Newsletter of the Department of Physics, University of Arkansas

Why Would Journalists, Businesspeople, or Musicians Want a Degree in Physics?

In our high-tech, science-oriented society, nearly every profession can use individuals with a strong science background. Examples include law (science in the courtroom, environmental law, patents), business (high-tech firms, business statistics), science education, journalism (science reporting, energy and environment news), creative writing (science fiction), communication (technical writing, communications industry), history (history of science and technology), philosophy (philosophy of science), music (acoustics, instrument design, electronic music), and such science-related fields as medicine, anthropology and sociology.

The physics B.A. program provides a broad background in the physics and technology of today and tomorrow, for students headed toward careers in which physics can play a significant role. Training in physics and mathematics is thought by professionals in many fields to provide a unique background whose usefulness transcends the boundaries of the professional disciplines. In our increasingly technological society, scientific literacy is ever more important for the successful employee. Physics, the most fundamental science, gives students the satisfaction of studying the deepest principles of the universe while preparing them for a wide range of practical employment.

The program is flexible, to allow students plenty of time for outside electives and for fulfilling the professional requirements in medicine, business, law, journalism and other fields while completing the B.A. Degree in physics. It is designed to fulfill the needs of pre-professional students for science literacy, societal topics, and professional prerequisites.

The program includes 24 semester-hours in physics plus four math courses. It begins with the algebra-based College Physics course, followed by a course in the fascinating ideas of modern physics, and selections chosen, by the student, from a variety of physics and astronomy courses including hands-on modules in electronics, the human implications of physics, the application of physics to technologically important devices, optics, observational astronomy, the solar system, stellar astronomy, and others. The program encourages students to branch out into a major interest area outside of physics by requiring a 9 semester-hour "special emphasis area" of study at the 3000-level (junior level) or above in a single subject outside of physics. The B.A. Degree in physics differs significantly from the B.S. Degree, in that the B.A. program is algebra-based and requires 24 hours of physics and 12 hours of math beginning with algebra, while the B.S. program is calculus-based requiring 38 hours of physics and 21 hours of math beginning with calculus.*

More Information on the New Bachelor of Arts Degree

An Example: A Typical 4-Year Program Leading to the Bachelor of Arts in Physics, For Students Entering a Career in Business