Physics and Astronomy Department
Hagen Hall 307, (218) 477-2141
Chair: Linda Winkler
Faculty: Leland Aldridge, Matthew Craig, Steve Lindaas, Ananda Shastri, Linda Winkler
Planetarium Director: Sara Schultz

The Department of Physics and Astronomy offers three degrees: a Bachelor’s degree in Physics, Bachelor’s degree in Physics Education, and a Bachelor's degree in Physics Engineering. The Bachelor’s degree in Physics may be further enhanced with an emphasis in astrophysics, emphasis in business, or an emphasis in medical physics. In addition, the department supports a minor in physics, a minor in medical physics and a minor in astronomy. Students interested in engineering may also pursue a dual degree in physics and engineering. 

Bachelor's Degree in Physics
The physics major prepares students for a wide variety of careers from science and engineering to finance and healthcare. Our students develop a skill set that is extremely valuable in a wide variety of jobs. The physics major also prepares students for further study in a graduate or professional school.

The major strengths of the physics program include:

• student-centered focus on teaching & learning;
• an emphasis on active learning using computers as tools for data collection, analysis, computation & modeling;
• opportunities for undergraduate research;
• involvement of students in outreach program and an award winning physics club.

The sequential nature of the physics curriculum, and the necessity to coordinate physics courses with courses taken in other departments make it imperative that a student considering a major or minor in physics or astronomy consult a member of the Department of Physics and Astronomy early in their career.

Bachelor's Degree in Physics-Emphasis in Astrophysics
This program requires completion of a minimum of 120 credits and prepares the student to work with large data sets as well as possible graduate work in astrophysics. Majors with an astrophysics emphasis take core physics courses and several advanced astrophysics courses in both observational technique and theory which include extensive use of computing. Additional career options using these skills include GIS, remote sensing, and medical image processing.

Bachelor's Degree in Physics-Emphasis in Business
This program requires completion of a minimum of 120 credits and prepares the physics student for a career in industry and who are interested in using their technical backgrounds in an entrepreneurial setting. In addition to the core physics courses, students in this emphasis take several business courses required for the certificate in entrepreneurship from the Paseka School of Business.

Bachelor's Degree in Physics-Emphasis in Medical Physics
This program requires completion of a minimum of 120 credits and is a program for students interested in medical physics, a branch of applied physics that utilizes physics concepts and methods in the diagnosis and treatment of human disease to improve human health. The emphasis is preparation for graduate work and careers in radiation oncology, applied medical physics, and medical imaging quality control. A medical physics emphasis also serves students interested in biophysics, bioengineering and the technological aspects of biotechnology. In addition to the core physics courses, students in this emphasis take several chemistry and biology courses as well as specialized electives.

Bachelor’s Degree in Physics Education
This degree prepares the student to be certified to teach high-school physics in Minnesota. The program combines physics courses for the major with education courses needed for licensure. A student with this degree is strongly encouraged to also take additional courses in biology and geosciences to obtain the general science licensure in grades 5-8.

Bachelor's Degree in Engineering Physics
This degree is designed for students who are curious about and want an applied understanding of how the natural world works. The major develops mathematical, modeling, computational, and lab skills applicable to a wide variety of engineering related careers. The major is also good preparation for graduate school in engineering and related fields.

Engineering/Physics Dual Degree
Students have the option of obtaining a dual degree in physics (from MSUM) and engineering by completing the engineering curriculum at either North Dakota State University (NDSU) or University of North Dakota (UND). The student completes the core physics and liberal arts and sciences curriculum requirements in their first three years at MSUM. The student then completes a final two years at the second university completing coursework in their chosen engineering field. It is expected students in the dual degree program will obtain both a physics and engineering degree in five years. The dual degree advisor will work with individual students to ensure requirements are met for both programs.

Information on the engineering dual degree can be found HERE.

Minor in Astronomy

The minor in astronomy is designed for students who have an interest in observational astronomy and earth sciences. A student pursuing a minor in astronomy must have a solid mathematical foundation in algebra and trigonometry.

Minor in Physics
This minor is designed for the student who wants to have a strong resume in physical science. Students pursuing a closely allied major such as mathematics, chemistry, or computer science often add this minor. A student pursuing a physics minor must have a solid mathematical foundation in algebra, trigonometry, and calculus.

Minor in Medical Physics
The minor in medical physics is a program designed for students in biosciences and chemistry related fields, who are looking for additional expertise in a branch of applied physics that utilizes physics concepts and methods in the diagnosis, treatment and improvement of human health. A student pursuing a minor in medical physics must have a solid mathematical foundation in algebra, trigonometry and calculus.