The Physics department at MIT is world renowned for both its undergraduate and graduate education. In a recent report, the Physics PhD program at MIT was ranked second in the nation by US News and World Report. A unique feature of MIT's physics program is that renowned professors will often teach introductory level courses. For example, famed cosmologist Alan H. Guth '68 taught 8.01, the introductory freshman physics course.
Physics majors have a wide variety of job opportunities available after graduation.
Some graduates pursue openings available in research laboratories, while others choose to apply their extensive mathematical background to financial analyst positions. The undergraduate curriculum in physics also offers excellent preparation for graduate work in a variety of different professional fields such as medicine, law, and management. Approximately 70 percent of physics majors continue their education after graduation. A physics major at MIT requires 138 units to be completed beyond the graduate institute requirements. UROPs are definitely available for freshmen and sophomores.