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Physics | Major

About the program

A degree in physics opens the door to a host of job opportunities, including engineering, research, teaching, government, medicine and areas of law and finance. All of these options make Thiel College a great place to get your degree in physics. Our professors have decades of teaching experience and provide individual attention you’ll need and see that you fully develop your analytical skills.

You’ll also get the hands-on experience you need to secure a job or a place in graduate school. Our adherence to a liberal arts curriculum helps you to think more critically and creatively so that you can put your analytical skills to work in a host of careers.

Visit our Academic Catalog (2023-2024) for course listings.

Major Features

1. Understand the fundamental concepts of the physical world and their technical application.
2. Use advanced mathematical skills in solving applied physics problems.
3. Possess outstanding laboratory skills.
4. Learn in small classes that provide plenty of personal attention.
5. Create a portfolio and work to help you get placement in graduate school or your career.

Scholarship Opportunities

Thiel College offers scholarships to students for reasons such as academic success, community service or involvement, exemplary leadership and more! The scholarships available to physics majors are:

• Marion G. Resch Science Scholarship at Thiel College
• Dr. Florence West Tribute to Dr. Bly
• The Dr. Judith A Crissman '64 Endowed Scholarship Fund
• The William B. Frank Minority Scholarship in the Physical Sciences
• The Maenpa Family Biotechnology Endowed Scholarship Fund at Thiel College
• Elizabeth McElhaney Scholarship
• J. Scott Morrison Endowment for Science and Religion
• Arthur E. Smith Scholarship Fund
• TWC Amelia Earhart Scholarship
• Irene Wintersteen Memorial Science Scholarship

Visit our Financial Aid page to learn more about the types of aid available to students.

Clubs & Organizations

It's easy to get involved on campus! Joining a student club or organization is an excellent way to meet others and gain leadership experience. A physics major might be interested in the following clubs and orgs:

• Environmental Club
• Outdoor Recreation Club
• American Institute of Physics
• Sigma Pi Sigma (Society of Physics Students)
• Sigma Xi (Scientific Research Society)

Visit our Campus Life page to see a full list of student clubs and organizations.

Alumni and Careers

Thiel College alumni have gone on to successful careers in manufacturing, technology and engineering, as well as the oil and gas and mining industries. Here’s what you could do with your Thiel physics degree:

• A physics degree is among the highest paying with an average starting salary of $51,100*
• Accelerator Operators make an average salary of $67,287**
• Entry level data analysts earn an average salary of $52.779 per year***
• Software developers earn an average annual salary of $81,994****

*https://www.aps.org/careers/physicists/economics.cfm
**Wage information from www.glassdoor.com/salaries
***Salary information form www.payscale.com/salaries
****Salary information from www.glassdoor.com/salaries