Creighton's physics programs are designed to combine a solid foundation in physics with adaptability to a wide range of student interests and career objectives. Our programs lay the foundation for careers in fields such as astronomy, astrophysics and space exploration, atomic physics, biophysics, computer science and technology, electronics and photonics, elementary particle physics, holography, laser physics, mathematical physics, medical physics, nuclear physics, optics, solid state physics, superconductivity - to name just a few.

There are graduates of Creighton's physics programs enjoying successful careers in all of the above fields, as well as medical doctors, dentists, lawyers and teachers who chose physics as their major at Creighton.

Our physics majors are prepared for entry-level positions in government or industry, or they can pursue graduate study in any of the many specialties of physics. Our majors are also accepted for graduate study in a variety of engineering fields, including electrical engineering. The acceptance rate for Creighton physics majors applying to graduate or professional schools is over 95%.

THE BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN PHYSICS (B.S. PHY) Major in Physics 48-50 Credits

This degree program provides a strong foundation for careers in the rapidly developing high-technology industries. It is highly recommended as preparation for graduate work in physics. It also prepares students for graduate study in most engineering fields without requiring the early specialization, typical of undergraduate engineering programs, that can greatly reduce career options.

Course Requirements: Students must complete the Physics courses listed here. In addition, they must complete the following courses:

Six additional credits from the Advanced Lecture Electives courses listed above.

And either

CHM 203/204 General Chemistry I with lab (4 credits), and
CHM 205/206 General Chemistry II with lab (4 credits)

(Or, choose two courses from the following:)

MTH 529 Linear Algebra (3 credits)
MTH 543 Numerical Analysis (3 credit)
MTH 545 Differential Equations (3 credits)
MTH 561 Mathematical Statistics I (3 credits)

Additional coursework in mathematics, computer science, chemistry, or other sciences is recommended. Courses selected will depend on specific career goals.

THE BACHELOR OF SCIENCE (B.S.) MAJOR IN PHYSICS 36 Credits

This program provides the necessary preparation for entry-level work as a physicist in government or industry. It also prepares students for entry-level work or graduate study in a wide variety of interdisciplinary science and engineering fields including astronomy and astrophysics, computational physics, geophysics, planetary science, electrical engineering, nuclear engineering, etc. Also, the program is highly recommended for any career in which a liberal arts degree with a concentration in physics may be desirable - scientific writing and reporting, criminology, patent law, scientific equipment sales, high-school physics teaching (when combined with the required education courses) - to name just a few. Students should work closely with their advisors in choosing electives to prepare for specific career goals.

Biomedical Physics Track

The biomedical physics track offers three specializations: Pre-Biomedical Engineering, Pre-Medical Physics, and Pre-Biophysics. Each of them is designed for students interested in pursuing advanced degrees in those areas or related fields.

Course Requirements: The following Physics courses are required for all majors.

Either

• PHY 213 General Physics I (3 credits)
• PHY 205 LM General Physics I Lab (1 credit)
• PHY 214 General Physics II (3 credits)
• PHY 206 LM General Physics I Lab (1 credit)

Or

• PHY 221 Mathematical Modeling of the Physical World I (3 credits)
• PHY 205 LM General Physics I Lab (1 credit)
• PHY 222 Mathematical Modeling of the Physical World II (3 credits)
• PHY 206 LM General Physics I Lab (1 credit)

(All of the following:) 

• PHY 301 Modern Physics (3 credits)
• PHY 397 Resarch Methods (2 credits)
• PHY 303 Electronics Laboratory (1 credit)
• PHY 331 Physical Optics (3 credits)
• PHY 332 Optics Laboratory (1 credit)
• PHY 471 Classical Mechanics (3 credits)
• PHY 481 Electricity and Magnetism (3 credits)
• PHY 491 Physics Seminar (1 credit)
• PHY 531 Quantum Mechanics (3 credits)
• PHY 541 Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics (3 credits)
• PHY 497 Directed Independent Research (1 credit) 
• PHY 499 Research Capstone (1 credit)

(Advanced Lecture Elective: Choose 3 credits from the following:)

