Physicists are scientific generalists that study the nature of the universe. A background in physics can inform the study of other disciplines, and is one of the preferred preparations for many activities that are setting new directions in society. The department offers several courses for non-science majors to provide some of this background. The physics department also coordinates the dual degree in engineering.
The Physics Department offers a B.S. in Physics. The requirements for a major or minor in physics are relatively flexible, and are designed to prepare people for either graduate work in physics or for later specialization in other areas. A pre-med track is recommended for students planning to attend medical school after graduation. The Engineering Physics track provides more opportunities for practical problem solving and engineering design.
What Can You Do With A Physics Degree?
One of the appealing quality of physics degree is its versatility that leads to the diversity of successful career paths. Typical physics graduate has skills that are in high demand in diverse sectors, including education, engineering, defense, the public sector, healthcare, computing and finances.
Not surprisingly, our physics students pursue a number of exciting careers after graduation. Some of them choose to receive advance degrees in physics, engineering or other sciences, some decide to use their skills in industry or education. Below are some of the places a degree in physics from William & Mary can take you.
Collapsible list
Many of our students decide to apply to PhD programs in Physics in many top universities
Boston University
Brown University
California Institute of Technology
Cornell University
Duke
Harvard
Johns Hopkins University
MIT
Penn State University
Stanford University
State University of NY Stony Brook
UNC Chapel Hill
University of Arizona
University of California, Davis
University of California, Santa Cruz
University of Colorado Boulder
University of Illinois, Chicago
University of Massachusetts, Amherst
University of New Hampshire
University of Pittsburgh
University of Texas
University of Wisconsin, Madison
UVA
Vanderbilt University
Virginia Tech
Wake Forrest University
Yale
A large fraction of our students continues their education toward advance degrees in other areas of science and technology
PhD program in Biophysics and Structural Biology, University of Rochester
Graduate program in Sensor Fusion and Robotics, Thayer School of Engineering at Dartmouth
PhD in Mathematics, University of Cambridge
Graduate program in Law, University of Michigan
Automotive Engineering, Clemson University
Medical School, Eastern Virginia Medical School in Norfolk
PhD program in Astronomy, University of California, Berkeley
PhD program in Applied Math, University of Maryland
Law School, University of North Carolina
Masters program in Architecture, Virginia Tech
United States Navy Officer Candidate School, Nuclear Submarines
Masters program in Accounting, College of William and Mary
Patent Law, George Mason University
PhD program in Nuclear Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
PhD program in Applied Science, College of William and Mary
French Culinary Institute in New York City
Seminary, Catholic Diocese of Richmond
Pharmacy School, Hampton, VA
Electrical Engineering, University of California Santa Cruz
MD/PhD Bioinformatics, George Mason University
PhD in Biomedical Engineering at the University of Cincinnati
And some are entering the workforce in various capacities
