At a Glance

  • Flexibility
    Part Time | Full Time
  • Delivery Options
    On Campus
  • Degree
    BS

Physics majors are problem solvers, equipped with the inventive thinking and analytical skills that are valuable to a wide range of employers.

Bachelor of Science in Physics

Student works with equipment in a UMass Lowell engineering physics lab

Discover how the universe works — from quantum physics to the cosmos — with a Bachelor of Science in Physics at UMass Lowell. 

Explore the fundamental and applied aspects of physics while you build strong skills in problem-solving, data analysis and experimental design. You’ll learn how to design and build instrumentation, run experiments and communicate scientific ideas with confidence.

Get hands-on experience early through funded research with faculty in labs, observatories and advanced facilities. You’ll also complete a capstone research project, often leading to presentations or publications.

You’ll graduate ready for careers in technology, engineering, industry and government, or for graduate study in physics and related fields. 


Focus Your Studies

Choose a focus area based on your interests and career goals.

  • General

    Gain a broad and solid grounding in physics. 
  • Astronomy and Astrophysics
    Focus on studies of celestial objects and phenomena beyond Earth.
  • Radiological Health Physics
    Study of the effects of radiation and radioactivity on life processes.

Career Outlook for Physics Majors

  • $71K

    Median annual salary for bachelor's degree holders in New England
    Source: Lightcast, 2025

  • +10.6%

    Projected job growth in New England (2023–2035)
    Source: Lightcast, 2025

What Can You Do with a Degree in Physics?

UMass Lowell physics graduates are prepared to continue to graduate school or to launch careers in educational institutions, small businesses, industrial firms, government laboratories and non-profit research centers.

Physics equipment glowing purple in a UMass Lowell laboratory

Career Placements

  • Canberra Industries, Inc.
  • Draper Laboratory
  • Dupont
  • Los Alamos National Lab
  • MIT Lincoln Labs
  • MITRE Corporation
  • Oak Ridge National Lab
  • Raytheon
  • U.S. Department of Energy
  • U.S. Naval Research Lab

Meet Our Students

Julie Sage works with radio equipment at WUML, the UMass Lowell radio station.
Julie Sage '26
Physics

Physics major Julie Sage pursues her interests by acting in campus plays, joining the Astronomy Club and hosting her radio program at WUML.

There are a lot of opportunities here at UML to have fun, join clubs, make friends and really connect with people.
UMass Lowell student Albert Farah is seated at a desk while looking at a computer and tablet.
Albert Farah '24
Physics, Mathematics

Albert Farah found multiple paid research experiences at UMass Lowell.

The professors are really excited to talk about their research, and that infuses itself into me.
Liam with a telescope
Liam Neeley '23
Physics

Physics major Liam Neeley spends his nights looking at the stars as a student worker at the UMass Lowell Schueller Observatory.

With this research, I’m applying what I’ve been learning in class.

Courses You'll Take as a Physics Major

Sample course topics include: 

  • Honors Physics
  • Calculus
  • Optics and Waves
  • Astrophysics
  • Vibration and Sound
  • Electromagnetism
  • Physics Capstone
  • View All Physics Courses

Year-by-Year Course Plan

Check out our degree pathways, which offer sample plans for completing your degree in four years.

For students who entered fall 2015 and beyond.

Freshman Year

Fall Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
PHYS.1610Honors Physics I4
PHYS.1610LHonors Physics I Lab2
ENGL.1010 /
HONR.1100		College Writing I /
First Year Seminar in Honors: Text in the City (CW)		3
MATH.1310Calculus I (MATH)4
xxxx.xxxxSocial Sciences Perspective (SS)3
Total16(61)

Spring Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
PHYS.1120Freshman Physics Seminar1
PHYS.1640Honors Physics II4
PHYS.1640LHonors Physics II Lab2
ENGL.1020College Writing II (CW)3
MATH.1320Calculus II (STEM)4
xxxx.xxxxArts and Humanities Perspective (AH)33
Total17(71)

Sophomore Year

Fall Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
PHYS.2690Honors Physics III4
PHYS.2610LPhysics of Material and Devices3
CHEM.1210Chemistry I (SCL)3
CHEM.1230LChemistry I Lab (SCL)1
MATH.2310Calculus III4
Total15(71)

Spring Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
PHYS.2100Introductory Modern Physics3
PHYS.2620LPrinciples of Lab Automation3
CHEM.1220Chemistry II (SCL)3
CHEM.1240LChemistry II Lab (SCL)1
MATH.2340Differential Equations3
xxxx.xxxxSocial Sciences Perspective (SS)33
Total16(61)

