B.S. in Physics

Siena's physics degree focuses on active student participation in cutting-edge research. This hands-on experience, in addition to a demanding curriculum, teaches you how to think critically and prepares you for exciting careers in a broad range of fields.

Program Highlights

• Undergraduate research
• Small class sizes
• Dynamic, growing department
• Commitment to exploring new and effective pedagogical techniques
• Accessible faculty
• Student travel (Puerto Rico, China, Greenland and more)
• Access to computational cluster
• Interdisciplinary work in biophysics, electrical engineering, and astrochemistry

Requirements for the Major

• PHYS130 - General Physics I 4 credits
• PHYS140 - General Physics II 4 credits
• PHYS220 - Modern Physics 4 credits
• PHYS250 - Intro to Computational Physics 3 credits
• PHYS260 - Thermal Physics 3 credits
• PHYS470 - Advanced Laboratory I 1 TO 3 credits
• PHYS472 - Advanced Laboratory II 1 TO 2 credits

AND

• PHYS370 - Experimental Techniques 2 credits

OR

• PHYS380 - Observational Astronomy 3 credits

AND

And students must complete 4 additional advanced courses (numbered 300 and above). Courses must total at least 13 credits. At least two of the courses must come from the following:

• PHYS310 - Mechanics I 4 credits
• PHYS410 - Electromagnetic Theory I 4 credits
• PHYS440 - Quantum Physics 3 credits

Auxiliary courses (32 credits)

• CHEM110 - General Chemistry 1 4 credits
• MATH110 - Calculus I 4 credits
• MATH120 - Calculus II 4 credits
• MATH210 - Calculus III 4 credits
• MATH325 - Differential Equations 3 credits
• MATH330 - Intro to Applied Mathematics I 3 credits
• SCDV230 - Electronic Instrumentation 4 credits

AND

• MATH230 - Linear Algebra 3 credits

OR

• MATH430 - Intro to Applied Math II 3 credits

AND

One Computer Science Course, CSIS 110 or higher (3 credits)

Transfer students from two-year colleges may receive credit for General Physics I, II, Modern Physics, Thermal Physics, Calculus I, II, III, Differential Equations, General Chemistry I and General Chemistry II.

Pre-engineering students are advised to take General Physics I and II in the freshman year.

Success Stats

• 100% of recent graduates are employed or in graduate school
• 100% of students participate in an independent study or research project and 80% of students have received paid summer research internships
• $4 million in active research grants was secured by the National Science Foundation, NASA, the Department of Defense and Department of Energy
• The freshman retention rate is 94%

Skills Developed

• Understanding of the fundamental concepts and theories of physics.
• Strong analytical skills and facility with mathematical modeling.
• Demonstrated ability with laboratory equipment and techniques including computers as analytical and experimental tools.
• Ability to analyze and interpret experimental data, and assess the statistical significance of results.
• Aptitude for researching and clearly expressing scientific ideas using oral, visual and written communication.
• Ability to evaluate the quality of scientific information.
• Competence in designing, planning and conducting an independent research project.
• Familiarity with the historical development of physics.

Recent Employers of our Graduates

• General Dynamics
• GE
• GlobalFoundries
• IBM
• Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory
• NASA
• Plug Power
• Sematech
• Southwest Research Institute
• SuperPower Inc.
• Unique Technical Services
• U.S. Air Force
• U.S. Army
• X-Ray Optical Systems
• Zoetis Pharmaceutical

Internships Sites

• Jet Propulsion Laboratory
• American Museum of Natural History
• University of Vermont
• University of Colorado, Boulder
• Northern Arizona University
• Sematech
• X-Ray Optical Systems

Where our Alumni Go to Graduate School

• Boston University
• Dartmouth College
• Duke University
• East Caroline University
• Hofstra University
• Massachusetts Institute of Technology
• Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
• San Francisco State University
• Stanford University
• SUNY Polytechnic Institute Colleges of Nanoscale Science and Engineering
• Temple University
• University of Connecticut
• University of Maryland
• University of Pennsylvania
• University of Washington

Job Titles of Recent Graduates

• Chief Executive Officer
• Chief Financial Officer
• Engineer
• Medical Physicist
• Physician (MD)
• Physics Teacher
• Project Manager
• Quality Control Technician
• Research Assistant
• Science Writer

A Siena education is an education with soul. Located in Loudonville, New York—just 10 minutes from the state capital of Albany—the Siena experience is built for a new generation of leaders eager to create a more just, peaceful, and humane world. It empowers them through a transformative journey of intellectual, spiritual, and personal discovery.

At Siena education isn’t something you get, it’s something you get to do. With 40 majors, 80-plus minors and certificates, and prestigious joint-degree programs in liberal arts, science, and business, Saints have over 1,200 unique ways to reach their personal and professional goals. But that’s just the beginning. Our 3,000 Saints engage personally with top scholars in a dynamic, customized learning environment. From internships to research to service, they get real-world experience now, not later. The result: sought-after graduates prepared to succeed in an ever-changing global society.