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Physics
Physicists strive to investigate and model nature in the most precise and fundamental ways possible. This has made physics a driving force in the continual scientific and technological revolutions that define the modern world. Our program offers rigorous training in the fundamentals of physics, from classical mechanics to quantum mechanics.
About
This program prepares students for work or graduate studies in physics, astronomy, engineering and other technical fields. Many students combine a degree in physics with studies in math, chemistry or computer science to prepare for interdisciplinary technical fields.
Research
Research is an important component of a physics education. While research skills are taught in our courses, many students also get additional experience outside of the classroom. In fact, bachelors of science students are required to do so. Students can work on research projects for credit by taking PHYS 378: Physics Research during the school year or for pay over the summer. In Redlands, the Stauffer Center for Science and Mathematics hosts a summer research program. At national labs and universities across the country, the National Science Foundation (NSF) sponsors Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program and the Department of Energy (DOE) sponsors the Science Undergraduate Laboratory Internships (SULI) program. Some of the labs in the SULI program offer internships during the school year as well as the summer. REU deadlines vary, but the application deadline for all SULI summer programs is typically on the same day in early January. All physics majors complete a senior thesis, which is often based on their research.
Academic programs
Additional info
The Physics department offers both Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees. Both majors offer training in the fundamentals of physics, from classical mechanics to quantum mechanics. The B.S. is specifically designed for students interested in staying in the field after graduation while the B.A. is more flexible for preparing for pursuing affiliated fields such as engineering.
We strongly recommend students begin either major with General Physics I (PHYS 231) and Calculus I (MATH 121) as early as possible. Ideally, you should take these two classes in the Fall of your first year, because it takes four years from the beginning of the General Physics sequence to complete the requirements for the Bachelor of Science degree.
Please note that General Physics I is offered during only the Fall semester, so a student would have to wait an entire year for it to be offered again. Also, only one section is offered (MWF 11-12:20 plus a choice of lab times). If this conflicts with your current First Year Seminar, your advisor and the physics department chair, Martín Hoecker-Martinez, can work with you to determine whether changing seminars would be recommended. If the course is full when you register, email the instructor, Martín Hoecker-Martinez. We will do our best to accommodate all qualified students who are interested in the major.
Calculus I is a co-requisite for General Physics I, but if you've placed out of it, we strongly encourage you to enroll in the highest calculus course for which you are qualified (Calculus II and III are required for General Physics II and III.) If you place into Integrated Calculus I (MATH 118) or lower, the soonest you could take General Physics I and II would be next year which would still allow you to complete the Physics BA (or you may take comparable summer courses.) Since the math placement exam evaluates your preparation to take Calculus by testing your algebraic skills, particularly those associated with Algebra II, we strongly encourage you to practice them skills over the summer. There are many good sites that can help you review; for example Kahn Academy and ALEKS.
Suggested first-year courses for students interested in physics:
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Fall
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First-year seminar
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General Physics I (PHYS 231) AND lab (PHYS 231L)
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Highest possible Calculus class (at least MATH 121)
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General Education
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Spring
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General Physics II (PHYS 232) AND lab (PHYS 232L)
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Highest possible Calculus class (at least MATH 122)
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General Education
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Additional course of interest
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Students are required to have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 in the General Physics (PHYS 231-233) and Calculus (MATH 121,122, and 221) sequences in order to declare a physics major.
In cooperation with Columbia University and Washington at St. Louis, the Physics department also supports engineering combined degree pathway.
Math Placement results are available in Self-Service under “Test Scores”. Students who want to register for a math course into which they have not placed must complete the appropriate math placement.
New and Transfer Students: Students should have completed a Math Questionnaire in the New Student Checklist to determine whether they need to take Calculus and/or if they need to take the math placement test.
Students can be placed into Math 100 or Math 101 or Math 111 using SAT/ACT math sub-scores submitted to the University of Redlands (optional) OR by college transfer credit math courses OR by IB Math scores** OR by taking the Math placement test.
Students can be placed into Calculus courses by AP Calculus (AB or BC) scores* OR by AP Pre-Calculus scores* OR by college transfer credit for Calculus OR by IB Math scores (High Level)** OR by the Math placement test.
Students are automatically placed into Math 001L if no math placement is submitted or completed. Math 001L prepares students for Math 100/101/111, but NOT for Calculus courses.
*Students with AP Calculus or AP Pre-Calculus scores of 3 or lower need to contact the Math Department. Students need to make sure to have their AP Calculus or Pre-Calculus scores sent to the University of Redlands. They will be placed into calculus courses based on their score or they may need to take ALEKS PPL for best Calculus placement.
Please contact: calculus_placement@redlands.edu
**Students with IB Math scores need to contact the Math Placement Coordinator to discuss math placement. This is dependent on Standard Level or High Level scores.
Please contact: math_placement@redlands.edu
All new and transfer students that are enrolled in Calculus and/or Chemistry 131 will need to complete a final math placement test with the Math Department before classes begin to make sure algebra skills have been adequately reviewed over the summer.
For additional information or questions, please contact Math Placement: math_placement@redlands.edu
A physics bachelor's degree can lead to a wide variety of career paths. The problem-solving skills it hones are valued inside and outside of the sciences.
What can you do with a bachelor's degree in physics?
Approximately half of graduates go on to graduate school in fields like physics, astronomy, engineering, and medicine, while the other half get jobs in fields like software, engineering, education, or management. Students going straight into the job market are typically offered higher starting salaries than students with degrees in many other fields.
Where can I find information about graduate programs in physics and astronomy?
The American Institute of Physics has an online Grad School Shopper which allows you to search for programs based on a variety of criteria (specialty, degree, GRE requirements, location, etc.).
Who hires people with physics bachelor's degrees?
The American Institute of Physics' "Who's Hiring Physics Bachelors?" lists employers that have recently hired physics bachelors by state. You can read about some of the surprising careers of physics majors in Sigma Pi Sigma's "Spotlight on Hidden Physicists" (note that Joel Peavy is a Redlands alumni).
Where are Redlands graduates employed?
Many have gone on in physics and engineering, but a physics degree is far more versatile than that. Our graduates have gone on to places like Lawrence Livermore National Labs, Cisco, US Bank, Duke University, Northrop Grumman, the U.S. Navy, So. Cal. Edison, Charles Schwab, and Goldman Sachs, where they've had titles like research scientist, nuclear engineer, president, technical writer, financial analyst, teacher, chief medical physicist, and professor.
Where can I find more information about careers in physics?
The following sites have lots of useful information:
- Society of Physics Students (SPS) - Careers Resources
- American Physical Society (APS) - Careers in Physics
Resources
