Explore the underlying principles of physics

The bachelor’s degree in Physics program coursework focuses on scientific investigation, laboratory experience and research opportunities to give you hands-on experience in the field of physics. You’ll work with faculty members on research projects, which may result in your work being published in journals. Faculty members conduct research projects in a variety of areas, including complex fluids, materials science, ultra-fast physics, nuclear physics and observational astronomy.

The physics and astrophysics department offers a five-year joint program in engineering with the Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT). Upon completion of the bachelor’s degree in physics program, you will earn a Bachelor of Science in Physics with a concentration in Engineering Physics from DePaul and a Bachelor of Science in Aerospace, Computer, Electrical or Mechanical Engineering from IIT.

DePaul offers a variety of combined degree options, including a combined bachelor's degree in Physics/master's in Secondary Education Physics, which allows you to complete a bachelor's degree and a graduate degree in five years.

Classes

Coursework

• Biology
• Calculus
• Earth System Science
• Electricity and Magnetism
• Experimental Physics
• Mechanics
• Methods of Computational and Theoretical Physics
• Programming Languages
• Quantum Mechanics

Resources

• Major Requirements
• Schedule of Classes
• Department Website

Concentrations/Tracks

• Standard Physics
• Computational Physics
• Engineering Physics
• Interdisciplinary Physics

• Minor offered
• Combined bachelor's + master's degree offered

Career Options

Common Career Areas

• Computer science
• Electronics development
• Engineering
• Optics
• Photonics
• Post-graduate study
• Research
• Scientific computing

More career info

100%

of Physics graduates were employed, continuing their education or not seeking employment after graduation.

Major Requirements

Course Requirements

Common Core 

Physics

Course	Title	Quarter Hours
PHY 170	UNIVERSITY PHYSICS I	4
PHY 171	UNIVERSITY PHYSICS II	4
PHY 172	UNIVERSITY PHYSICS III	4
PHY 270	UNIVERSITY PHYSICS IV	4
PHY 300	METHODS OF COMPUTATIONAL AND THEORETICAL PHYSICS I	4
PHY 301	METHODS OF COMPUTATIONAL AND THEORETICAL PHYSICS II	4
PHY 330	SENIOR CAPSTONE PHYSICAL SCIENCE (Liberal Studies Program Capstone)	4

Mathematics

Course	Title	Quarter Hours
Select one of the following three-course Calculus sequences:		12-18
Sequence One
MAT 150	CALCULUS I
MAT 151	CALCULUS II
MAT 152	CALCULUS III
Sequence Two
MAT 147	CALCULUS WITH INTEGRATED PRECALCULUS I
MAT 148	CALCULUS WITH INTEGRATED PRECALCULUS II
MAT 149	CALCULUS WITH INTEGRATED PRECALCULUS III
Sequence Three
MAT 160	CALCULUS FOR MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE MAJORS I
MAT 161	CALCULUS FOR MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE MAJORS II
MAT 162	CALCULUS FOR MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE MAJORS III
Sequence Four
MAT 155	SUMMER CALCULUS I
MAT 156	SUMMER CALCULUS II
MAT 260	MULTIVARIABLE CALCULUS I	4

Sequencing of Coursework

Students interested in majoring in physics, applied computational physics, or pre-engineering should enroll in PHY 170 and ?MAT 160 in the autumn quarter of their first year, provided they are adequately prepared in mathematics.

The sequences of PHY 170, PHY 171, and PHY 172 and MAT 160, MAT 161, and MAT 162 are prerequisites to PHY 270, PHY 300 and PHY 301, and PHY 370, which should be taken in the sophomore year together with MAT 260 and MAT 261.

It is recommended that students interested in the standard concentration or pre-engineering also take the chemistry sequence (CHE 130, or CHE 120 and CHE 131 and CHE 132 or CHE 122 and CHE 133, CHE 134 and CHE 135) their first year. Because of the predominance of physics, mathematics, and chemistry sequences in the freshman and sophomore years, it is crucial that Physics and Pre-Engineering majors be advised by Physics faculty upon enrollment at DePaul. 

Concentration Requirements

Students must also complete the requirements from one of the following concentrations: Standard, Computational, Engineering, or Interdisciplinary Physics. Students are limited to declaring only one concentration.

Students are advised to talk with their advisor before double majoring, because some major combinations are prohibited.  No more than 50% of the credits that apply to one major may be drawn from another major. 

Content displayed from this DePaul University catalog page.