Bachelor of Science - Physics

Program Description The Department of Physics offers courses and concentrations designed to teach students about the fundamental processes that govern the universe. Students interested in majoring in physics can choose from several concentrations. The Standard Physics concentration provides a curriculum that highlights the core areas of theoretical and experimental physics. The Computational Physics concentration gives a curriculum that emphasizes the use of computer simulations as a tool to visualize and understand natural phenomena. For students who wish to apply a physics degree to a career outside of physics, the department offers a concentration entitled Interdisciplinary Physics. This concentration combines a major in physics with a minor in a second field of the student's choice with their advisor's consent. In each concentration, student participation in faculty research is an important component of the program at all levels. This experience prepares students for independent work in industry or graduate study in physics or in applied sciences such as optics, photonics, scientific computing, engineering, or computer science. Participation in research can be pursued either through independent study during the academic year or full-time during the summer quarter. For students interested in engineering, the department offers a concentration in Engineering Physics. Through a joint program with Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT), students can complete a five-year dual-degree program while remaining full-time DePaul students. This five-year program enables students to earn a BS degree in Physics from DePaul and a BS in Engineering from IIT in Mechanical, Aerospace, Electrical/Computer Engineering. Students interested in obtaining a BS in Physics with the Engineering Physics concentration must be accepted into one of these programs at IIT as part of the DePaul-IIT Joint Engineering Program. Additionally, students interested in engineering, but are not interested in the joint dual-degree program, will have the scientific basis to complete an engineering program at another institution after the first two years of the physics major curriculum at DePaul. Learning Outcomes ​Students will be able to: Demonstrate critical thinking, quantitative, and mathematical skills required to answer questions about the behavior of the universe. Create and interpret multiple representations of physics concepts through the use of mathematics, computational code, computer simulations, as well as written, graphical, and pictorial descriptions. Design, execute, and analyze experiments to test physics theories and hypotheses. Effectively communicate their understanding of physics concepts to scientists and non-scientists.