ALL PROGRAMS

B.S. Physics Degree

ON-CAMPUS
B.S. Physics Degree
ALL PROGRAMS

B.S. Physics Degree

ON-CAMPUS
B.S. Physics Degree

Bachelor's in Physics

If you want to prepare for a successful career in physics, engineering, education, business, medical technologies, and other professional fields consider the benefits of the BS in Physics at Indiana Wesleyan University. With this program, you can develop experimental and theoretical skills in classical and modern physics, and put your learning into practice in real internship settings. At our Christian university, you can learn how to integrate biblical principles with this physics degree program.

Why Pursue My Bachelor’s in Physics at IWU?

There are several benefits to pursuing your BS in Physics at IWU. This accredited degree program is taught by faculty currently conducting exciting, cutting-edge research projects. We also provide comprehensive student services, from tech support to tutoring, to help you succeed in your education. Students learn from expert faculty who will become mentors in the faith, integrating classroom learning with biblical truths for a Christ-centered environment that encourages spiritual growth.

 

What Will I Learn in this BS in Physics Program?

The courses in this physics major are designed to help students understand and explain the visible world in terms of the invisible realities. The student experience combines traditional classroom learning with lab work and participating in faculty research projects. Course topics cover astrophysics, chemistry, differential equations, quantum mechanics, and more. Upon completion, students should possess the theoretical, experimental, and computational skills to start physics-related careers or pursue graduate studies.

What Makes IWU Different?

Education Pioneer

IWU has provided education for more than 100 years.

Rooted in Christ

Faith-integrated curriculum and a commitment to changing the world.

Superior Support

Center for Student Success for counseling, tutoring, and more!

Tuition & Fees

IWU surpasses the national averages in a number of important educational benchmarks, including, but not limited to: higher than average graduation and career outcome rates. Plus, compared to the national average, IWU students receive their education with lower than average student debt!

Explore Tuition Net Price Calculator

Indiana Wesleyan University

What You'll Study

Coursework for this BS in physics program covers how to:

  • Conceptualize the evolution of modern physics ideas and describe the struggles between classical ideas of Newtonian mechanics versus relativistic mechanics
  • Engage in original research under the direction of a faculty member
  • Explore the use, detection, and disposal of radioisotopes in medicine and biological research
  • Apply biblical principles to your professional decision-making

Indiana Wesleyan University

After Graduation

paw prints

Potential Careers

  • Physicist
  • Biochemist Technician
  • Science Teacher
  • Nuclear Monitoring Technician
  • Astronomer


Work in Various Industries

  • Industry

Program Requirements

A total of 58 credit hours of physics, mathematics, and chemistry are required. A minimum of 38 credit hours must be in physics. In addition, 20 credit hours are required in selected mathematics and chemistry courses.

Accreditation

A total of 58 credit hours of physics, mathematics, and chemistry are required. A minimum of 38 credit hours must be in physics. In addition, 20 credit hours are required in selected mathematics and chemistry courses.

Program FAQs

Students develop critical skills necessary to work with mechanical, electrical, optical, and thermal systems.
It includes learning to use tools like oscilloscopes, spectrometers, vacuum systems, lasers, and breadboards. Students also learn to perform statistical analysis, characterize measurement uncertainties (error analysis), and distinguish between random errors and systematic biases.
Students gain hands on experience in the classroom and laboratory as well as opportunity to pursue research through the program with distinguished faculty experts.
Students learn Calculus and vector analysis, differential equations, linear algebra, statistical analysis and probability.
Graduate studies to become research physicists or academics.

Dr. Warren Rogers: Endowed Chair of Physics, conducts research in nuclear physics, investigating and detecting neutrons arising from the decay of exotic nuclei.

Dr. Dan Jones: Professor of Biology, conducts research on dental osteonecrosis treatments.

Dr. Stephen Leonard, Associate Professor of Chemistry, conducts research on selective and potent inhibitors of the oncogenic tyrosine phosphatase SHP-2.

