The Physics major at Radford University has been used by students to go to graduate school in physics and engineering, to go straight into industry (often in engineering-related fields), and to go into high school teaching positions. We offer three concentrations that allow students to tailor their physics major to their specific career goals. These concentrations are Physics, Earth and Space Science, and Physics Education.

For the traditional Physics major, students in the Physics Concentration take the full slate of physics courses that we offer. This also includes Independent Study courses in their junior and senior year to delve into areas beyond our usual course offerings. In recent years these Independent Study courses have considered various topics including Einstein's General Theory of Relativity (gravitational waves), introductory quantum field theory, processing of raw environmental satellite data and various studies in fluid dynamics. For physics majors who want to pursue careers in astronomy, elective courses would include our advanced astronomy courses (ASTR 310, 421, 422). Physics majors are encouraged to consider summer internships at locations such as Green Bank NRAO, NASA and other locations through the National Science Foundation's Summer REU Program.

The Earth and Space Science Concentration allows students to take a number of applied physics classes such as our Geophysics class, advanced Astronomy classes, and Engineering Geology (offered by the RU Geology Department). This concentration prepares students for a career immediately upon graduation in fields such as applied physics, civil engineering, and others. This also allows students in our 3:2 Engineering program with Virginia Tech to take upper level applied classes that will better prepare them for their chosen engineering concentration. This might also be the concentration of choice for those who would like a career in astronomy given the suite of upper level observational (ASTR 310) and theoretical (ASTR 421, 422) astronomy classes that we offer.

The Physics Education Concentration requires the traditional year of introductory physics, along with a core group of intermediate physics courses. This allows for flexibility for students who want to take their physics degree into a teaching career. Students who start this concentration their freshman year can complete the physics requirements as well as receive their teaching certification within their 4 years at Radford.

All students work closely with their individual academic advisor to plan the course of study that best suits their own career goals. Information about RU's Core Curriculum ("general education") may be found here.

RU Physics Major Course Checklists

Physics Major--Physics Concentration

Physics Major--Earth and Space Science Concentration

Physics Major--Physics Education Concentration

To graduate with a major in Physics, a student must attain an overall grade point average of 2.0 in the courses required for the major.