Physics at Virginia
There is no better way to understand the natural world than to study physics. Physicists research the basic principles underlying all scientific phenomena and use those principles to develop applications that advance human civilization. They examine the nature of space, time, matter and energy by studying the smallest particles and the largest cosmological structures. Their discoveries are used in areas ranging from electronics to molecular biology, and from power generation to climate science. UVA physics majors learn the fundamental theories supporting modern physics, develop advanced problem-solving skills, and assist our faculty’s innovative research.
Physics majors at UVa are an outstanding, enthusiastic and diverse group. Typically, about fifty students graduate each year with bachelor’s degrees in Physics. These students have a wide range of interests, and many have double majors. Recent second majors include anthropology, biology, chemistry, economics, English, environmental science, French, German, government, history, mathematics, music, philosophy, psychology, religious studies, Slavic, and studio art, along with all fields of engineering.
Approximately half of our BS Physics and BS Astronomy/Physics majors enter the work force after graduation, where their employment opportunities are excellent. Large companies where our graduates have recently started include KPMG, Epic, NOVA, Exxon Mobile, General Dynamics, GE Lighting, Rolls Royce, McKinsey, and Booz Allen Hamilton. Entry-level salaries for physics majors are similar to those in other technical fields, as illustrated in the graph below. Copious information about careers in physics is available from the American Physical Society, the American Institute for Physics, and the national Society for Physics Students.
The other half of our majors go on to graduate or professional schools, many at top-ranked universities where they are very successful. Recent graduates have attended UC Berkeley, UC Santa Barbara, Cal Tech, Chicago, Cornell, Princeton, Duke, Georgia Tech, Harvard, Toronto, Johns Hopkins, Michigan, MIT, Stanford, and Yale. While the majority of these students continue their physics studies, others go on to professional schools in medicine, education, business and law.
All together, physics offers an unparalleled combination of intellectual satisfaction and career prospects. If this sounds appealing, get in contact with a physics advisor and let us tell you more about it!
