Physics is a demanding but rewarding major that leads to an exciting array of career opportunities, as well as further graduate study.
Our program prepares you with the necessary technical knowledge and skills, intellectual curiosity, and ethical awareness to become a life-long learner. You will learn to demonstrate understanding and application of fundamental physical laws and concepts, communicate scientific work effectively in writing and speaking, use computers for computation and simulation, and participate in society as a scientifically literate person.
As a Physics major, you may be eligible to pursue pathways to graduate programs in the School of Education.
Department Chair
For more information about admission to this and other acclaimed undergraduate programs at St. John’s University, please visit Undergraduate Admission.
The major requires 41 credits including:
You will also complete three elective credits approved by the department.
As a Physics major, you will also complete the following Mathematics and Computer Science courses:
Your career in physics will allow you to study how various forms of matter and energy interact. For example, theoretical physicists study the nature of time or the origin of the universe. Other professionals design and perform experiments with sophisticated equipment such as particle accelerators, electron microscopes, and lasers.
If you wish to pursue a career in research or academia, you will need to earn a Ph.D. However, there are positions in the federal government that typically require only a bachelor’s degree in physics.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, overall employment of physicists is projected to grow 9 percent from 2018 to 2028, faster than the average for all occupations. This projected employment growth includes the areas of scientific research and development services, educational services, and healthcare and social assistance industries.
Explore opportunities at St. John's with our pathway generator.
The Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry provides you with a comprehensive curriculum that prepares you for graduate school or a career in health, or the biotechnology, pharmaceutical, or cosmetic industries.
The program gives students a thorough understanding of the scientific theory and advanced laboratory research techniques vital to success in pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. Students also receive valuable internship experience in this revolutionary field.
Biologists study living organisms and their relationship to the environment.
The Department of Biological Sciences offers an intensive, accelerated combined degree program leading to both the B.S. and M.S. degrees in five years of full-time study.
The Ph.D. program in Biology at St. John’s delivers comprehensive knowledge of the biological sciences, with an emphasis on cell and molecular biology.
The Master of Science (M.S.) program in Biology at St. John’s delivers comprehensive knowledge of biological sciences, with an emphasis on cell and molecular biology.
St. John’s University admits selected academically talented high school seniors as biology majors and, simultaneously, to candidacy for admission to the professional Doctor of Optometry (O.D.) program at SUNY College of Optometry. Admission to this accelerated program may allow you to graduate with both B.S. and O.D. degrees in only seven years, rather than the usual eight.
Podiatry is a profession dedicated to the complete care of the feet. Most Doctors of Podiatry, or podiatrists, treat many types of foot problems, but some specialize in foot surgery or other treatments for congenital defects, diseases and injuries of the bones and joints of the foot. A podiatrist can also specialize in podopediatrics (foot ailments of children) or in podogeriatrics (foot ailments of the elderly). Like other health professionals, podiatrists are responsible for referring patients to other practitioners (usually physicians) when foot problems are symptoms of other health disorders, such as diabetes and heart disease.
The Bachelor of Science degree in Biomedical Sciences provides an interdisciplinary academic program of study that fosters competencies in areas related to biomedical sciences, health sciences, as well as core competencies in the liberal arts and sciences and prepares students for health professions and graduate programs.
As a Chemistry major, you will graduate with a wide array of career possibilities in the chemical, environmental, health, and pharmaceutical industries.
The Department of Chemistry offers an intensive, accelerated, combined degree program leading to both the Bachelor of Science (B.S.) and the Master of Science (M.S.) degrees in five years of full time study.
The widely-respected Master of Science (M.S.) program in Chemistry at St. John’s will prepare you for a career in industry, education, government laboratories, or private research, or to pursue a doctoral degree in the field.
The M.S. in Computational Biology and Biostatistics at St. John’s University answers a growing demand for data analysts, data curators, database developers, statisticians, mathematical modelers, bioinformaticians, and software developers with training in both computer science and biology.
Develop the ability to analyze big data sets preparing you for careers helping industries use environmentally sustainable processes, manufacture safer products, and better manage their corporate responsibility with the M.S. Environmental OMICS program at St. John’s University
Explore minors for undergraduate students in Environmental Studies or Environmental Education from St. John's University.
Sustainability is a growing field in both the public and private sectors. The Master of Arts in Environmental Sustainability and Decision Making at St. John’s will prepare you for opportunities in a rapidly evolving global community that spans the sciences, social sciences, and humanities.
The interdisciplinary Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Environmental Sustainability and Decision-Making integrates coursework from across the sciences, humanities, and social sciences, among others to prepare you for opportunities in a rapidly evolving global community.
Physical Science is a flexible major that can include physics, chemistry, and mathematics. It is a desirable path for pre-medical and other pre-health professional studies. Very often, this is taken as a second major along with a major in Biology.
The combined Bachelor of Science (B.S.) and Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) in Physics and Business Administration offers highly-motivated students the opportunity to complete both undergraduate and graduate degrees in five years of full-time study.
The Department of Physics at St. John's University offers three Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degrees in Physics, Mathematical Physics, and Physical Science, as well as a minor in Physics.
The Office of Student Financial Services is committed to providing students and their families with the information they need to navigate and understand the financial aid and payment process.
St. John’s offers a free online application for all 100+ undergraduate programs, and graduate applications carry a low cost for most programs.