BS in Physics

The Bachelor of Science in Physics prepares students for careers as practicing physicists or for graduate-level education. The program also equips students for professional environments that require scientific thinking, critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

The BS is a 66-credit program, with a stronger focus on computer science and math, as well as more physics courses than the BA in Physics. In both the BS and BA curricula, students take a capstone course. In the BS, students also complete a required three-credit undergraduate research course in biophysics, nuclear physics or astrophysics.

Declare a Major

Are you interested in this major or another program in the Physics Department? Reach out to the Physics Department advisors ([email protected]) as soon as possible, so they can discuss the program and course of studies with you. It is crucial to do this early, because this major has built- in prerequisites and many of the upper-level courses are offered once a year or once every two years.

Declaration of Major Form

Capstone Experience

All BS in Physics students perform at least one large research project, in which they are supervised by a faculty member. In addition to the large research project, which should start in the third year and be finalized in the fourth year, students are encouraged to do other research projects within the department. Students are also encouraged and supported to apply for research experiences and internships outside the department during the summer months. 

To support them through their research experiences, every BS in Physics student takes the Physics Capstone (PHYS 4195W) and Physics Symposium (PHYS 4200) courses. 

PHYS 4195W (Physics Capstone)

PHYS 4195W fulfills Oral Communications and Writing in the Disciplines (WID) requirements. After taking the capstone, students will be able to:

• explain the issues and standards for ethical conduct of research,
• explain issues related to building a physics community,
• describe career paths in physics,
• create applications for employment and graduate studies including resumes and cover letters, and
• improve their scientific written and oral communication, including learning how to develop proposals for research funding.

Students will have opportunities to improve their writing and presentations based on instructor and peer feedback in class, and they will interact with the GW Career Services office. The overarching goal of the capstone is to help students think about, and develop, practical skills related to physics research, and prepare for their careers after graduation. This course also prepares students for a research project in their junior and senior year, and for presenting this research at various venues. 

PHYS 4200 (Physics Symposium)

After taking PHYS 4200, students will be able to communicate physics research in a disciplinarily and audience appropriate manner. During the course of the curriculum, students:

• write a final report on their research in subject-appropriate format and style
• present a poster on their research at the CCAS Research Showcase, and
• give an oral presentation on their research at the Physics Undergraduate Symposium Day.

All written and oral presentations will be guided by readings and examples, and feedback is provided by both the instructor and the students’ peers.

Course Requirements