SCI 110 and PMD 110 are both first-year seminar courses that introduce students to areas of medicine and fields in STEM and the different career opportunities that are available within these fields. They learn about medical, dental, physician assistant and graduate school opportunities in research and medicine. Later through PMD 310 and BIO 490/CHE 490 they continue to explore career paths, participate in professional development (resumes, cover letters, interviews and LinkedIN).  IWU offers HRI research fellowship opportunities for students to gain hands on experience mentored by IWU STEM faculty, IWU Wildcat Farm offers horticulture internships and we promote many local and national research and internship opportunities to students throughout the year.  Faculty also provide guidance and mentorship to help discern next steps through advising and 1-1 mentor relationships, providing advice, expertise and letters of recommendation.

Our program provides preparation for a range of career professional career paths from science education to medicine to research in all areas of STEM. Specifically in the following areas these are paths students pursue:

 

Biology & Biochemistry

Biotechnology & Pharmaceutical Research: Developing new drugs, gene therapies, and vaccines. Roles include process development scientists, pharmacologists, and clinical trial coordinators.

Genetics & Bioinformatics Data Analysis: Analyzing genomic data to understand diseases or evolutionary history.

Healthcare & Medicine: Beyond becoming a physician, these degrees are essential for roles in diagnostic medical imaging, clinical laboratory science, and public health administration.

Chemistry

Material Science: Developing new polymers, batteries, or semiconductors. This is a massive field for chemistry majors interested in hardware and manufacturing.

Analytical Chemistry: Ensuring quality and safety in industries ranging from food and beverage to cosmetics and government regulatory agencies (FDA, USDA or EPA).

Chemical Engineering: Moving beyond the lab to scale up chemical processes for industrial production.

Physics

Data Science & Quant Finance: The mathematical modeling skills physicists develop are highly sought after by banks for risk assessment and algorithm development.

Aerospace & Defense: Working on propulsion systems, guidance software, and complex satellite communications.

Medical Physics: Designing and maintaining high-tech medical equipment like MRI, CT, and radiotherapy machines.

Environmental Science

Field Research and Biology: Conducts research on plants, animals, microbes etc.

Sustainability Consulting: Helping corporations reduce their carbon footprint, manage waste, and comply with environmental regulations.

Environmental Engineering: Designing water treatment plants, air filtration systems, and sustainable infrastructure.

Conservation & Policy: Working with NGOs or government agencies to influence land-use policy, manage ecosystems, and mitigate the effects of climate change.

Foundational courses such as BIO 125, CHE 125 and PHY 111.

Lucas Thomas, Medical School

Alec Foster, Medical School

Olivia Lucas, Graduate School

Entering the field as a STEM major, graduates can pursue research labs, working for zoos, botanical gardens, the government. Or graduates can pursue advanced degrees in graduate or medicine to become doctors or research scientists.

We have a strong community of students, faculty, and staff with many opportunities to gain hands-on experience and develop mentor-mentee relationships. We offer opportunities in research, to serves as a teaching assistant, lab prep assistant and horticulture internships.

This varies widely but for students wanting to pursue healthcare and medicine 1-3000 hours of patient contact hours is often required for graduate/medical schools.

Student have access to Student Thriving, Life Calling, IT, career services and tutoring.

Through their time here they interact with their academic advisor, faculty and develop meaningful mentoring relationships.

Students can apply to intern at Wildcat Farm through an application and selection process supervised by Dr. Jennifer Noseworthy and Professor Jacob Buck. Otherwise students pursue many intership opportunities off campus both locally and nationally.

If so, how many credits may transfer, and what does the transfer evaluation process involve?

Often they can depending on the program and there is course transfer evaluation form students can fill out and it will be reviewed by the division chair.

Not usually, however if a student participates in an internship they can research credit for their experience if they arrange it in advance of the internship experience.

None are required but many conduct research and participate in IWU HRI Colloquium and Celebration of Scholarship presenting oral and poster presentations.

We have state of the art facilities in STEM, a campus farm, robust research opportunities and students are exceptionally prepared for medical and graduate school

 Students that love science, medicine, the outdoors and critical thinking.
Is Christian faith incorporated into the program? If so, how and how frequently? Faith is integrated in all that we do in the program from coursework to research to opportunities to serve in the community and through missions trips.

Take the Next Step

Discover the way ahead and pursue new career opportunities in the field of physics with this BS in Physics degree program at IWU!

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