Undergraduate Degrees and Minors in Physics

Your Dream Job Awaits: Earn a Bachelor of Physics at BSU

Astrophysics. Quantum Technologies. Optics. Teaching. Whether you’re interested in exciting and challenging job opportunities in any of these fields or continuing to graduate school, a Bachelor of Science in Physics degree from Bridgewater State University is an excellent place to start.

If you’re searching for the best undergraduate physics programs, you’ll find them at BSU. Unlike other bachelor of physics programs, you won’t have to wait long for exciting career opportunities. Through our undergraduate programs, you’ll have access to state-of-the-art equipment and techniques. You may also work in research and internships as early as your sophomore year.

Through the Department of Physics, Photonics and Optical Engineering at BSU, you may tailor your undergraduate program to earn a minor or bachelor of physics that fits your interests and career goals.

BS, BA, Minor Physics Program Highlights

Two BSU students running a demo in the physics lab

Work with cutting-edge technology

In our physics undergraduate program, from the bachelor’s degree in physics to the physics minor, you’ll first work with experimental technology such as laser, optical and other electronic devices to get a feel for how they function. Then, you’ll move on to research-grade equipment for astrophysics, biophysics, quantum physics and computational physics research.sics, biophysics, quantum physics and computational physics research.

A student working with equipment in the BSU photonics lab

Study and research in state-of-the-art facilities

Whether you’re a physics minor or working toward a bachelor of physics, you’ll learn and practice your skills in the Quantum Technologies and Cold Atomic Lab; Single Molecule Biophysics Lab; an observatory with a telescope, filters and spectroscope; and the Photonics Research lab. BSU’s facilities and equipment help to make BSU’s one of the best undergraduate physics programs you’ll find.

Learn from the best

Offering one of the best undergraduate physics programs means that our faculty members have completed top doctoral programs and international research collaborations. They’ve also won more than six BSU Presidential Awards for outstanding teaching, collaboration and social justice.

Hands-on work you can’t get with other bachelor of physics degree programs

While studying for your bachelor’s degree or minor in physics, you’ll have the opportunity to complete either an honors thesis, internship, student teaching experience or capstone project. This will allow you to demonstrate your skills and apply your knowledge to real-world research and work before you graduate.

Gain experience while you study

You don’t need to wait until graduation to dip your toes into working in the field. Get some training and practice under your belt with regional optics companies as an intern or part-time employee. This work experience could also earn you course credit toward your bachelor’s degree or minor in physics.

Academic support and career advising

Each faculty member in BSU’s physics undergraduate program has fewer than 12 advisees. Because of this, you and your peers will have personal attention and guidance in everything from classroom instruction to internships, research projects or other experiential learning opportunities while you complete your bachelor of physics or minor.

Small class sizes mean big benefits

Learn in classes with fewer than 20 undergraduate students. This will give you easy access to additional help from your instructors, plus the chance to get to know and collaborate with fellow physics majors and minors.

Find community with like-minded peers and faculty

Join the nationally recognized BSU chapter of the Society of Physics Students, which has garnered an Outstanding Chapter Award . Help organize or attend the group’s speaker series and other special events for physics majors and minors, or simply connect with fellow classmates and instructors outside of class. These in-person opportunities will help you make the most of your physics program experience.

Program of Study for Minor, BS, BA, Minor Physics Students

Our Bachelor of Physics program is one of the best undergraduate physics programs around. Through it, you’ll explore many scientific disciplines, including:

Biophysics
Quantum optics
Quantum entanglement and technologies
Standard model particle theory
Astrophysics and general relativity
Astronomical imaging
Computational physics
Physics pedagogy and teaching

Should you choose to minor in physics, you’ll study general and modern physics to give you a good foundation in the field. BSU also offers upper-level elective courses in physics specialization areas — such as semiconductor devices, electronics and photonics — that are typically only part of the curriculum at larger universities or grad schools.

Click any link below to reveal each program's course detail.

Program details from 2023-2024 Undergraduate/Graduate Catalog

“Bridgewater State University physics faculty and courses set me up for success in both my academic and professional career. The lab and equipment skills I gained during classwork and undergraduate research have been pivotal to my job as a laser engineer.”

Tyler Holloway, ’14

Physics, BS

Careers in Physics

Armed with bachelor’s degrees from some of the best undergraduate physics programs you’ll find, BSU grads typically go on to graduate school, become teachers or start work in industry. The demand is high for qualified professionals with a bachelor’s degree in physics. Our alumni have worked for a number of leading tech companies, including MIT Lincoln Labs, Hubspot, Draper Labs, the Navy Underseas Warfare Center and more as:

Optical or laser engineers
Optical or quantum technologists and metrologists
Software engineers
Calibration engineers
Medical researchers and technicians
Middle and high school physics teachers

Should you choose to minor in physics, you may apply what you learn as a teacher, engineer or other science professional.

Continue your education beyond your physics undergraduate degree

Recent BSU grads with a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science in Physics are pursuing advanced degrees in physics at the University of Pennsylvania, Boston College, UCLA, Clemson, Wake Forest, Indiana University, Texas A&M and many other graduate schools.

If you want to continue your education beyond your Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science in Physics, you can also complete a Master of Science in Physics in just 18 months at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth.

Through BSU’s cooperative agreement with UMass Dartmouth, you could be accepted into the graduate program during your junior year. Then, you may count two BSU classes toward your master’s degree at UMass Dartmouth and take graduate classes there before you graduate from BSU.

View BSU Graduate Programs »

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