Department of Physics

Overview

If you like to figure out why things work the way they do, majoring in physics may be your starting point. Physics is the science of matter, motion and energy, and it's the most fundamental of the physical sciences. The laws of physics are basic to understanding all areas of engineering, as well as such diverse fields as astronomy, chemistry, biology and physical therapy.

Why choose Wheeling Jesuit University?

At Wheeling Jesuit, you will take courses in mechanics, electricity and magnetism, optics, thermodynamics, modern physics and quantum mechanics. You will develop your experimental skills in our sequence of seven laboratory courses. The major is offered within the structure of the 450-year tradition of Jesuit higher education. Our liberal arts approach means that you will graduate with oral and written communication skills, greater cultural awareness and a commitment to service prized by employers in the science fields.

Our Physics program provides you with a number of options:

• Medical Physics
  The Wheeling Jesuit physics department partners with the Urologic Research Institute at Wheeling Hospital to offer our students a concentration in medical physics. We are one of only 10 physics departments in the country to offer this concentration to undergraduates.
  
• Physics Teacher
  If you're interested in teaching physics, you can become a certified physics or physical science teacher through a cooperative program with Wheeling Jesuit's professional education program.
  
• Graduate Education Preparation
  If you're interested in pursuing an advanced degree, our program will prepare you for graduate studies in physics and engineering. Our students have gone on to graduate programs in physics, astrophysics, electrical engineering, environmental engineering, biomedical engineering and biomechanical engineering.