I had the opportunity to be involved in research activity early on at Goshen College, which gave me a good start on my future engineering career. A liberal arts background has also been valuable in the multi-disciplinary field of medical devices.
Bachelor of Arts
Physics
Major
Learn How the Universe Works, and Build a Future Out of it
Learn the laws of nature and the analytical skills graduate schools and employers want.
As a physics major at Goshen College you’ll explore the inner workings of the universe. From the tiniest particles, to the vastness of space. You build a deep understanding of the laws of nature along with the critical-thinking and analytical skills that are in demand across research, engineering, technology and education.
Is physics at Goshen right for you?
If you want a degree that opens doors and you want proof it does, start with the outcomes. Goshen College ranks #7 in Indiana for the share of graduates who go on to earn doctorates. Physics alumni have gone on to graduate programs at the University of Southern California, University of Colorado at Boulder, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Purdue University, University of Notre Dame and others, a physics degree here prepares you for work as a physicist, research scientist, a medical physicist, a clean-energy specialist, a data scientist, a high school physics teacher or to pave your way to an engineering degree.
A strong culture of mentorship means faculty know you by name and help you through the hard stretches. The program welcomes students of every background, from down the road or around the world, so you can take on a demanding major without doing it alone.
What You’ll Study
The physics major builds a strong foundation in classical and modern physics, with the flexibility to aim toward graduate school, teaching licensure or engineering career pathways. You shape the path with your advisor around where you want to go after graduation.
Certification for secondary education in physics or physical sciences is also available through the Education department. If engineering is your ultimate goal, consider engineering physics major. View the complete program requirements in our catalog.
Physics you can get your hands on
Physics at Goshen College is rooted in hands-on experience. You’ll work on projects that reinforce classroom learning and give you tangible skills in scientific reasoning, lab techniques and technical communication. Recent student projects have included wiring up a Tesla coil, designing and building a vibrating table for active matter research, building and programming a self-balancing e-scooter and using satellite data to analyze water availability.
You can also apply to join the eight-week Maple Scholars summer research program, which pairs you with a faculty member for full-time research. Many students have also done summer Research Experience for Undergraduates projects across the country, sponsored by the National Science Foundation, on topics like micro/nano-fiber manufacturing, material science of forest bioproducts, optical analysis of new photovoltaic materials and low cost construction to replace aging bridges across rural Nebraska.
Nate Pletcher '00
Chief Technology Officer at Precision Neuroscience
Paying for Goshen
Physics students are eligible for a range of merit-based and need-based scholarships, including awards for students pursuing STEM fields. To see your own price after aid, run the net price calculator and talk with a real person in the financial aid office.
Common questions about physics major
The physics degree is your gateway to graduate school. Goshen alumni have entered graduate programs in quantum physics, cosmology, semiconductor physics, biophysics and engineering, to name a few. Others work as a physicist or research scientist, a medical physicist, a clean-energy specialist, a data scientist, a high school physics teacher or in process automation.
You’ll take on special projects that build scientific reasoning, lab techniques, and technical communication, individually or in teams. Recent projects include building electric guitars, studying solar photovoltaic systems and a ping-pong-ball launcher for motion analysis. You can also do full-time faculty-paired research in the eight-week Maple Scholars summer program.
Yes. With 91% of classes under 30 students and a strong culture of mentorship, faculty know you by name and work closely with you through the hard stretches. The program welcomes students of every background, so you can take on a rigorous physics degree with real people in your corner, not on your own.
Start your application at the Goshen College apply page, or request information first if you’d like to talk through fit, careers, or graduate-school plans before committing. You can also schedule a visit to see the physics labs and meet the faculty. Admission to Goshen is the first step into the major.
ProfilesDrew Smoker ’24
Burnsville, North Carolina Major: Physics Why did you choose Goshen? Both my parents and many of my family members attended Goshen. After staying the night as a prospective student, I really found a sense of community among fellow students...
ArticlesSenior Ebtihal Abdelaziz pursues dream summer physics internship at Fermilab
Ebtihal Abdelaziz, a senior mathematics and physics double major from Cairo, Egypt, is helping the world better understand the universe through a dream internship at Fermilab, a particle physics and accelerator laboratory in Chicago.
AlumniMeet some of our recent Maple Scholars alumni
Goshen College was a pioneer in undergraduate research with the launch of the Maple Scholars program in 1998. Meet a few of our recent Maple Scholars alumni and find out what they are doing now.
Manu Bhattarai
Assistant Professor of Physics
Paul Reimer
Professor of Physics
Department Chair
