Physics
Bachelor of Science
Excellent preparation for specialized graduate studies
Overview
In the field of physics, you’ll experience an exciting perspective of God’s creativity and wisdom by studying the inner workings of the natural world. Explore what matter and energy are and how they act and react under various conditions.
At BJU, you’ll learn how to solve problems, explore answers using the scientific method and clearly present your findings. You’ll even conduct research projects that will prepare you for grad school or the private sector. Most importantly, as you delve into the universe’s mysterious connections, you’ll gain a deeper appreciation for the Creator and Sustainer of all things.
Program
By considering the fundamental level of the universe, you’ll develop strong analytical skills for careers in physics, including research science, astrophysics, meteorology, science journalism and quantitative analysis. In BJU’s physics program, you’ll become an expert in working with and discussing technical details to elevate your grad studies or future career.
You’ll study the laws of motion, star formation, relativity, nuclear and particle physics, and quantum computing. Through our emphasis on hands-on learning in weekly lab classes, you’ll conduct experiments, formulate your own hypotheses and test them using the scientific method.
During your capstone project, you’ll perform original research, write a scientific journal article and give a technical presentation. Students regularly present their work at American Physical Society conferences and contribute to articles published in peer-reviewed scientific journals.
BJU Core
Through courses in English, speech and fine arts, you’ll improve your communication, open-ended problem solving and critical thinking skills for your career and personal life. You’ll apply these highly desired speaking and writing abilities to effectively present your ideas and research to the physics community and employers.
Bible courses will help you connect God’s truth to life, equipping you to present biblical truths simply to people from different backgrounds. You’ll also assess issues in the physics world through Scripture and learn how your work ethic reflects God and His glory.
Electives
By focusing your elective courses on specific areas of the physics field such as computer science, astronomy or communication, you can tailor your program to a specific career path.
Your Future
Jobs
The physics program at BJU unlocks many career possibilities.
- Research Physicist
- Astronomer
- Computer Programmer
- Engineer
- Meteorologist
- Analyst
- Patent Agent
- Science Journalist
Graduate Schools
Our physics grads have been admitted into notable grad schools.
- Auburn University
- Clemson University
- Duke University
- Indiana University
- McMaster University
- Oklahoma State University
- University of Alabama
- University of South Florida
Graduate Experience
Our grads have entered many careers and secured excellent jobs.
- Experimental Physicist, UCLA
- National Weather Service
- Nuclear Regulatory Commission
- Research Scientist, Air Force Research Laboratory
- Intelligence Analyst, Department of Defense
- Associate Professor of Physics, University of Connecticut
- Engineering Designer
- Software Engineer
Career Support
BJU offers students several ways to network with employers and organizations. Many jobs are posted each year on Career Central, our online job board. Over 60 businesses and 150 Christian schools/organizations/mission boards recruit students through on-campus interviews and job/ministry fairs. You’ll also have opportunities to meet grad school representatives and employers at APS conferences.
Additionally, our Center for Career & Calling holds seminars on resume prep and interview techniques, preparing you to succeed in your job search.
Learning Experience
Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU)
Our students have been admitted into the National Science Foundation’s (NSF) Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program. Through summer internships with research universities and government labs across the country, you’ll gain excellent research experience and preparation for grad school.
Research Immersion for Undergraduates (RIU)
BJU’s RIU program provides opportunities for you to work closely with physics faculty to complete your capstone research objectives. Our students have identified new defects in diamond for quantum sensors with our GPU-accelerated computational server and characterized the effects of electric and magnetic fields on materials for thermoelectrics and solid-state batteries. You’ll also use nearby electron microscopy facilities in your materials research to characterize samples.
Professional Organizations
Through groups outside BJU, you can connect with experienced physicists and fellow students across the world while further learning about your field.
- Creation Research Society
- American Physical Society
- American Astronomical Society
- Society of Physics Students
Facilities
You’ll be prepared to excel in your fields of interest through hands-on experimental, computational and theoretical opportunities in our physics facilities.
- Computational Servers
In your upper-level courses and physics research, you’ll use our CPU or GPU-enabled computational servers. These servers allow remote log-in and multi-core calculations of the fundamental properties of materials using quantum mechanics modeling software, as well as numerical modeling of chaotic systems and modeling of astronomical systems. - Field-Separated Microwave Resonant Cavity (MRC)
You’ll explore the response of materials to pure electric or pure magnetic fields in our MRC that’s on loan from the Air Force Research Laboratory. - Microwave Plasma Chemical Vapor Deposition (MPCVD)
You’ll grow nanoparticles and thin film samples in the MPCVD system that’s on loan from the Air Force Research Laboratory. With 6 kW of available power, this system ignites plasma in a gas column to promote materials growth.
Faculty
Department of Chemistry and Physics
BJU’s physics faculty are experts in their field, regularly publish papers and present their work at conferences such as the Materials Research Society and American Physical Society.
They’ve also served as president of the Creation Research Society, summer fellow at the Air Force Research Laboratory and reviewers for scientific journals. As members of the American Association of Physics Teachers, American Physical Society and Materials Research Society, they’ll help you succeed by connecting you with professional organizations.
Courses & Objectives
Sample Course Outline
1st Year
2nd Year
3rd Year
- Experimental Physics
- Mechanics I
- Thermodynamics & Statistical Mechanics
- Bible Doctrines
- English or Writing Elective
(3 credits) - Electives
(1 credits)
4th Year
- Program
- BJU Core
- Elective
Program Objectives
Each student will:
- Apply core physics principles to problem solving.
- Conduct experiments and analyze and interpret results with respect to physical principles.
- Apply mathematical knowledge to solutions of problems.
- Compose reports that communicate results drawn from data analysis.
- Conduct an oral presentation on a scientific topic.
- Analyze scientific results in terms of a biblical worldview.