Physicists are explorers of the physical universe seeking to understand the fundamental behavior of nature from elementary particles to galaxies. 

Physics, as a natural science, is a core component of a liberal education, and learning science requires the development and application of critical thinking skills to the natural and man-made world. The members of the physics department are devoted to learning and teaching about the ways in which the physical aspects of our existence can be understood and shaped by qualitative and quantitative reasoning within the framework of physics, the foundation of the natural sciences.

The physics department provides an excellent liberal education experience for GVSU students with student tailored physics courses and programs, mentored research experiences with faculty, and outreach activities. 

Check out the following links:

• Why Study Physics?  Find out by clicking on the link: Why Physics?
• Employment data for bachelor's degree recipients: The graphics include data on sectors and field of employment as well as starting salaries for new physics and astronomy bachelors.  
• Who’s Hiring Physics Bachelors? - The resource contains state by state lists of some of the employers who have recently hired new physics bachelors. The lists is useful to (1) physics majors in identifying the variety of companies that hire physics bachelors and (2) to physics departments wishing to strengthen contacts with local employers.       

Physics Program

The Department of Physics is in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. It offers a Bachelor of Science degree (B.S.) with a major in physics. Our robust program engages students in observation, experimentation, and theoretical study of the various phenomena of nature. The Physics Department offers:

• B.S. in physics
• A minor in physics
• The option for secondary teacher certification
• An M. Ed. with an emphasis in physics