Coombs
  • A Validation of Two Forensic Procedures for the Detection of Salivary Amylase, Hannah Knowles

Who Is Hiring Physics Bachelor’s?

A state-by-state listing of the many employers who recently hired physics bachelor’s into science and engineering positions.

Latest Employment Data for Physicists and Astronomers

Reports that provide the latest data on where physicists work and what they do throughout the economy and at different degree levels.

Statistical Research Center

Current data on education and employment in physics, astronomy, and allied fields, including interactive resources, full reports, and individual graphs and tables.

Associate Professor of Chemistry and Physics Arpita Saha

Simmons Receives Award from NASA to Support Women and Minority STEM Students

This month, NASA awarded $5 million to women's colleges and universities to help increase the retention of women in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and math. Associate Professor Arpita Saha, who specializes in synthetic chemistry and researches metal-based cancer drugs, was instrumental in crafting a bold, innovative vision to help Simmons obtain this award and address the gender gap in STEM.

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Spotlight on Physics Students and Alums

Chloie "CJ" Johnson

STEM Student Attends Conference for Undergraduate Women in Physics

CJ ’24 (Chloie Johnson) attended the American Physical Society’s Conference for Undergraduate Women in Physics (CUWiP) at Boston University in January 2023. They spoke with us about their experience at the conference and their love for science. Tell us about...


Photo of student Dan Nguyen

Dan Nguyen ’23 Receives Robert Y. Young Award

Physics major Dan Nguyen has received a prestigious award from the Acoustical Society of America (ASA). Nguyen began her research as a SURPASs (Summer Undergraduate Research Program at Simmons) scholar and is now testing her theories at the new science building. She spoke with us about her project, what drew her to Simmons, and her future plans.


Associate Professor of Physics Phillip Jason White with BMUS Lab Students

Simmons Students Experiment with Focused Ultrasound

"I like to connect physics to healthcare, to give my students context," says Associate Professor of Physics Phillip Jason White. "I’ve worked in health care for over 20 years — in radiology, transplantation, cardiology, neurology — and I use all...


Headshot of Hannah Sieber

Simmons Taught Hannah Sieber '14 to Speak Up, Now She Teaches Students to be Confident

Software engineer, Hannah Sieber '14, followed her passion for teaching and launched TriTutoring LLC in May 2020. In addition to tutoring, Sieber helps students be their best selves and gain confidence.


From top left: Catherine Cox '23, Brianna Desharnais '22, Julia Hart '21, Lauren Howard '22, Evangeline Kennedy '21, Irmana Monem '21, and Graciella Rios Ortega '21

Passionate Leaders Project: Spring 2021 Cohort

The Passionate Leaders Project supports undergraduate students seeking to enrich their academic and professional interests by funding learning opportunities beyond the boundaries of the traditional classroom. Learn what the Spring 2021 cohort is up to!


Headshot of Julia Hart

Julia Hart '21 on Taking our Last Chance to Combat Carbon Dioxide Emissions

Julia Hart '21 is a keynote speaker at the 2021 Undergraduate Symposium! Learn more about her project, "Engineering a Bi-functional Heterostructure for Enhanced and Selective CO2 Adsorption/Reduction Under Visible Light Irradiation."


Main College Building cupola with fall leaves

Passionate Leaders Project: Fall 2020 Cohort

The Passionate Leaders Project supports undergraduate students seeking to enrich their academic and professional interests by funding learning opportunities beyond the boundaries of the traditional classroom.