Put Scientific Theory into Practice, Gain Career Skills

At UM-Flint, our innovative physics classrooms let you apply theoretical instruction to hands-on lab learning within minutes. We also cap our introductory courses at 32 students, allowing for more individualized attention and support from our faculty.

As the most fundamental science, applied and engineering physics bridges a number of different scientific disciplines and career fields. Even if you don’t plan a career in applied and engineering physics, our courses in physics, astronomy, scientific inquiry, and integrated science education will prepare you for a career in fields that incorporate these subjects – fields like biology, chemistry, computer science, digital manufacturing, education, and health sciences, among others.

Physics emphasizes critical thinking followed by experiments. As an applied and engineering physics major, you learn skills that employers value across a wide range of careers. Some of them include:

Over the last two decades, more than two-thirds of UM-Flint applied and engineering physics graduates have gone on to doctoral programs at schools like UC-Berkeley, Yale, and Texas A&M. The other third obtained professional positions in the science and engineering fields.

Why UM-Flint?

The quality of our faculty is the most important reason to study physics at UM-Flint. They’re scholars with expertise in areas such as applied physics, theoretical physics, and astronomy who are engaged in research. But they’re here because they love teaching and helping students succeed.

Here are a few other reasons you should study applied and engineering physics at UM-Flint:

• Almost all of our graduates give presentations at a local research conference, and many present at regional and national conferences of the American Physical Society.
• You can gain valuable paid experience as a supplemental instructor for physics courses.
• The Society of Physics Students club gives you the opportunity to meet students with similar interests, learn about research on campus, and take trips to places like the Argonne National Lab in Chicago.
• You can study cutting-edge ideas by joining a faculty member’s research group.
• Our students regularly travel to Conferences for Undergraduate Women in Physics around the country.
• Our monthly Physics Lunches bring together faculty, students, and a guest speaker to talk about research and other topics.
• In a paid or volunteer role, you can develop your research skills while working side-by-side with faculty on state-of-the-art research in the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program or its summer counterpart, the Summer Undergraduate Research Experience, which offers full- and half-time positions.
• By volunteering at UM-Flint’s High School Physics Competition, you can help introduce high school students to physics principles and experimentation.
• Local science initiatives like the Flint Regional Science & Engineering Fair, UM-Flint’s Super Science Friday, and the UM-Flint GEMS summer camp would welcome your volunteer help.
• Our direct high school outreach and annual AstroNite event provide great opportunities for community engagement.