Junior Year

Fall Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
PHYS.3530Electromagnetism I3
PHYS.4130Mechanics3
MATH.3810Mathematical Physics3
PHYS.xxxxPhysics Elective I3
xxxx.xxxxArts and Humanities Perspective (AH)3
Total15(91)

Spring Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
PHYS.4350Introductory Quantum Mechanics I3
PHYS.3380Optics and Waves3
PHYS.3930LAdvanced Experimental Physics Laboratory I (CTPS), (QL)2
PHYS.3820Mathematical Physics II3
xxxx.xxxxSocial Sciences Perspective (SS)3
Total14(111)

Senior Year

Fall Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
PHYS.4540Physics Capstone (IL), (WOC), (AIL)3
PHYS.xxxxPhysics Elective II3
PHYS.xxxxPhysics Elective III3
xxxx.xxxxSpecial Elective I23
xxxx.xxxxArts and Humanities Perspective (AH)3
Total15(91)

Spring Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
PHYS.3940LAdvanced Physics Lab II2
PHYS.xxxxPhysics Elective IV3
xxxx.xxxxSpecial Elective II23
xxxx.xxxxSpecial Elective III23
xxxx.xxxxFree Elective1
Total12(51)

Total Minimum Credits = 120.

1Number of specified physics credits.

2Must be an elective from outside the Physics Department.

3The Core Curriculum Essential Learning Outcomes for Diversity and Cultural Awareness (DCA) and Social Responsibility and Ethics (SRE) are fulfilled outside this major. See the DCA course listing and the SRE course listing for a full list of classes that fulfill these requirements.

No more than two Breadth of Knowledge (BOK) courses can be taken with the same prefix. The Core Curriculum courses may be taken in any sequence. Refer to the Core Curriculum policy for further details. You should meet with your faculty advisor to determine how you will meet the Core Curriculum requirements.

Current UMass Lowell students should use their Advisement Report in SiS. If you need assistance, please contact your adviser.

Restriction on off-campus study:

Be advised that any course taken at another institution must be formally approved prior to enrollment. See the catalog policy for details.

Breadth of Knowledge (BOK) Glossary

  • SS - Social Sciences Perspective - 9 credits
  • AH - Arts and Humanities Perspective - 9 credits
  • SCL - Sciences with Lab Perspective - 6-8 credits
  • STEM - Science, Technology, Engineering and Math Perspective - 3 credits
  • CW - College Writing I and II - 6 credits
  • MATH - Math Perspective - 3 credits

Read more about the Breadth of Knowledge requirements.

Essential Learning Outcomes (ELO) Glossary

  • AIL - Applied and Integrative Learning
  • CTPS - Critical Thinking and Problem Solving
  • DCA - Diversity and Cultural Awareness
  • IL - Information Literacy
  • QL - Quantitative Literacy
  • SRE - Social Responsibility and Ethics
  • WOC - Written and Oral Communication

Read more about the Essential Learning Outcomes.

For students who entered fall 2021 and beyond.

Freshman Year

Fall Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
PHYS.1610Honors Physics I4
PHYS.1610LHonors Physics I Laboratory2
ENGL.1010 /
HONR.1100		College Writing I /
First Year Seminar in Honors: Text in the City (CW)		3
MATH.1310Calculus I (MATH)4
xxxx.xxxxSocial Sciences Perspective (SS)3
Total16 (61)

Spring Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
PHYS.1120Freshman Physics Seminar1
PHYS.1640Honors Physics II4
PHYS.1640LHonors Physics Lab II2
ENGL.1020College Writing II (CW)3
MATH.1320Calculus II (STEM)4
xxxx.xxxxArts and Humanities Perspective (AH)33
Total17 (71)

Sophomore Year

Fall Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
PHYS.2690Honors Physics III4
PHYS.2610LThe Physics of Materials and Devices3
CHEM.1210Chemistry I (SCL)3
CHEM.1230LChemistry I Laboratory (SCL)1
MATH.2310Calculus III4
Total15 (71)

Spring Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
PHYS.2100Introductory Modern Physics3
PHYS.2620LPrinciples in Laboratory Automation3
CHEM.1220Chemistry II (SCL)3
CHEM.1240LChemistry II Laboratory (SCL)1
MATH.2340 /
MATH.2360		Differential Equations /
Engineering Differential Equations		3
xxxx.xxxxSocial Sciences Perspective (SS)33
Total16 (61)

Junior Year

Fall Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
PHYS.3530Electromagnetism I3
PHYS.4130Mechanics3
MATH.3810Mathematical Physics3
PHYS.xxxxAstronomy Elective43
xxxx.xxxxArts and Humanities Perspective (AH)3
Total15 (91)

