The Bachelor of Science Program in Physics is a flexible multi-track degree program for students interested in professional employment or graduate work in physics or closely related fields, such as astronomy and space science, engineering, nanotechnology, electronics and photonics, materials science, computational science, etc. The program includes 40 semester hours of physics courses. These include a set of core courses (24 semester hours) and additional courses (16 semester hours) from one of five tracks. The track you take depends on your goals. While there are no restrictions, those planning to go to graduate school typically pursue the Professional Track, whereas those desiring research and development careers in industry or government after graduation often choose from one of the other tracks: Optics, Electronics, Computational, and Bio-Physics (see the flowchart). The Bio-Physics track is also increasingly attractive to pre-medical students.

Professional Track - University professors are nearly all Ph.D. graduates. Graduate school follows the BS degree, usually taking about 4-6 years of work, culminating with a dissertation describing original new research. New Ph.Ds often take jobs in postdoctoral positions, doing research under the direction of a professor or senior scientist, or they take jobs in industry working in a research and development group. In time, they gain experience and seniority, eventually landing jobs as professors or group leaders.

Optics Track - A growth area in industry, the optics field will be an important new source of jobs for decades to come. Laser technology and fiber optics are two active areas of research and development related to communications, photonics, optical networks, and control methods. A strong area of research in our department is quantum optics, so there is opportunity for useful interactions here with our faculty.

Electronics Track - Electronics is the base of much of modern technology, from computers to communications to environmental sensors. A graduate of this track can expect to find employment in industry, the military, and other government laboratories in areas like research, design, or development of high-technology instruments and systems, nanotechnology, materials science, etc. This sector has been strengthening over several decades as our society becomes more dependent on high-technology.

Computational Track - Software is the "brains" of high-technology devices and systems, and the most intelligent software relies on physical-mathematical models of the phenomena to be monitored and controlled. A good understanding of physics is your ticket to a good job in areas where control algorithms are an important component, such as automated manufacturing, robotics, simulation, and weapons design. A physicist's ability to do expert problem solving gives them a solid edge on developing prototype software to answer new demands.

Bio-Physics Track - Biophysics and bio-nanophysics is an emerging area of physics that will show strong growth in years to come. Biophysicists do research in areas ranging from the microscopic world of cells to the nanoscale world of proteins and DNA. They bring new tools to the study and manipulation of biological systems, including the detection and characterization of single biomolecules, and they develop sophisticated physical models for understanding these systems. Industrial and academic jobs in this area are on the increase and are expected to have tremendous growth in coming years.

Don't worry if you do not know which track to choose - you don't have to decide until your junior year. There is plenty of time to think things over and talk to people like your academic advisor. The Society of Physics Students (SPS) is another source of good advice. You can expect an invitation to their meetings. In your junior or senior year you can also experience the excitement of frontier research by participating in one of the ongoing undergraduate research projects within our department.

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John Stewart, Assistant Professor of Physics, Department of Physics, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701. Phone: (479) 575-2506. Electronic mail: johns@uark.edu

Or Contact: Gay Stewart, Department of Physics, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701. Phone: (479) 575-2408. Electronic mail: gstewart@uark.edu

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Entering freshmen or entering transfer students simply declare, when registering, their intent to major in the Bachelor of Science in Physics program. Students who are already enrolled in some other major may change that major by contacting: John Stewart, Assistant Professor of Physics, Department of Physics, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701. Phone: (479) 575-2506. Electronic mail: johns@uark.edu. Or Contact: Gay Stewart, Deptartment of Physics, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701. Phone: (479) 575-2408. Electronic mail: gstewart@uark.edu

We care about you! Please ask any physics faculty or staff for advice when you need it. We are happy to help!

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