Question and Solve with Physics
“In science there is only physics; all the rest is stamp collecting.” This famous statement by Lord Kelvin, while controversial among scientists, points to something physicists have long believed: that physics is the most basic and fundamental of all the sciences. It encompasses the study of the universe, from the largest galaxies to the smallest subatomic particles. It can help us understand how the world around us works, give us tools to solve difficult problems, and lead to discoveries that can change our lives.
Sound interesting? Read on to learn if Buffalo State’s Physics program is right for you.
“What I like about studying physics at Buffalo State is that it’s a tightknit community,” said Steven Tarasek, '14, who was a recipient of the Robert A. and Dorothy Stender Sweet Physics Scholarship. “All the professors are approachable, and there are research opportunities within the department. I know most of the other students, so I’m taking classes with friends versus a bunch of strangers."
Students frequently come into physics through an interest in astronomy which is nurtured by science programs on TV, such as Nova, or through curiosity about “how things work.” Almost all incoming physics majors have had physics in high-school, which brings the range of phenomena dealt in physics technology as well as pure science to their attention.
Buffalo State’s physics program is designed to prepare students for strong careers after graduation and a lifetime of critical thought. There are two options:
Students on both undergraduate tracks graduate with laboratory and computer skills. Students learn how to use equipment to make scientific measurements in courses and, occasionally, research in experimental physics conducted in a faculty member’s lab. Their skills are further developed in upper division classes and projects with faculty. In addition, our students benefit from:
Government funding: In addition, the federal and state government funds many programs to educate the next generation of scientists and science teachers.
Buffalo State College is committed to providing hands-on experiences for students that extend beyond the classroom. Opportunities include:
Students are frequently involved in research projects with faculty within the department. Students have also been successful finding research opportunities at other institutions during summer months through the Research Experience for Undergraduates funded by the National Science Foundation.
Students graduating with a degree in physics have numerous career paths. In recent years students from the department have continued their education by entering a graduate school in physics. Other students have gone to master’s programs in a subfield of physics, such as medical physics or in a branch of engineering. Other students find employment directly in the industry, using the laboratory and/or the computer skills acquired in the physics degree program. Another popular career option is teaching high school physics.
Career opportunities for physics majors are almost limitless. The most notable options include:
Since 2000, at least 25 percent of physics students have found employment in the industry immediately following graduation; approximately 30 percent become high school teachers, and approximately 35 percent go onto graduate school, pursuing either a Ph.D. in physics or mathematics or a master’s degree in applied physics or engineering.
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