Engage with God’s creation at a whole new level. Physics

Physics involves the study of energy and matter, and dives deep into the natural world like no other academic discipline. With a brilliant mix of theory and hands-on learning, you’ll develop highly transferable technical, problem-solving, analytical, and critical thinking skills.

Credential Type

  • B.A., B.S.

Major Credits Required

  • 124

Offered As

  • Major, Minor

Major Options

  • Physics, Applied Physics, Secondary Education

98.9% employed or in graduate school

Within six months of graduation, nearly 99% of Wheaton’s Class of 2021 found work in their field or continued their education.

Multiple Scholarship Opportunities

The deadlines are soon! You can apply for merit-based, research, and other scholarships. Scholarship listing

4 major tracks

...including some that offer the possibility to cross disciplinary boundaries and specialize in another field beyond physics.

Connect with Admissions

You can reach us anytime via admissions@wheaton.edu.

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Wheaton College Physics Lab Assistant

Why Wheaton for Physics?

Physics Program Distinctives

  • A dynamic freshman sequence that includes a broad survey of core physics concepts and hands-on training in the practice of science.
  • A dedicated Physics for the Future seminar with discussions of career options, the interactions between physics and Christian faith, and current frontier research in physics.
  • A rigorous and diverse combination of theoretical, computational, and experimental courses in the second year and beyond.
  • Four different major tracks serving students going on to graduate work, going into secondary education, or going into a wide variety of other career pursuits.
  • Activities and clubs like Thursday morning Tea & Cookie time and The Society of Physics Students, which offer opportunities to hang out with other physics students
  • A wide variety of research opportunities including opportunities to engage in research with Wheaton faculty.
  • An Honors Thesis option that will challenge the highest-performing students to grow as they do research with a faculty mentor.

To maximize student convenience and flexibility, the curriculum for all of our physics programs shares much in common for the first two years. This helps students who may be unsure of their desired major to more easily switch during the first few semesters. See more curriculum distinctives >

Four Physics Major Tracks

The Department of Engineering and Physics offers four ways to major in physics at Wheaton, giving you the flexibility to choose a path that fits your career goals:

  • Bachelor of Science in Physics

    Ideal for students who also wish to pursue physics in graduate school. Learn more >
  • Bachelor of Arts in Physics

    Ideal for students who want to double major, study abroad, go right into industry, or go to professional school (such as law or medicine). Learn more >
  • Bachelor of Science in Applied Physics

    Includes upper-level engineering courses and is ideal for students looking to pursue engineering-related careers. Learn more >
  • Bachelor of Science with Secondary Education

    Ideal for those wishing to teach high school physics/science. Learn more >

Faces and Spaces Where You’ll Learn, Who You’ll Meet

Our Faculty

As part of the larger Department of Physics and Engineering, you’ll learn from faculty and laboratory staff members with a range of experience and expertise, including in plasma physics, astronomy, computer modeling, water infrastructure, comets, nanomaterials, medical physics, and physics and free will.

Our Courses

To maximize student convenience and flexibility, the curriculum for all of our physics programs shares much in common for the first two years. This helps students who may be unsure of their desired major to more easily switch during the first few semesters.

Genevieve Grinding

Our Experiences

Physics majors put theory into action and gain practical experience in many ways from solving a real-world problem through research or a project-based class to building and experimenting through extracurricular activities like the Society of Physics Students.

Wheaton College IL Science Station Black Hills South Dakota
Program Highlight: Wheaton in the Black Hills

Study in the Great Outdoors

The Wheaton College Field Station in the Black Hills of South Dakota provides hands-on field learning experiences and includes trips to explore the ecosystems of Wyoming’s Bighorn Mountains and National Parks like Yellowstone and Grand Tetons. Students live and learn in community while seeing their classroom learning come alive in the field.

Learn About Wheaton in the Black Hills

WITH Wheaton Opportunities Across Campus & Beyond

Interdisciplinary learning is a way of life at Wheaton. Aside from your work within your chosen major, you can enrich your educational experience and connect with peers and professors across campus (and beyond) in many ways.


Real-World Learning at Wheaton & Beyond


Related Centers, Organizations & Co-Curriculars


Additional Academic Opportunities: Common Minors, Certificates & Second Majors


 

Hands building circuits
PHYSICS for Christ & His Kingdom

Faith and Learning at Wheaton

A Wheaton education is built on the foundation of our unique Christ at the Core general education curriculum. As a physics major, you’ll connect faith and science, opening your imagination to life’s biggest questions, and seeking a deeper understanding of the structures and principles that God has put in place to govern our world.

More About Christ at the Core

Success After Wheaton What Do You Do With a Physics Degree?

With a practical, academically rigorous physics degree from Wheaton, you’ll be prepared for a wide range of in-demand careers or ready to pursue graduate, professional, or medical school.

The positions our graduates have landed exemplify the range of jobs you can get with a physics degree:

  • Algorithm engineer
  • Proton therapy services engineer
  • Research environmental engineer
  • Software engineer
  • Structural engineer
  • Test engineer

And they’re accepted into graduate programs like:

  • Duke University (Ph.D., Health/Medical Physics)
  • University of Chicago (M.S., Computer Science)
  • University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (M.S., Structural Engineering)
  • University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (Ph.D., Environmental Engineering)
  • University of Notre Dame (M.Arch., Classical Architecture & Urban Planning)
768x512 Joseph Milligran headshot Wheaton College
Physics Students in Action

Fulfilling a Purpose

"[During college visits] nobody showed that they wanted me or cared about me in the same way Wheaton’s people did. Every interaction I had during my visit reinforced that there is a good community here. I could find my place and be loved, both of which have been true ever since.

– Joseph Milligan ’23

As a double major in physics and secondary education, Joseph Milligan ‘23 has taken on one of the highest credit loads possible in Wheaton’s curriculum. Yet the jam-packed schedule, including long hours in the lab or student teaching in front of a classroom, seems to fade in light of the contagious joy he brings to his studies.

RESOURCES & LINKS Going Deeper

If you’re a current student or want to dig deeper in this area of study, here are some additional resources for you to explore.

Department Website

The physics program is housed in the Department of Physics and Engineering. Visit our department website.

Course Requirements

Visit the Wheaton College catalog for specific degree requirements and course descriptions.

Next Steps

Interested in studying Physics at Wheaton? Request more information or start your application today.