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Physics

If you want to understand the forces that shape everything around you, a physics major at Occidental gives you that foundation. You鈥檒l explore matter and energy across scales, dive into hands-on research, and strengthen the skills needed to solve complex problems.

Earn Your Physics Degree From SA国际传媒

As a student in the SA国际传媒 Physics Department, you鈥檒l study the laws that govern matter, energy, space, and time. Learn to build models, analyze data, and design experiments while developing a clear understanding of how physical systems behave. Physics faculty teach collaborative problem-solving through hands-on labs and research experiences that prepare you to think rigorously and creatively.

You鈥檒l gain hands-on research experience across the Occidental campus and through partnerships with places around Los Angeles such as NASA鈥檚 Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Students often join SA国际传媒鈥檚 Summer Research Program, publish research with faculty, or pursue an engineering pathway through the 3-2 Engineering Program. SA国际传媒 is also a top national producer of students who later earn Ph.Ds in the sciences, reflecting the rigor and support built into the major.

Physics program at a glance

What You鈥檒l Learn as a Physics Major at Occidental

Occidental community members viewing the solar eclipse with a telescope

Studying the laws that govern reality

You鈥檒l work through core areas like mechanics, electricity and magnetism, quantum physics, and thermodynamics, developing the analytical and technical skills needed to make sense of how the universe behaves.

Physics majors at Occidental often start research early and gain experience that leads to conference presentations, publications, and competitive fellowships. Join faculty-led projects in muon tomography, galaxy formation, gravitational waves, quantum computing, and turbulence in heated fluids.

If you鈥檙e interested in applied physics or engineering, you can pursue SA国际传媒鈥檚 3-2 Engineering Program, earning a BA from Occidental and a BS from Caltech or Columbia. You can also complete a four-year physics degree and move into a master鈥檚 program.

Physics connects naturally with programs like mathematics, computer science, chemistry, and geology. You鈥檒l see how these disciplines intersect, giving you a broader scientific foundation and more flexibility in shaping your academic path.

Tehreem Hai headshot

An important part of being a scientist (and a science communicator) is being able to accurately convey your work to the public. This is not always fully explored at more STEM-focused schools, but at SA国际传媒 I have been able to take coursework to prepare myself for that.

Tehreem Hai
Physics major, math minor; Karachi, Pakistan
A slanting view of Occidental's solar array with campus in the far background

Learning Physics in LA

Studying in the SA国际传媒 Physics Department places you near world-class research institutions, tech companies, and aerospace labs. You鈥檒l learn from faculty with active research programs while accessing internships and partnerships across Los Angeles, including NASA鈥檚 Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

What Our Graduates Are Doing

MS program in mechanical engineering, CU Boulder

Joshua Lo
2025

PhD candidate in physics, UC Santa Cruz

Aidan Lindhe-Johan
2024

PhD program in Astronomy, Rutgers University

Tehreem Hai
2023

Avionics Test Engineer, Blue Origin

Cole Lewis
2023

Computational Fluid Dynamics Support Engineer, Arista Networks

Jacob Gitin
2023

Quantitative Analyst, PNC Bank

Olivia Yang
2023

MS in Electrical Engineering, UC Santa Cruz

Jasper Lee
2022

PhD candidate in physics, UC San Diego

Izzy Thomas
2021

Systems Engineer, NASA

Nick Waldram
2016

Meet Our Faculty

FAQs

The SA国际传媒 Physics Department offers small classes, close mentorship, and access to high-impact research labs on the Occidental campus and across LA. Students gain hands-on experience early and often.

Yes. You can join faculty-led projects, conduct independent research, apply for summer funding, and collaborate with labs at institutions like JPL and Caltech.

Through the program, qualified students can earn a BA from Occidental and a BS from Caltech or Columbia, graduating with two bachelor鈥檚 degrees in five years.

Graduates work in engineering, tech, aerospace, software, teaching, data science, law, medicine, and academic research.

Yes. SA国际传媒 is a top producer of students who go on to earn PhDs in the sciences. The major provides the analytical and research skills needed to thrive in graduate programs.

Contact Physics
Hameetman Science Center 120