Skip to main content
Eberly College of Arts & Sciences Department of Physics and Astronomy
Visit WVU Request Info Apply Now

Major in Physics

The Department of Physics and Astronomy offers two undergraduate degree programs, the Bachelor of Science (B.S.) and the Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Physics.

How does the universe work? Where does gravity come from? How do cells communicate? What makes bridges support heavy loads? These are all questions that physicists explore.

Jump to Section

Program Overview

Program Delivery: On-campus

We offer two undergraduate degree programs in Physics: the Bachelor of Arts (BA) and the Bachelor of Science (BS). Both programs are designed for students interested in STEM careers, while also providing excellent preparation for non-STEM fields.

With the appropriate electives, you can open doors to a significantly wider range of careers, including law, journalism, teaching, healthcare, administration and business.

Both the BA and BS degrees also prepare you for academic and professional graduate programs.

Our Physics and Astronomy faculty members are world-renowned leaders in their fields. From cutting-edge astrophysics, quantum materials and laser experiments to space-based plasma physics experiments and theory, we offer unique learning experiences.

As a Physics student, you can begin hands-on research as early as your first semester. For example, through the RockSat program — a NASA-sponsored initiative — students design, build and fly experiments into space.

Areas of Emphasis

  • Computational Physics

    Computational models sometimes help solve difficult problems in physics. Students in this area of emphasis learn statistical modeling and other related skills to help analyze various concepts in physics.

  • Medical Physics

    Students in the Medical Physics area of emphasis learn applications of physics that can lead to an exciting range of careers in the medical field. From researching and designing new medical equipment to helping plan radiation treatment for cancer patients, this area of physics is broad but important.

  • Physics Teaching

    For many of us, a love of physics developed from interacting with a motivational physics teacher. This area of emphasis allows students to earn a degree in physics while simultaneously preparing for a career in teaching at the middle or high school level. Students develop pedagogical skills to help others strengthen quantatitive reasoning and problem solving skills that are vital in physics -- and anywhere!

  • Space Physics

    Students in this area of emphasis learn skills that help address fundamental questions about our place in the universe, the history of our solar system and more. The challenges of understanding space exploration have led to fascinating expansions in technology, new industries and unprecedented relationships with other nations.

Opportunities

Explore the WVU Difference through this program's academic, research, and student life opportunities.

  • Hands-on participation in research at the undergraduate level and the ability to work with faculty members directly on experimental or theoretical studies — as early as your first semester.
  • Physics majors have discovered entirely new objects in the universe. One of these, the first fast radio burst, led to the Shaw Prize in Astronomy in 2023.
  • On-campus resources include 8 teaching labs; machine and electronics shops; a physics cleanroom; and facilities for high-performance computing, materials characterization, biological and health sciences, and computer science and electrical engineering.
  • Students travel to domestic and international conferences, often with funding, and enjoy regional trips to places like Coopers Rock and Ohiopyle State Parks for department events.
  • Earn academic credit through Eberly internship courses.
  • 500+ scholarships awarded annually by the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences.
  • Academic Enrichment Program offers funding for activities that complement, extend and enhance your academic experience.

Living Learning Communities

Find a community where you can live with others who share your interests. You will have opportunities to connect with faculty, staff and professionals in areas aligned with your LLC's emphasis. Learn more about WVU Living Learning Communities.

Student Organizations

To explore more organizations, visit WVUEngage where you can browse and manage organizations, find events, and showcase your involvement.

Professional Organizations

Network with professionals in your field as a student member of:

Research and Opportunities

Research Groups in Physics and Astronomy

  • Astronomy and Astrophysics: Focuses on gravitational waves, pulsars, black holes, fast radio bursts, star formation, galaxy evolution and formation, theoretical astrophysics and our Milky Way Galaxy.
  • Condensed Matter Physics: Studies materials, their interfaces and interactions to lay foundations for new physics applications.
  • Optical and Laser Physics: Uses light as a probe to learn about the microscopic electromagnetic behavior of novel materials and the thermodynamics of plasma.
  • Physics Education Research: Analyzes physics courses at WVU to improve their effectiveness and inclusivity.
  • Plasma and Space Physics: Examines plasma behavior to understand natural processes that occur in space plasmas and magnetically confined fusion plasmas.