Spring Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
PHYS.4350Introductory Quantum Mechanics I3
PHYS.3380Optics and Waves3
PHYS.3930LAdvanced Experimental Physics Laboratory I (CTPS), (QL)2
PHYS.3820Mathematical Physics II3
xxxx.xxxxSocial Sciences Perspective (SS)3
Total14 (111)

Senior Year

Fall Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
PHYS.4540Physics Capstone (IL), (WOC), (AIL)3
PHYS.xxxxAstronomy Elective43
PHYS.xxxxAstronomy Elective43
xxxx.xxxxSpecial Elective23
xxxx.xxxxArts and Humanities Perspective (AH)3
Total15 (91)

Spring Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
PHYS.3940LAdvanced Physics Lab II2
PHYS.xxxxAstronomy Elective43
xxxx.xxxxSpecial Elective23
xxxx.xxxxSpecial Elective23
xxxx.xxxxSpecial Elective21
Total12 (51)

Total Minimum Credits = 120

1Number of specified physics credits.

2Special Electives:

  • Special Electives must be courses from outside the Physics Department.
  • Courses below the lowest-level required course in the Physics major cannot be used as Special Electives. For example, no MATH course below Calculus I is acceptable.
  • Any combination of 10 credits that meets the above two conditions is acceptable.

3The Arts and Humanities (AH) and Social Sciences (SS) perspectives are subsets of the Breadth of Knowledge (BOK) requirements in the Core Curriculum. No more than two BOK courses can be taken with the same prefix.

The Core Curriculum also includes seven Essential Learning Outcomes (ELOs). The Diversity and Cultural Awareness (DCA) and Social Responsibility and Ethics (SRE) are met outside this major. See the DCA course list and SRE course list for a catalog of classes satisfying these requirements.

Please Note: Use the Class Search tool to identify AH and SS courses that simultaneously satisfy the DCA or SRE requirement.

Core Curriculum courses may be taken in any sequence.

Refer to the Core Curriculum policy for complete details. Please meet with your college-based professional advisor and/or faculty advisor to determine how best to satisfy the Core Curriculum requirements.

4Astronomy Electives:

Twelve (12) credits of upper-level physics electives must be completed from the following list of approved Astronomy courses.

Current UMass Lowell students should use their Advisement Report in SiS. If you need assistance, please contact your adviser.

Restriction on off-campus study:

Be advised that any course taken at another institution must be formally approved prior to enrollment. See the catalog policy for details.

Breadth of Knowledge (BOK) Glossary

  • SS - Social Sciences Perspective - 9 credits
  • AH - Arts and Humanities Perspective - 9 credits
  • SCL - Sciences with Lab Perspective - 6-8 credits
  • STEM - Science, Technology, Engineering and Math Perspective - 3 credits
  • CW - College Writing I and II - 6 credits
  • MATH - Math Perspective - 3 credits

Read more about the Breadth of Knowledge requirements.

Essential Learning Outcomes (ELO) Glossary

  • AIL - Applied and Integrative Learning
  • CTPS - Critical Thinking and Problem Solving
  • DCA - Diversity and Cultural Awareness
  • IL - Information Literacy
  • QL - Quantitative Literacy
  • SRE - Social Responsibility and Ethics
  • WOC - Written and Oral Communication

Read more about the Essential Learning Outcomes.

For students who entered fall 2018 and beyond.

Freshman Year

Fall Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
PHYS.1610Honors Physics I4
PHYS.1610LHonors Physics I Lab2
ENGL.1010 /
HONR.1100		College Writing I /
First Year Seminar in Honors: Text in the City (CW)		3
MATH.1310Calculus I (MATH)4
xxxx.xxxxArts and Humanities Perspective (AH)23
Total16(61)

Spring Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
PHYS.1120Freshman Physics Seminar1
PHYS.1640Honors Physics II4
PHYS.1640LHonors Physics II Lab2
ENGL.1020College Writing II (CW)3
MATH.1320Calculus II (STEM)4
xxxx.xxxxSocial Sciences Perspective (SS)23
Total17(71)

Sophomore Year

Fall Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
PHYS.2690Honors Physics III4
PHYS.2610LThe Physics of Materials and Devices3
CHEM.1210Chemistry I (SCL)3
CHEM.1230LChemistry I Lab (SCL)1
MATH.2310Calculus III4
Total15(71)

Spring Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
PHYS.2100Introductory Modern Physics3
MATH.2340
Differential Equations3
CHEM.1220Chemistry II (SCL)3
CHEM.1240LChemistry II Lab (SCL)1
PHYS.2620LPrinciples of Lab Automation3
PHYS.2040Introduction to Radiological Sciences3
Total16(91)

