B.S. in Physics

Siena's physics degree focuses on active student participation in cutting-edge research. This hands-on experience, in addition to a demanding curriculum, teaches you how to think critically and prepares you for exciting careers in a broad range of fields.

Program Highlights

• Undergraduate research
• Small class sizes
• Dynamic, growing department
• Commitment to exploring new and effective pedagogical techniques
• Accessible faculty
• Student travel (Puerto Rico, China, Greenland and more)
• Access to computational cluster
• Interdisciplinary work in biophysics, electrical engineering, and astrochemistry

Requirements for the Major

• PHYS130 - General Physics I 4 credits
• PHYS140 - General Physics II 4 credits
• PHYS220 - Modern Physics 4 credits
• PHYS250 - Intro to Computational Physics 3 credits
• PHYS260 - Thermal Physics 3 credits
• PHYS470 - Advanced Laboratory I 1 TO 3 credits
• PHYS472 - Advanced Laboratory II 1 TO 2 credits

AND

• PHYS370 - Experimental Techniques 2 credits

OR

• PHYS380 - Observational Astronomy 3 credits

AND

And students must complete 4 additional advanced courses (numbered 300 and above). Courses must total at least 13 credits. At least two of the courses must come from the following:

• PHYS310 - Mechanics I 4 credits
• PHYS410 - Electromagnetic Theory I 4 credits
• PHYS440 - Quantum Physics 3 credits

Auxiliary courses (32 credits)

• CHEM110 - General Chemistry 1 4 credits
• MATH110 - Calculus I 4 credits
• MATH120 - Calculus II 4 credits
• MATH210 - Calculus III 4 credits
• MATH325 - Differential Equations 3 credits
• MATH330 - Intro to Applied Mathematics I 3 credits
• SCDV230 - Electronic Instrumentation 4 credits

AND

• MATH230 - Linear Algebra 3 credits

OR

• MATH430 - Intro to Applied Math II 3 credits

AND

One Computer Science Course, CSIS 110 or higher (3 credits)

Transfer students from two-year colleges may receive credit for General Physics I, II, Modern Physics, Thermal Physics, Calculus I, II, III, Differential Equations, General Chemistry I and General Chemistry II.

Pre-engineering students are advised to take General Physics I and II in the freshman year.

Success Stats

• 100% of recent graduates are employed or in graduate school
• 100% of students participate in an independent study or research project and 80% of students have received paid summer research internships
• $4 million in active research grants was secured by the National Science Foundation, NASA, the Department of Defense and Department of Energy
• The freshman retention rate is 94%

Skills Developed

• Understanding of the fundamental concepts and theories of physics.
• Strong analytical skills and facility with mathematical modeling.
• Demonstrated ability with laboratory equipment and techniques including computers as analytical and experimental tools.
• Ability to analyze and interpret experimental data, and assess the statistical significance of results.
• Aptitude for researching and clearly expressing scientific ideas using oral, visual and written communication.
• Ability to evaluate the quality of scientific information.
• Competence in designing, planning and conducting an independent research project.
• Familiarity with the historical development of physics.

Recent Employers of our Graduates

• General Dynamics
• GE
• GlobalFoundries
• IBM
• Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory
• NASA
• Plug Power
• Sematech
• Southwest Research Institute
• SuperPower Inc.
• Unique Technical Services
• U.S. Air Force
• U.S. Army
• X-Ray Optical Systems
• Zoetis Pharmaceutical

Internships Sites

• Jet Propulsion Laboratory
• American Museum of Natural History
• University of Vermont
• University of Colorado, Boulder
• Northern Arizona University
• Sematech
• X-Ray Optical Systems

Where our Alumni Go to Graduate School

• Boston University
• Dartmouth College
• Duke University
• East Caroline University
• Hofstra University
• Massachusetts Institute of Technology
• Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
• San Francisco State University
• Stanford University
• SUNY Polytechnic Institute Colleges of Nanoscale Science and Engineering
• Temple University
• University of Connecticut
• University of Maryland
• University of Pennsylvania
• University of Washington

Job Titles of Recent Graduates

• Chief Executive Officer
• Chief Financial Officer
• Engineer
• Medical Physicist
• Physician (MD)
• Physics Teacher
• Project Manager
• Quality Control Technician
• Research Assistant
• Science Writer