Physics (B.A.)
Bethel offers both B.A. and B.S. degrees in physics. The physics major is a good starting place for many different careers in industry, or it can be an excellent springboard for graduate work. The Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) requires fewer courses than the Bachelor of Science (B.S.) so that you can develop a more individualized approach to your education. This flexibility allows students to double major with electrical engineering, computer engineering, software engineering, mathematics, computer science, other engineering fields (via the dual-degree program), or the humanities (e.g., music or philosophy), or to earn a variety of minors.
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Why should I study physics?
Physics is the foundation for understanding the world around us and the laws that govern the universe. It’s the most fundamental science and the basis of many other fields. For this reason, physics leads to world-changing discoveries in technology, medicine, and energy, to name just a few applications.
Because physics is so fundamental to understanding science and the world, it provides many opportunities for careers, graduate study, and theoretical and applied work.
What can I do with this degree?
Some 4-year graduates have gone directly to work for companies such as:
- 3M
- Medtronic
- Accenture
- United Technologies Inc.
- Honeywell
- Logic Product Development
- Measurement Technology Lab
- Cray, Dynamark, and Aerospace Corp.
Many graduates go on to earn an advanced degree in engineering, but some decide to pursue graduate work in other fields such as medicine, chemistry, mathematics, computer science, and even forestry.
Some grads continue in physics, receiving Ph.D.s from universities such as Yale, Princeton, MIT, Illinois, and Minnesota. Many have later obtained notable post-doctoral positions with JILA (Joint Institute for Laboratory Astrophysics), NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology), Caltech, IBM, Wisconsin–Madison, Brookhaven National Lab, and an NSF International Research Fellowship.
Some of our alumni have also gone on to become physics professors at schools like the University of Toronto, the University of Michigan, and the University of Arizona.
What skills will I develop?
- Real-world research skills
- Quantitative and analytic skills to understand data and solve problems
- Mathematical and computational modeling
- Experiment design and interpretation
- Critical and creative thinking
You’ll also have the opportunity to participate in the R.E.A.L. Experience—a program specifically designed to help you gain the relevant, hands-on experience employers desire—so that when you graduate, you’ll be as impressive in practice as you are on paper.
What unique experiences or opportunities will I have?
As a physics major, you’ll have opportunities to collaborate with professors on real-world research projects in our state-of-the-art labs, publish papers in prestigious science journals, present your findings at local and national conferences, intern at a wide range of companies, government agencies, and universities, and work as a research assistant during the summer months.
$1.5M
in national research grants received since 2011
$84,983
average salary for physics alumni 10 years after graduation
- U.S. Census BureauRecent News
Travis Sinclair ’22 Looks to Break New Ground for Bethel in the NFL
April 11, 2023 | 10:30 a.m.
Upcoming Events
SEPT 26 2023
Physics & Engineering Department Seminar
3:30 p.m. Barnes Academic Center - Room 264
Come hear about what’s going on in the Bethel University Physics & Engineering department!
OCT 3 2023
Physics & Engineering Department Seminar
3:30 p.m. Barnes Academic Center - Room 264
Come hear about what’s going on in the Bethel University Physics & Engineering department!
OCT 10 2023
6 p.m. Boardroom
Come to learn about STEM job and internship opportunities!
OCT 14 2023
10:30 a.m.
Come join us to watch the partial solar eclipse on Saturday, October 14 – we’ll have telescopes with solar filters and eclipse glasses available for safe solar viewing.
Since 2007, I've had the privilege of advising six Bethel students in our Ph.D. program at the University of Minnesota. They are smart, hard-working, creative, and possess unusually broad and sophisticated skills in experimental physics and optics.
Sang-Hyun OhProfessor and Sanford P. Bordeau Chair, University of Minnesota
People get the idea that Christianity is anti-science, when that is not true at all. As a Christian physicist, my job is an opportunity to discover the amazing mind of God and how He so intricately orchestrated the universe to work-and also made it so that we could discover it for ourselves.
Laura King-Steen '08Icing Cloud Calibration Engineer, HX5 Sierra at NASA's Glenn Research Center
The beauty of physics-based education is that it forces the student to learn how to think, to understand, and to solve problems. I don't believe a career exists in which the ability to solve problems effectively is not one of the most valuable assets a person can have. If this is true, then studying physics is one of the best ways to prepare for ANY career, technical or not.
Aaron Montello '06Operations Manager, Prima Power Laserdyne
Bethel served as a launchpad for me to eventually discover my purpose in Jesus' kingdom, which includes my career as a budding entrepreneur founding Laminera, as well as how I've evolved in my faith and integrated the two.
Lauren Otto '12Founder and CEO of Laminera
The strong foundation I was given by Bethel's physics department provided me with all the tools I needed to succeed in my graduate school career in electrical and biomedical engineering.
Daniel Klemme '13University of Minnesota
Bethel’s Physics alumni now make up a strong core of our measurement and automation team. Beyond their obvious technical abilities, they demonstrate the character of Christ in their endeavors, which above all is valued. I wish to express my gratitude for your teaching and referrals of such excellent people.
David DikkenCurrent job: CEO, MTL Corporation
