What do biomolecular modeling, nanotube research, the Guinness World Record, and cutting edge fabrication have in common? They are all a part of the applied physics program at Michigan Tech! Our applied physics degree program is one of the few that offers an undergraduate minor in astrophysics or a unique focus on atmospheric physics or biomolecular modeling and bioinformatics. You can even earn a minor in nanotechnology! Researching anything from particle clustering in clouds to weather trends and record statistics, Michigan Tech’s applied physics students can do it all, which is why top national laboratories keep recruiting our applied physics students every year.
And before you get ready to plunge into your applied physics career, here are a few things you should know about the program…
- Strong computational quantum, astrophysics and materials physics groups with research opportunities are available for undergraduates.
- Michigan Tech is one of the few schools to offer an undergraduate minor in astrophysics.
- Research is a requirement for all senior students; research opportunities are available as early as the summer after your freshman year.
- Summer research awards ($3,500 for 10 weeks) are available for freshmen, sophomores and juniors.
- Because of work conducted at the Pierre Auger Cosmic Ray Observatory, the physics department is ranked #1 in research in our College of Sciences and Arts.
- Over a century after the fact, the Guinness World Records has recognized the entire Michigan Tech 1901 physics faculty for constructing the world's longest pendulum — 4,440 feet!
- You’ll have access to the state-of-the-art atmospheric physics laboratories for the study of ice nucleation in clouds and turbulence.
And as an applied physics major, not only are your labs technologically advanced, but Fisher Hall, where physics majors spend the vast majority of their academic career, just received a $2.8 million refurbishment. Fisher Hall now has a brand new look and feel with completely modernized classrooms and lecture halls.
The Physics Learning Center has also been renovated, and is a great place to get extra help with class work or to be employed as a coach.
