Why Physics at SDSU?

Physics is the foundation of life and everything in the universe. In addition to learning fundamental principles, our students acquire extensive programming skills as well as expertise in math, modeling and data analysis. We offer a variety of specialized electives in quantum nano-materials, biological physics, astrophysics and more.

Earning a degree in physics opens doors into career options as diverse as the field itself: research and development; management or administration in industrial laboratories or government agencies; secondary teaching; technical sales; electronic design; and laser instrument research. Graduates can expect roles such as data scientist, software developer, sound engineer, equipment technician, theorist and instructor, just to name a few.

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Enrollment: Spring 2024

69
Bachelor's

30
Master's

34
Degrees Awarded: 2023-2024

19
Bachelor's

15
Master's

Rigorous Academics

Matt Anderson stands behind a Learning Glass transparent white board with physics equations written on it

Individualized Instruction

Small class sizes and SDSU inventions like Learning Glass facilitate understanding

Physics students explain their research projects as a panel at Explore SDSU

Research Required

Students at all levels get hands-on experience on research projects

Student places a sample on a device while another student provides instruction

Interdisciplinary Collaborations

Working alongside engineers, chemists, and biologists is common in courses

Innovating Every Day

Lyuba Kuznetsova readies a quantum material for testing with lasers

Quantum Materials

How does the arrangement of atoms within a material change its desirable properties? We investigate

Computational Physics

Supercomputers and sophisticated models help answer questions about the universe at small and large scales

Matt Anderson with lasers in dark

Optics

We reflect lasers through mirrors and lenses to test theories and create novel technologies

Person in lab coat sets up laser alignment of medical device

Medical Physics

Physicists are at the forefront of new radiation therapy and magnetic imaging techniques

Active Aztec Community

A handful of people gather around a tent to do physics demos
Trying to touch a plastic frog, an attendee realizes it is just a reflection

Women in Physics

Lead educational demonstrations at local schools and campus events - all gender identities welcome!

Society of Physics Students hang out in a classroom
Ten students stand outside the physics building with professor Mauro Tambasco

Society of Physics Students

Hang out during study sessions, game nights and networking events

Announcements

Matt Anderson Surpasses 150K YouTube Subscribers

Congratulations to physics professor Matt Anderson on surpassing 150,000 subscribers and 13 million views on his YouTube channel. He unboxed his silver creator award from […]

Thomas B. Day Awards for Excellence in Physics

Join the Department of Physics and the College of Sciences community for the announcement of the inaugural honorees of the Thomas B. Day Awards for Excellence in Physics, named for the former president of San Diego State University.