More than just the study of falling fruit.

When you see an apple falling from the tree, does it make you ponder the wonders of science or do you just feel guilty about not eating any fruit today? For Isaac Newton, it was definitely the former (he was renown for his fruit consumption).

The Physics department at Weber State University is a great place to learn exactly why the apple falls the way it does (hint: it starts with a G). You’ll also learn about astronomy, thermodynamics, electromagnetism, optics, and other brain-boggling fields. Then, in the end, you’ll learn that (SPOILER ALERT) all these seemingly disparate fields are closely related to each other! Wow!

Indoor star gazing.

The best part about the Physics department? They have their own planetarium! (The Ott Planetarium is where the astronomy classes are taught, but they also offer free star shows to the public and make it available for reservations. More about the planetarium here.) Best classroom ever? Yep. So if you’re curious about the physical world around you, get your celestial body into a class and open your mind up to some really nerdy stuff (in a cool way).

5 Clues You Might Be A Physics Major:

1)   Raising kids taught you that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.
2)   You spend your days trying to conserve energy and power.
3)   You constantly refer to your car as an “object in motion.”
4)   You understand that string theory has nothing to do with clothes.
5)   To you, we are all nothing more than beautifully choreographed dances of electrons and protons, skirting our way through the universe on heavenly beds of mathematics, as surely as Europa orbits Jupiter and ?F_a,b = –?F_a,b .

Degrees / Programs Available:

Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts (BS or BA)

• Physics
• Applied Physics
• Physics Teaching
• Physical Science Composite Teaching

Minor

• Physics
• Physics Teaching

Career Opportunities:

Physics majors can be accepted into industrial and technological fields such as aerospace, electronics, and software design. Plus, starting salaries range from $40,000 to $65,000, depending on the position.

Advising / Contact:

1) For the Physics Major/Minor or the Applied Physics Major

• Advisor:  Dr. Brad Carroll, department chair
• Contact info:  Room SL 202C, phone (801) 626–7921, e–mail: bcarroll@weber.edu

2) For the Physics Teaching Major/Minor or the Physical Science Composite Teaching Major

• Advisor:  Dr. Adam Johnston
• Contact info:  Room SL 207, phone (801) 626–7711, e–mail: ajohnston@weber.edu

For more information, visit the Physics Department website.