Physics
Think big—or small—or anywhere in between. From subatomic particles to the ever-expanding universe, physics explains the natural phenomena all around us, and serves as the foundation for chemistry, astronomy and many other scientific fields. If you have questions about how the world works, physics is where you’ll find the answers. Whether you want to discover black holes, invent faster computer chips or become a teacher, physics lets you be a force in the world.
What will I learn?
As a physics major, you’ll take courses in chemistry and mathematics, along with classes covering classical mechanics, electricity, magnetism, thermal and statistical physics, quantum mechanics and relativity.
At UB, we try hard to take the friction out of learning. Demonstration-filled lectures show concepts in action, while hands-on labs give you experience with circuits, forces and other topics, to help you fully understand the underlying phenomena.
Physics BA vs. BS
- The BA is for students who enjoy physics, but also want a broad education (or may want to be a secondary school teacher).
- The BS is for students who want to be professional physicists, and is recommended for those considering graduate school.
What can I do with a physics degree?
From improving health and safety for miners in the U.S., to doing hands-on work for the European Organization for Nuclear Research, our graduates have found success around the globe.
A degree in physics gives you momentum throughout your career and lets you work in a variety of settings, including:
- Schools and universities. As a teacher or professor, you can work help inspire the next generation of physicists and engineers, often while conducting your own research.
- Private companies. From computers to aerospace, many industries rely on physicists to help them create and improve products.
- Government agencies. The U.S. Department of Energy and Department of Defense are just two of the organizations that hire physicists to develop new simulation tools, test equipment and perform other critical tasks.
Want to be a teacher?
Be prepared to teach grades 5-12 by getting your bachelor's and master's in just five years through our UB Teach program.
- Save time and money.
- No need to apply to graduate school.
- Be eligible for New York State professional teaching certification.
Visit the department website (at the top of this page) for more details, or see the for a list of all available majors.
By the Numbers
Check out salary ranges and career outlooks straight from the U.S. Department of Labor to see the return on investment for your degree.
| Occupation Title | Mean Annual Wage | Mean Hourly Wage | Future Outlook |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural Sciences Managers | $87,060.00 | $41.86 | Rapid Growth |
| Physicists | $56,890.00 | $27.35 | Rapid Growth |
| Physics Teachers, Postsecondary | $122,620.00 | $58.95 | |
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $78,500.00 | N/A |
Data provided by the and DOL data from 2024.