Junior Year

Fall Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
PHYS.4810Mathematical Methods of Radiological Sciences3
PHYS.4060Nuclear Instrumentation (CTPS), (QL)3
BIOL.1110Principles of Biology I3
BIOL.1170LExperimental Biology I1
HSCI.1010Human Anatomy and Physiology I3
HSCI.1030Human Anatomy and Physiology I Lab1
Total14(61)

Spring Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
PHYS.4820Numerical Methods of Radiological Sciences3
MATH.3860Probability and Statistics I3
BIOL.1120Principles of Biology II3
BIOL.1180LExperimental Biology II1
HSCI.1020Human Anatomy and Physiology II3
HSCI.1040Human Anatomy and Physiology II Lab1
xxxx.xxxxArts and Humanities Perspective (AH)3
Total17(31)

Senior Year

Fall Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
PHYS.4010Radiation Safety and Control I4
PHYS.4530Health Physics Capstone (IL), (WOC), (AIL)3
PHYS.2010Health Physics Internship3
xxxx.xxxxSocial Sciences Perspective (SS)3
xxxx.xxxxArts and Humanities Perspective (AH)3
Total16(101)

Spring Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
PHYS.4020LRadiation Safety and Control II4
PHYS.4620Radiation Biology3
xxxx.xxxxRadiological Sciences Elective33
xxxx.xxxxSocial Sciences Persp. (SS)3
Total13(101)

Total Minimum Credits = 124

1Number of specified physics credits.

2The Core Curriculum Essential Learning Outcomes for Diversity and Cultural Awareness (DCA) and Social Responsibility and Ethics (SRE) are fulfilled outside this major. See the DCA course listing and the SRE course listing for a full list of classes that fulfill these requirements.

3Choose from the following:

No more than two Breadth of Knowledge (BOK) courses can be taken with the same prefix. The Core Curriculum courses may be taken in any sequence. Refer to the Core Curriculum policy for further details. You should meet with your faculty advisor to determine how you will meet the Core Curriculum requirements.

Current UMass Lowell students should use their Advisement Report in SiS. If you need assistance, please contact your adviser.

Restriction on off-campus study:

Be advised that any course taken at another institution must be formally approved prior to enrollment. See the catalog policy for details.

Breadth of Knowledge (BOK) Glossary

  • SS - Social Sciences Perspective - 9 credits
  • AH - Arts and Humanities Perspective - 9 credits
  • SCL - Sciences with Lab Perspective - 6-8 credits
  • STEM - Science, Technology, Engineering and Math Perspective - 3 credits
  • CW - College Writing I and II - 6 credits
  • MATH - Math Perspective - 3 credits

Read more about the Breadth of Knowledge requirements.

Essential Learning Outcomes (ELO) Glossary

  • AIL - Applied and Integrative Learning
  • CTPS - Critical Thinking and Problem Solving
  • DCA - Diversity and Cultural Awareness
  • IL - Information Literacy
  • QL - Quantitative Literacy
  • SRE - Social Responsibility and Ethics
  • WOC - Written and Oral Communication

Read more about the Essential Learning Outcomes.

Why Study Physics at UMass Lowell?

A UMass Lowell physics student works with a large piece of lab equipment

Research Opportunities

Gain research experience through employment with the department’s research faculty or internships in national labs such as Los Alamos National Laboratory or in high-tech firms such as Draper Laboratory. Cutting-edge research programs include:

  • Subatomic physics
  • Astrophysics
  • Nanoscience
  • Photonics
  • Terahertz technology
  • Radiological and medical physics
Engineering student works on a device in a UMass Lowell lab.

World-class Facilities and Equipment

Gain access to numerous on-campus facilities, including:

  • An astronomical observatory
  • 1-MW research reactor and a 5-MV particle accelerator for nuclear science and applications
  • Fabrication facilities for space-mission instrumentation
  • Optical and NMR spectroscopic and imaging equipment
  • Femtosecond pulsed lasers
  • Sophisticated terahertz imaging capabilities
A finger points to a string vibrating in a UMass Lowell physics classroom

Student Organizations

Put your learning into practice by joining student-run clubs and organizations, including:

  • River Hawk Racing
  • Society of Physics Students
Physics students work with lab equipment at UMass Lowell

Career Connected Experience: The UMass Lowell Guarantee

Every first-time, first-year UMass Lowell student will have the opportunity to pursue at least one Career Connected Experience (internships, co-ops, clinical placements, service learning, study abroad and more) during their undergraduate career — earning pay, credits or both before they graduate.

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