• PHY 351 Physics in Medicine (3 credits)
• PHY 353 Introduction to Biological Physics (3 credits)
• PHY 522 Electric Circuits (3 credits)
• PHY 551 Mathematical Physics (3 credits)
• PHY 552 Computational Physics (3 credits)
• PHY 558 Relativity: The Special and General Theories (3 credits)
• PHY 559 Gravitation and Cosmology (3 credits)
• PHY 561 Nuclear Physics (3 credits)
• PHY 563 High Energy Nuclear Physics (1 credit)
• PHY 571 Solid State Physics (3 credits)
• PHY 587 Laser Physics (3 credits)
• PHY 595 Special Topics (3 credits)

Requisite Courses: The courses listed above require the calculus sequence MTH 245, 246, 347 (12 credits)

Additional coursework in physics, mathematics, computer science, chemistry, biology, or other sciences is recommended. Choices will depend on the specific career plans and interests of the students.

There are three specializations within the track:

• Pre-Biomedical Engineering
• Pre-Medical Physics
• Pre-Biophysics

Requisite Courses (24 credit hours): BIO 201 & 205 - General Biology: Organismal & Population (lecture & laboratory), BIO 202 & 206 - General Biology: Molecular & Cellular (lecture & laboratory),  CHM 203 General Chemistry I, CHM 204 General Chemistry I Laboratory, CHM 205 General Chemistry II (or CHM 285 Advanced General Chemistry II), CHM 206 General Chemistry II Laboratory (or CHM 286 Chemistry and Statistical Analysis Laboratory),  MTH 245 Calculus I, MTH 246 Calculus II

This innovative program allows students to benefit from both a Jesuit, liberal arts education at Creighton University and a technical education in Engineering at Washington University in St. Louis. Program participants spend three years at Creighton, developing the creativity, communication, and problem-solving skills renowned in a liberal arts education, before completing the additional two years of study in Engineering at Washington University.

Graduates will earn both a B.S. in Physics from Creighton and a B.S. in Engineering from Washington University.  The Engineering degree can provide the technical skills necessary to analyze and solve many of the real-world problems that face civilization today while the Creighton degree, with the strong emphasis on Liberal Arts, will provide the ‘soft’ skills that are necessary for success in the modern work environment.

If you are a current Creighton student who is interested in more information about the 3-2 program, please sign up for our Blueline site! https://blueline.instructure.com/enroll/7MKKAL

Engineering Concentrations at Washington University:

• ​​Biomedical Engineering
• Chemical Engineering
• Computer Engineering
• Computer Science
• Electrical Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering
• Systems Science and Engineering

For more information about Washington University’s dual degree program with Creighton University please visit Washington University’s Dual Degree Program Website.

Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Major in Applied Physics and Pre-Engineering: 36 Credits

Course Requirements

Four credits from the following:

Four credits from the following:

All of the following:

Three credits from the following:

Three credits from the following:

Nine credits from the following:

Requisite Courses:  MTH 245, 246, 347
 

To declare a major in Physics, a student must have completed one of the general physics sequences: PHY 211 and PHY 212 or PHY 213 and PHY 214 or PHY 221 and PHY 212 or received an "A" or "B" in PHY 211, PHY 213, or PHY 221.

Minor in Physics

The physics minor offers students the opportunity to obtain a thorough introduction to the theoretical and experimental methods extensively used by physical scientists and engineers. In addition to exploring the historical and philosophical development of physics from the Greeks to the modern era, the physics minor emphasizes the development of practical quantitative problem solving skills which are valuable for all students regardless of major.

Minor in Biological Physics

The Biological Physics minor provides an opportunity to apply the concepts and methods of the physicist to advance our understanding of the life sciences. Students pursuing careers in medicine or the life sciences can use this minor to improve their preparation for the interdisciplinary nature of modern science.

Declaring a Minor

A student may not declare a minor until he or she has been accepted into a Major. Please visit the minor declaration form to declare a minor. Note that eighteen credits of coursework are required to complete a minor.  Students must achieve a cumulative GPA of 2.00 in courses toward the minor.

Teacher Certification

Students who think they may teach Physics in secondary schools must consult with the Education Department, with the Physics Department, and with the appropriate agency in the state in which they intend to teach.