Minor in Physics

Our students become well-rounded and adroit in their understanding of physical concepts basic to the laws of nature and how things work, and they enjoy careers in engineering, research, technology and academia.

The minor in physics provides students with an understanding of the physical concepts that are basic to the laws of nature and how things work. In addition to coursework in physics, the program includes training in quantum mechanics, electricity and magnetism, thermodynamics, and statistical mechanics. The minor complements many majors of study, especially astronomy, biology, engineering and chemistry. 

  • Learn from one of the top physics programs in the world
  • Prepare to use your rigorous scientific education to solve real-world problems
  • Complement your undergraduate studies with a minor

One of the top 15 physics programs in the world

(Academic Ranking of World Universities, 2020)

Learn from world-renowned faculty, including Nobel laureates, Packard fellows, MacArthur fellows and Presidential Early Career Award winner

Gain research experience alongside National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) scientists through our PREP program

Be successful.

A minor in physics provides students with skills and knowledge that can be applied to a variety of careers.

 

Broaden your employment possibilities with additional knowledge and skills gained from a minor

 

Work for scientific institutes (NIST, NOAA, NCAR, NREL) or in biomedical engineering, materials technology, energy or academia as a laser applications engineer, systems analyst, lab technician, researcher or science educator

 

Jobs for physicists and astronomers are expected to grow 14% from 2016 to 2026, faster than average for all jobs

(U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)

Academic Plan & Requirements

To earn the minor, students must complete a minimum of 25 credit hours in physics courses, including a total of 9 upper-division credit hours. The minor is open to all undergraduate students at CU Boulder, regardless of college or school.

Required course topics include:

  • General Physics 
  • Experimental Physics
  • Foundations of Modern Physics
  • Classical Mechanics and Mathematical Methods

Community & Involvement

Physics majors have many opportunities to network with peers and faculty, further their studies, and get the most out of their undergraduate experience.

Be inspired.

The physics department has an extensive list of alumni who have worked in a variety of fields across the globe.

Some alumni of the program include:

(BS'55)
Professor emeritus of theoretical math and physics at CU Boulder. His work is the basis for general relativistic correction being properly included in the Global Positioning System.

Stephen Halley White

(BS'63)
Emeritus professor of physiology and biophysics at the University of California, Irvine.

(BS'00)
Assistant professor in genetics and in bioengineering at Stanford University.

Taryn Elliott

(BS'07) 
An attorney specializing in intellectual property law and complex commercial litigation with the Polsinelli law firm in Denver.

Hosea Rosenberg

(BS'97) 
Owner of Blackbelly restaurant in Boulder.

Joe Romig

(BS'63; PhD Astrogeophysics '75)
Founder of the consulting firm Ponderosa Associates, a two-time All-American selection and runner-up for the Heisman Trophy when he played football at CU, and a Rhodes Scholar. He also worked in the advanced planetary program section of Martin Marietta (now Lockheed Martin) and contributed to NASA’s Voyager missions.

Thomas Bliska

(BA'77)
General partner at Crosslink Capital in San Francisco. As an investment analyst and later as a portfolio manager, Bliska recognized the early signs of global warming and environmental degradation, anticipating the resulting challenges to the global economy.

News & Stories

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