In a campus laboratory, a Physics student at Drake tests a circuit for a robot

Physics Major

Open the door to a career in research, teaching, applied science, or medicine with a Physics degree from Drake.

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What You'll Learn

Physics drives phenomena both too small to see and as large as the universe itself. You’ll study both at Drake. As a Physics major, you can prepare for advanced study and careers in science or build the analytical and problem-solving skills needed to enter dozens of other professions.

Not only experts in their fields, our faculty are also dedicated mentors and teachers. Each of the physicists in our department conducts their own research—and you’ll work by their side, investigating topics like atomic and nuclear physics, quantum mechanics, and biophysics. In addition, you can join our unique cross-disciplinary program devoted to the physics, engineering, and biology of interplanetary space travel.

Please note: An incoming student interested in our Physics program should have completed four years of math through pre-calculus in high school. A physics course in high school is helpful but not required.

About the Physics Major

4:1 student-to-faculty ratio.
Summer research experiences at national labs and other universities provide valuable experience.
Work in state-of-the-art collaborative undergraduate laboratories and a biophysics research laboratory with access to powerful computers.
Graduates routinely gain acceptance to top Ph.D. programs.
Student research is encouraged—join faculty projects or develop your own.
Earn a master’s in engineering from Washington University in St. Louis through our dual degree program.

Program Facts

On campus
3–4 years to completion; part-time study available
120 total credits; 55-57 credits for the major

B.A. in Physics

An intense exploration of physics, astronomy, and mathematics points you in multiple directions: begin a career or graduate studies in engineering, actuarial science, medicine, law, computer programming, or finance.

Concentration in Biophysics

Physics plays a critical role in the processes that create and sustain life. This concentration offers a comprehensive overview of physics, biology, and chemistry, preparing you for graduate study or careers in biophysics, biomechanics, or biomedicine.

Dual Degree Program in Engineering

Complete two bachelor’s degrees in five years in our dual degree program with Washington University in St. Louis.

Pre-Professional

The Physics major offers the scientific background you need to begin professional training in dentistry, medicine, veterinary medicine, or another healthcare occupation. Consult these pre-professional guides to make sure you fulfill key application prerequisites.

Iowa Secondary Education

Teach junior or senior high school physics through our cooperative program with the School of Education. You’ll complete physics and education courses while spending time in the classroom.

Individualized Major

If you have interests that span disciplines, you can work with an advisor to create a custom major. Some possibilities include computational physics, geophysics, environmental physics, biophysics, chemical physics, or astrophysics.

Double Major

Physics complements several other disciplines. Based on where you see yourself harnessing your knowledge, math, Computer Science, Chemistry, Philosophy, Biology, and English are common pairings for a second or third major.

Physics Minor

Enrich any science, liberal arts, or professional degree with a minor in Physics. You’ll gain a background in basic physics and analytical skills and complete extensive work in calculus.

Dr. Matthew Zwier

Associate Professor, Chemistry; Department Chair, Physics

Athanasios Petridis

Professor, Physics and Astronomy

A faculty member at Drake explains a problem written on a white board to a Physics student

Faculty-Led Research

The faculty in Drake’s Physics Program are each active researchers. Students can assist with projects that add new knowledge to atomic physics, nuclear and particle physics, quantum theory, and space travel.

A group of Drake Physics students tackle an equation written on a white board

Undergraduate Research

Almost every Physics major participates in regional, national, and international conferences. You’ll begin conducting research in your second year and have the opportunity to share your work through the Drake Undergraduate Science Collaborative Institute (DUSCI).

Physics Prize

The high school senior with the top score in the annual Drake Physics Prize Examination earns a four-year, full-tuition scholarship to Drake. Other participants may be eligible for partial scholarships.

Three Drake Physics students discuss a problem integral to a research project, standing in front of a white board in a classroom

REU

Most juniors and seniors participate in the Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program. This National Science Foundation-funded program provides research opportunities at laboratories and universities across the U.S.

At STEM Day, a Drake Physics discusses the properties of a metal device to a group of elementary-age students

Student Organizations

Submit student research grant proposals and participate in outreach programs and social activities as part of the Society of Physics Students, or join the campus chapter of the Sigma Phi Sigma physics honor society.

Drake Municipal Observatory

You’ll have the chance to study the skies and participate in public educational programs at the municipal observatory, which Drake operates with the City of Des Moines. Its events attract thousands of visitors each year.

Careers & Skills

Individuals with advanced degrees in physics are in high demand—and as many as 95% of our graduates go on to master’s or Ph.D. programs in fields such as physics, astronomy, and mathematics or embark on private industry careers. Our students study at some of the nation’s top institutions, including MIT, Caltech, the University of Chicago, and UCLA; several also win Goldwater Scholarships or NSF Fellowships.

Opportunities

Industry
Government
Secondary school teaching
College-level teaching
Medicine
Law
Graduate school

Skills

Gain a rigorous background in physics and mathematics
Work in teams and develop collaborative skills
Learn research skills working with faculty and on your own projects
Develop an expansive intellectual foundation through liberal arts classes and the Drake Curriculum

A Drake Physics students in glasses poses with a backpack in front of a blue wall

Salary & Growth Outlook

Median annual wage for physicists and astronomers in 2024. (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)

“The physics program at Drake is very small, but small is by no means bad. The professors here are some of the smartest people I’ve ever met. In this discipline, there are a lot of questions, but I’ve found that the personalized experience and resources I have at Drake can answer even the hardest questions. The atmosphere here is constantly challenging me, and that’s the best way to learn.”

Austin Howes, AS’14
NG Space Systems

Take the Next Step

Launch a career rooted in transformative discoveries with a Physics degree from Drake. Learn more today.

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A Drake Physics student explains their research during a campus presentation