Physics Program Overview

The Physics program at Cornell University's College of Arts & Sciences is designed to develop analytical and problem-solving skills in students. The program allows students to customize their studies by taking a common core set of courses and then choosing a concentration that complements the core. Concentrations can be in physics or interdisciplinary fields such as chemical physics, geophysics, astrophysics, biophysics, applied math, philosophy of science, computer science, and more. Students can also create an individualized concentration with courses in physics-related economics, history, law, or business.

Sample Classes

• Physics of Musical Sound
• Introduction to Special Relativity
• Thermodynamics and Statistical Physics
• Geometric Concepts in Physics

Outcomes

Based on the 2022 First-Destination Post-Graduate Survey, the outcomes for physics majors are as follows:

Graduate School

• 64% of physics majors pursued graduate school.
• 75% focused on their PhD, 12% worked towards an MEng, 7% dedicated to an MS, and more.
• Graduate field interests ranged from physics (58%) to computer science (4%) and applied physics (3%).
• Prestigious institutions where graduates continued their education include the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Northwestern University, Princeton University, Stanford University, and Washington University in St. Louis.

Employment

• 30% of physics graduates secured employment.
• The majority entered sectors in technology (32%), financial services (12%), and consulting/professional practice (9%).
• Top 2022 employers included Goldman Sachs, Google, and Microsoft.

Where 2022 Physics Graduates Work

Employer	Job Titles
Amazon	Software Engineer
Epic Systems	Software Developer
Goldman Sachs	Engineering Analyst
Google	Marketing Specialist
Mercer	Health Analyst
Microsoft	Software Engineer
UnitedHealth Group	New Product Development Analyst