Program Overview

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Physics (Professional)

The Physics program at Montana State University is designed to prepare motivated students for graduate study with a sound background in the fundamentals of physics and mathematics, as well as hands-on research opportunities within state-of-the-art facilities. Students in the Physics program work closely with faculty on cutting-edge research projects that range from subjects as varied as astrophysics, biophysics, optics, and space science.

Program Overview

The Professional option in the Physics program is specifically designed to prepare students for graduate study. Graduates of the Professional program go on to continue their studies at schools such as Caltech, Stanford, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Research Opportunities

Students have the opportunity to intern with the Montana Space Grant Consortium, working within a national network to advance aerospace research and education. The eXtreme Gravity Institute at Montana State brings together physicists and astronomers to study phenomena where the forces of gravity are so strong they blur the separation between space and time, such as the big bang, neutron stars, and black holes.

Career Resources

Within their first year of graduation, more than 96% of Montana State graduates are employed, continuing their education, or not seeking employment. Career guidance website Zippia consistently ranks MSU as the #1 school in the state where alumni are most likely to land jobs. Professional career coaches help students with their career exploration, employer networking opportunities, and job or internship searches.

Careers

Professional Physics students at Montana State University go into careers such as:

• Biophysics
• Space Science
• Lasers & Optics
• Research & Development

Sample Course Plan

The following is a sample course plan for the Physics (Professional) program:

Year One

• Fall:
  • PHSX 240 - Honors Gen & Mod Phys I*
  • M 181Q - Honors Calculus I (Recommended) or M 171Q - Calculus I
  • University Core and Electives
• Spring:
  • PHSX 242 - Honors Gen & Mod Phys II*
  • M 182 - Honors Calculus II (Recommended) or M 172 - Calculus II
  • University Core and Electives

Year Two

• Fall:
  • PHSX 224 - Physics III
  • M 283 - Honors Multivariable Calculus (Recommended) or M 273 - Multivariable Calculus
  • PHSX 261 - Laboratory Electronics I
  • University Core and Electives
• Spring:
  • PHSX 262 - Laboratory Electronics II
  • PHSX 301 - Mathematical Methods in the Physical Sciences
  • M 284 - Honors Introduction to Differential Equations (Recommended) or M 274 - Introduction to Differential Equation
  • University Core and Electives
  • PHSX 200 - Research Programs in Physics

Year Three

• Fall:
  • PHSX 320 - Classical Mechanics
  • PHSX 331 - Methods of Computational Physics
  • PHSX 343 - Modern Physics
  • PHSX 490R - Undergraduate Research
  • University Core and Electives
• Spring:
  • PHSX 423 - Electricity and Magnetism I
  • PHSX 446 - Thermodynamics & Statistical Mechanics
  • Physics Electives
  • University Core and Electives

Year Four

• Fall:
  • PHSX 425 - Electricity and Magnetism II
  • PHSX 461 - Quantum Mechanics I
  • PHSX 444 - Advanced Physics Lab
  • PHSX 490R - Undergraduate Research
  • University Core and Electives
• Spring:
  • PHSX 462 - Quantum Mechanics II
  • PHSX 499R - Senior Capstone Seminar
  • Physics Electives
  • University Core and Electives Total Program Credits: 120

Other Options

The Physics major at Montana State offers one additional Option Within the Major: Interdisciplinary. There are also minors available in Optics & Photonics and Physics Teaching.