Degree Options
The Physics B.S. Major
The Physics Department offers five options of study, each leading to a B.S. degree. Each option includes extensive study in physics, mathematics, and other science and technology areas as well as courses in the arts, humanities, and the social sciences, helping to provide you with one of the most well-rounded science educations available.
General Physics Option helps you prepare for employment opportunities or for graduate studies leading to a master's or doctoral degree.
Electronics Option includes upper-level courses in electrical engineering and computer science and engineering for employment or graduate work in applied physics, engineering, electronics, and computer engineering.
Medical Physics Option includes courses in physiology, molecular biology, organic chemistry, biomedical instrumentation, and bioengineering.
Other Information
Requirements for Admission into the Eberly College of Science
Minor in Physics
The Department of Physics offers two minor programs for undergraduate students. The Physics minor offers introductory and upper-level physics coursework. The Quantum Information Sciences and Engineering minor offers introductory physics coursework and upper-level coursework focusing on cutting edge quantum computing technology.
The Quantum Information Science and Engineering minor is now available to all Penn State undergraduates! The Quantum Information Science and Engineering minor provides the background necessary to understand general issues in quantum information science and engineering. Program information is found on the Undergraduate Bulletin website.
Required coursework:
MATH 220 (GQ) Matrices
PHYS 211 (GN) General Physics: Mechanics
PHYS 212 (GN) General Physics: Electricity and Magnetism
PHYS 214 (GN) General Physics: Wave Motion and Quantum Physics
PHYS/EE/ESC 337 Introduction to Quantum Information Science and Engineering
Additional courses (select 6 credits from the following):
CMPSC 466 Introduction to Quantum Computation
EE/CMPEN 415 Computing with Commercial Quantum Computers
PHYS/EE/ESC 437 Physical Implementation of Qubits
All courses require a grade of C or better.
Enrollment instructions for the QISEN minor vary based on the admission year of students. Students admitted to PSU in fall 2025 and later can self-enroll in the minor by navigating to Lionpath -> Degree Planning and Progress -> Update Academics -> Add minor. Students admitted to PSU prior to fall 2025 need to request enrollment in the minor by completing this web form: Enroll in the Quantum Information Sciences Minor QISEN_UMNR – Fill out form. This two tiered enrollment solution is necessary due to constraints imposed by lionpath.