The department also offers designated minors in physics, in addition to a regular minor . Designated minors give a background adequate for graduate study in physics. They require a greater number of courses at a higher level than a regular minor, and they should be particularly attractive to majors in engineering and science who desire an enriched science background. Each of these must have a designated area of concentration, chosen from classical mechanics, computational physics, electromagnetics, general physics, geophysics, materials, optics, and quantum mechanics. The undergraduate students here frequently take summer of co-op work at major research laboratories across the nation, both for experience and for income.
Some financial aid is also available, both as scholarships and for work in the department.
The department's bachelor's degree recipients generally follow the national trends in their career moves. Some go on to graduate study in physics, engineering, and other fields, including cross-disciplinary ones. Others take employment in industry, the military, education, or government. When asked to rate the specific skills they used in their current positions, bachelor's degree recipients nationwide gave the highest ratings to advanced computer skills, oral and written communication, problem solving, management, knowledge of sophisticated lab equipment, and advanced mathematics, in addition to knowledge of physics.