BSc in Physics - Applied Physics in Seattle United States | University of Washington

Our Bachelor of Science in Physics stands among the nation's largest programs, conferring approximately 175 undergraduate degrees each year. Graduates pursue diverse career trajectories, including advanced studies in physics and related STEM fields, teaching positions across all educational levels, and roles in industries that prize strong analytical, computational, and problem-solving abilities.

The University of Washington Physics Department provides four specialized B.S. degree tracks to accommodate different academic interests and professional objectives: Comprehensive, Applied Physics, Biological Physics, and Teaching Physics. While students select a track when declaring their major, they retain flexibility to modify their choice until graduation application.

The Applied Physics concentration prepares undergraduates for technical careers immediately after earning their bachelor's degree. This popular option particularly suits students who contemplated engineering but prefer a more comprehensive physics foundation before entering the workforce. With fewer mandatory courses and potentially less rigorous mathematical demands than other tracks, it enables students to expand their expertise in fields like climate science, data analytics, electrical engineering, aerospace, or business innovation. The program facilitates combining with another STEM discipline through double majors. Distinctive Applied Physics requirements include a statistics-focused laboratory emphasizing error analysis and a data-oriented programming course. Students may fulfill elective credits through various introductory science classes and labs in related disciplines.