Our undergraduate programs are designed to prepare students for a wide range of careers and graduate work. In addition to in-class coursework, student participation in faculty research is an important component of the student experience that prepares students for independent work in graduate school or industry. Recent graduates have attended graduate school in the sciences at universities including the University of Chicago, Northwestern University, the University of Illinois, and the University of Arizona.

The Standard Physics concentration provides a curriculum based in the traditional areas of theoretical and experimental physics, while the Computational Physics concentration provides a hands-on curriculum in computational and experimental physics with an emphasis on applications in modern applied physics. Both concentrations prepare students for graduate study, either in physics or in applied sciences such as optics, photonics, scientific computing, engineering or computer science.

The department has newly implemented the Interdisciplinary Physics concentration, intended for students who wish to apply their scientific training in a career outside of physics. This concentration allows students to combine a core physics curriculum with a minor from another field. Possible minors include Journalism or Technical Writing for students interested in a career in science writing, Economics for students interested in business, or Biological Sciences for students interested in biophysics.

The physics department also offers a course of study designed to provide the students with the scientific basis for careers in engineering. This Pre-Engineering program is an important component of the physics department curriculum. The courses offered enable the students to compete successfully in engineering or engineering related fields at other institutions. In recent years students have transferred to engineering programs at the University of Illinois, the University of Michigan, and Notre Dame University.

In conjunction with the School of Education, the department offers the Teacher of Physics: Secondary Level concentration that leads to State of Illinois certification in the teaching of physics for grades 6 through 12. Based on a core of physics, chemistry and calculus, the program can be tailored to fit the interests of the prospective teacher. There are opportunities for junior- and senior-level students in this program to work as undergraduate teaching assistants in the department. Furthermore, students have the opportunity to work with the Illinois State Physics Project, which is one of the oldest physics teacher alliances in the country.

Interested students can apply online; further admission information can also be obtained from University Admissions.

Students interested in majoring in physics, applied computational physics or pre-engineering should enroll in Physics 170 (University Physics I) and Mathematics 160 (Calculus for Mathematics and Science Majors I) in the Autumn quarter of their first year, provided they are adequately prepared in mathematics. The sequences of Physics 170, 171 and 172 and Mathematics 160, 161, and 162 are prerequisites to Physics 270, Physics 300 and 301, and Physics 370, which should be taken in the sophomore year together with Mathematics 260 and 261.

It is recommended that student interested in the standard concentration or pre-engineering also take the chemistry sequence (111, 113, 115) in their first year.

Because of the predominance of physics, mathematics, and chemistry sequences in the freshman and sophomore years, it is crucial that Physics and Pre-Engineering majors be advised by faculty in the physics department as they enter DePaul. Appointments for advising can be made by contacting the department office at (773) 325-7330.

The Physics Department offers three minors, each requiring 24 credit hours.

Students may complete a Physics minor by completing either PHY 150, 151, and 152 (General Physics I–III) or PHY 170, 171, and 172 (University Physics I–III), plus three additional physics courses.

Students may complete an Electronics minor by completing PHY 110 (Basic Electronics), PHY 231 (Linear Electric Circuits), PHY 232 (Introduction to Digital Electronics), and three additional physics courses.

Students may complete a Computational Physics minor by completing PHY 170, 171, 172, and 270 (University Physics I–IV), plus PHY 300 and 301 (Methods of Computational and Theoretical Physics I–II).

College juniors and seniors with a minimum GPA 3.0/4.0 who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents may apply for the Science and Engineering Research Semester at Argonne. This is an excellent way to augment a student's education. The program pays $220 per week plus housing and travel. For more details write to: Science and Engineering Research Semester, Division of Educational Programs, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, IL 60439-4845 and contact the physics department chair.