Student Opportunities

Hands-on learning is at the core of all our majors.

In any major or minor in the physics and engineering department, you’ll have numerous opportunities to apply what you’re learning and gain experience through research, lab work, internships, and more. It’s all part of how we equip you with skills that transfer to any career.

And you’ll be able to get involved right away. Bethel’s size and vibrant community present opportunities for you to get involved from your first day on campus. 

Study abroad

Immerse yourself in global cultures and experience learning abroad. Some students spend their summers at the prestigious CERN in Switzerland, others embark on semester-long academic adventures at renowned institutions like Oxford. Whether you're exploring cobblestone streets in Europe or conducting research in cutting-edge laboratories, our study abroad program offers a myriad of opportunities for intellectual growth and cultural enrichment. You’ll have opportunities to go on trips spanning full semesters, January sessions, spring breaks, and summers.

Research opportunities

Here, you'll have the opportunity to engage in a variety of reserach opportunities. You'll also collaborate closely with esteemed faculty members on groundbreaking projects, playing a pivotal role in publishable physics and engineering research. With no graduate students, undergraduates take center stage, empowered to make meaningful contributions to their fields. Since 2015, our department has proudly published or presented over 184 papers, with more than 116 student co-authors, showcasing the remarkable achievements of our research-focused community.  

Complete strong internships

Intern at a wide range of companies, government agencies, and universities–including prestigious organizations such as CERN (Switzerland), MIT, Medtronic, and more.

Research facilities

You’ll experience hands-on learning in our state-of-the-art research facilities in our department. Our Experimental Fluid Dynamics Lab stands at the forefront of fluid mechanics research, boasting cutting-edge wind, water, and supersonic shock tunnels designed to support both academic coursework and undergraduate research endeavors. Meanwhile, our Advanced Optics Lab is equipped with custom-built lasers and a Magneto-Optical Trap, providing an immersive environment to delve into atomic and molecular optics. You’ll also have access to the Nanotechnology and Biosensing Lab, offering advanced capabilities for research in nanotechnology, optics, and materials science.

Post-grad success and graduate school

You’ll be surrounded by a community committed to empowering students to achieve their highest aspirations, whether pursuing advanced degrees or entering the workforce. Our graduates have been accepted into some of the finest graduate programs in the country, spanning a wide array of fields, from physics to engineering. With 86 alumni entering graduate or medical school in the last decade alone, our track record speaks volumes about the caliber of education and mentorship provided at Bethel. Furthermore, our alumni have received prestigious fellowships and awards, underscoring their exceptional achievements and the value of a Bethel education.

Awards and recognition

From major grants to student accolades, the Bethel physics department is renowned for its excellence and innovation. Faculty members have secured significant research grants from organizations such as NASA, the National Science Foundation, and the United States Air Force, enabling groundbreaking discoveries and advancements in the field of physics. Additionally, our students have been recognized for their outstanding achievements, receiving awards from esteemed organizations such as the American Physical Society and the Council of Independent Colleges. With a long-standing reputation for excellence, Bethel's Physics Department continues to be recognized as a leader in undergraduate physics education and research.

Graduate engineering program 

A popular option with our students is to major in physics or applied physics and then earn a graduate degree in fields such as biomedical, civil, electrical, mechanical, industrial, or aerospace engineering. Normally, this means four years at Bethel followed by two years in graduate school, resulting in the nickname “4-2.” At the end of 6 years, you’ll have both a B.S. from Bethel and an M.S. from the graduate school of your choice.

This approach is particularly appealing if you’re interested in a career that’s more involved with engineering research. Typically, our students get full financial support during their graduate work through research or teaching assistantships, tuition waivers, or even fellowships. A few have finished their master’s degree in considerably less than 2 years, and several have continued on for doctoral degrees. Many of our students choose to do graduate work at the nearby University of Minnesota, one of the best engineering schools in the country. 

Join The Society of Physics Students and other student clubs

You can join over 30 student clubs across campus, including the High-Power Rocket Team and the Society of Physics Students (SPS). It hosts a variety of physics-related events for physics majors and students interested in physics. Bethel’s chapter of SPS, which dates to 1994, provides numerous opportunities for students to learn more physics, build community, and have fun.

Why join SPS?

• Eat free pizza while learning about current physics research
• Volunteer to help feed starving children around the world
• Sing physics Christmas carols at the SPS Christmas party
• The annual end-of-the-year departmental picnic—a chance to see Dr. Greenlee in an apron
• Carve physics equations and portraits of physics professors into pumpkins
• Enjoy the annual SPS awards banquet with a prestigious guest speaker

Work on campus

After your first year, you have the opportunity to work as a teaching assistant (TA). You’ll find other on-campus work opportunities, tutoring roles and paid research opportunities. No matter your role, you'll gain valuable skills and mentorship that will help equip you for your future.