The appeal of contributing to one of the core sciences is evident in many of the passionate students who join the Physics department every year. With an emphasis on working from the ground up, the curriculum leaves students in a good place to pursue research immediately after graduating. One can find enthusiasts working hard at their Study Oriented Projects, with dreams of PhDs in their minds. The Physics Department boasts many experienced professors in various fields, of which condensed matter and astrophysics prove to be prominent. The dual degree programs allow even for those who don’t find a passion for the subject to shift their primary focus to the engineering field.

WHAT PHYSICISTS DO

Physicists study the workings of everything ranging from nanoparticles to astronomical bodies. Theory is just one aspect of a physicist’s job, with experimentation also playing a key role. Their rigorous theoretical background and experience handling large data sets make physicists adept at occupations ranging from design engineering to data science. The frontiers of the subject are ever changing, with condensed matter, astronomy, and biophysics just a few fields currently being investigated.

WHAT YOU STUDY AT BITS TO BECOME ONE

The course structure followed in BITS introduces the student to a wide array of subfields. Foundational physics courses begin in the second year, with students being taught Classical Mechanics, Electromagnetic Theory, Optics, Quantum Mechanics, and Mathematical Methods. Apart from these cardinal courses, foundations are fortified through extensive lab work and courses in Statistical Mechanics and Atomic and Molecular Physics. Insight can be gained into up and coming fields like nuclear and solid-state physics through disciplinary electives. Students can also explore interdisciplinary branches through courses in Quantum Computation and Biophysics, or can choose their own area of research by opting for a Study Oriented Project.

WHAT YOU CAN DO AFTER GRADUATING

Many students follow up their undergraduate degree with a doctorate, as a PhD is widely seen as the minimum criterion to hold the post of a professor or break into research. For those sitting for placements, a dual in electrical and electronics engineering gives students a considerable edge in terms of research and job opportunities. Their background in data analysis also makes physicists extremely valuable in sectors such as finance and data science. With physicists increasingly reliant on computers to process and visualize data, a dual in computer science is a common choice.