Physics Program

The physics degree program at University of San Diego instructs students on the scientific study of matter and energy, as well as the testing and formulation of laws that govern the behavior of the matter-energy continuum. Students who graduate the physics degree program may follow a career path in ecology, healthcare, archaeology, and more. Course instruction includes classes in classical and modern physics, electricity and magnetism, thermodynamics, wave properties, nuclear processes, relativity and quantum theory, and more. Get more details below including other California colleges that offer physics program.

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University of San Diego (USD)

5500 Campanile Dr, San Diego, CA

About
The University of San Diego, located in San Diego, California, was established in 1952 as the San Diego College for Women. The current university was established in 1972 through the merger of the San Diego College for Women and the San Diego College for Men and School of Law. These two institutions had shared facilities and campus, but the resulting merger allowed for university status and growth for the school. Since the merger, the school has seen the addition of facilities and significant increase in enrollment. The University of San Diego is  private institution founded upon Catholic principles with financial assistance from the church and private donors. The school is nationally ranked, and provides a quality education and services in order for its students to achieve their goals.


Academics
The University of San Diego offers a large number of majors in order for enrolled students to choose the educational path that will best assist the fulfillment of future plans. Bachelor degree programs typically takes four years to complete and requires the student to take courses for their major and nationally required general education classes. Students may also choose to pursue a minor degree. Minor degrees allow students to obtain extra education in a second area of study, though not quite as intensively as a major, either for personal interest or to augment one's major. Graduate programs have separate requirements for admission, including having earned the necessary prerequisite degree and the necessary GRE or LSAT scores, to be considered for admissions.


Programs offered include:

• Anthropology
• Communications
• History
• Liberal Studies
• Physics

Admissions and Financial Aid
Students interested in enrollment at the University of San Diego must submit an application for enrollment along with transcripts, test scores, recommendations and the admissions essay. The information provided by these documents will be reviewed and a decision rendered regarding entry into a bachelor degree program. Applicants must have completed a high school core curriculum or equivalent to be considered for admission.


Financial aid is available in the form of loans, grants and scholarships. Students in need of financial assistance must complete Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which is used to determine financial need, program eligibility and monetary awards. Students may be randomly selected to provide additional information to ensure the accuracy of the FAFSA prior to the disbursement of funds. Financial aid must be applied for prior to the start of each academic year due to changing financial circumstances of the student and his or her family from year to year.


Athletics
The University of San Diego Toreros participate in a number of intercollegiate athletic programs through the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) through the Great Western Conference. Students participating in intercollegiate athletics will be able to develop useful skills, such as leadership, teamwork and discipline that may be applied to one's personal, professional and academic life. Additionally, the successes and failures associated with the struggle to achieve team goals allows for the development of camaraderie among players. Students may contact the athletic department to obtain tryout dates, times and forms.


Athletic programs at USD:

• Baseball
• Basketball
• Cross Country
• Football
• Golf
• Rowing
• Softball
• Spirit Team
• Swimming and Diving
• Soccer
• Tennis
• Track and Field
• Volleyball

Students Enrolled in the Physics Program

Get more details below regarding enrollment, academics, and school demographics. USD offers a bachelor's degree program in physics.

Students by Gender (2019)

Students by Race (2019)

Source: IPEDS Survey 2012-2020: Data obtained from the US Dept. of Education's Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). Data may vary depending on school and academic year.

Career Options for Graduates

Natural Sciences Managers

Description

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as life sciences, physical sciences, mathematics, statistics, and research and development in these fields.

Career Outlook & Projections ()

According to the BLS, natural sciences managers employment is expected to grow at a rate of 3.3% from 2014 to 2024

Salary & Wages

• San Diego-Carlsbad, CA
  • Total Employment: 1
  • Average Hourly Rate: $81.99
  • Average Annual Salary: $170550

Physicists

Description

Conduct research into physical phenomena, develop theories on the basis of observation and experiments, and devise methods to apply physical laws and theories.

Career Outlook & Projections ()

According to the BLS, physicists employment is expected to grow at a rate of 7.9% from 2014 to 2024

Salary & Wages

• San Diego-Carlsbad, CA
  • Total Employment: 330
  • Average Hourly Rate: $40.90
  • Average Annual Salary: $85080

Physics Teachers, Postsecondary

Description

Teach courses pertaining to the laws of matter and energy. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education

Description

Teach students in one or more subjects, such as English, mathematics, or social studies at the secondary level in public or private schools. May be designated according to subject matter specialty.

Source: Job descriptions, estimated salary and wages, and projected job growth are taken from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).