About the Program
Purdue physics is an internationally recognized department for excellence in forefront research and undergraduate and graduate education. Our undergraduate classes for physics majors average 30 or fewer students and are taught by professors actively engaged in forefront research. Undergraduate research is strongly encouraged and opportunities exist as early as the second semester to work in a research group. These groups include experimental and theoretical condensed matter physics, high energy physics, nano-physics, nuclear physics, astrophysics, biological physics, geophysics, relativity, and interdisciplinary areas of material science, engineering, or computational science.
The department also helps undergraduates with external internships, particularly for the summers. Upon graduation our students are accepted for graduate programs at many of the top universities and are also sought after for positions in industry, particularly high-tech positions. Our graduates have an exceptional record of career accomplishment in a wide variety of settings, including academia and major industrial and government labs.
The specialties under the applied physics curriculum can range from different areas. Individually tailored specialties may be chosen by the student in consultation with an advisor. Currently available specialties include:
- Geophysics and Atmospheric Sciences
- Astrophysics
- Computational Physics
- Nuclear Physics
- Material Science & Engineering
- Chemical Engineering
- Aeronautical & Astronautical Engineering
- Industrial Engineering
- Electrical and Computer Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Medical Physics
In addition, many physics majors manage to complete dual or multiple major programs within the College of Science. This is possible because of a considerable overlap of the College of Science requirements. Popular dual majors with physics are: mathematics, computer science and chemistry.
The following stipulations need to be met in order to be in, stay in and graduate in the Honors or Applied Honors Program:
- No D+ or worse grade is allowed in any course for a student to stay in the Honors Programs.
- No more than one C range grade is allowed in all physics courses taken for a student to graduate with Honor. Note that a course can be re-taken for the purpose of satisfying this guideline.
- Both the physics AND overall GPAs of 3.0 or better are required for a student to graduate with Honor.
- All the core courses (PHYS 17200, 27200, 30600, 30700, 34400, 34000, and 42200) be complete with a B or better.
- Students need to petition to Undergraduate Committee for exceptions or requests.
Physics Website
Degree Requirements and Supplemental Information
The full Program Requirements for 2016-17 Applied Physics Honors include all Supplemental Information and selective lists of those categories which a student must fulfill in order to earn their degree. These are intended to be printer-friendly, but include less descriptive course detail.
Please see below for program requirements and the necessary degree fulfillments.
Physics - BS
APHO
≥120 Credits for graduation Credits
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