Research Centers

Partnerships and Service Opportunities

  • Mountaineer Area Robotics: Partners with NASA, 4-H and the international FIRST robotics program to mentor middle and high school students in robotics.
  • Pulsar Science Collaboratory (PSC): An NSF-ITEST funded project run by the National Radio Astronomy Observatory and WVU Physics and Astronomy faculty that's allowed students to assist in the search for pulsars at the Green Bank Telescope since 2007.
  • Green Bank Observatory Partnership: WVU students and faculty use the 100-m Green Bank Telescope for research projects.
  • Science Public Outreach Team (SPOT): Recruits and trains student ambassadors to deliver STEM presentations to K-12 students across West Virginia.

Explore Career Paths

How does this degree prepare students for a career?

  1. Physics Teachers, Postsecondary

    Teach courses pertaining to the laws of matter and energy. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

    Also called: Instructor, Physics Instructor, Physics Professor, Professor

  2. Astronomers

    Observe, research, and interpret astronomical phenomena to increase basic knowledge or apply such information to practical problems.

    Also called: Astronomer, Astronomy Professor, Professor, Research Scientist

  3. Computer and Information Research Scientists

    Conduct research into fundamental computer and information science as theorists, designers, or inventors. Develop solutions to problems in the field of computer hardware and software.

    Also called: Computer Scientist, Control System Computer Scientist, Scientific Programmer Analyst

  4. Physicists

    Conduct research into physical phenomena, develop theories on the basis of observation and experiments, and devise methods to apply physical laws and theories.

    Also called: Health Physicist, Physicist, Research Scientist, Scientist

  5. Secondary School Teachers

    Teach students in one or more subjects, such as English, mathematics or social studies, at the secondary level in public or private schools. May be designated according to subject matter specialty.

    Also called: English Teacher, Math Teacher (Mathematics Teacher), Social Studies Teacher, Teacher

  6. Software Developers

    Research, design, and develop computer and network software or specialized utility programs. Analyze user needs and develop software solutions, applying principles and techniques of computer science, engineering, and mathematical analysis. Update software or enhance existing software capabilities. May work with computer hardware engineers to integrate hardware and software systems, and develop specifications and performance requirements. May maintain databases within an application area, working individually or coordinating database development as part of a team.

    Also called: Software Architect, Software Developer, Software Engineer, Systems Engineer, Application Developoer, Network Engineer, Application Integration Engineer

  7. Financial Quantitative Analysts

    Develop quantitative financial products used to inform individuals or financial institutions engaged in saving, lending, investing, borrowing, or managing risk. Investigate methods for financial analysis to create mathematical models used to develop improved analytical tools or advanced financial investment instruments.

  8. Lawyers

    Represent clients in criminal and civil litigation and other legal proceedings, draw up legal documents, or manage or advise clients on legal transactions. May specialize in a single area or may practice broadly in many areas of law.

    Also called: Assistant Attorney General, Associate Attorney, Attorney, Lawyer

  9. Physical Scientists, All Other

    All physical scientists not listed separately.

  10. Where Graduates are Working

    WVU Physics graduates have successful careers at a wide range of companies and organizations, such as:

    • Afiniti
    • Apple
    • Bristol Myers Squibb
    • Cincinnati Children’s Medical Center
    • Evolent Health
    • GCP Applied Technologies
    • Green Bank Observatory
    • Halliburton
    • Intel Corporation
    • IPG Photonics
    • L3Harris
    • Leidos
    • NASA Goddard Space Flight Center
    • National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL)
    • National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)
    • Phase Four
    • Rogue Space Systems Corporation
    • Sandia National Laboratories
    • U.S. Army Research Laboratory
    • U.S. Department of Defense
    • U.S. Department of Energy