During the freshman and sophomore years, students receive a broad introduction to physics, chemistry, applied mathematics, and mathematical methods in physics. Starting in the sophomore year, students take electrodynamics, quantum mechanics, classical mechanics, mathematical methods, thermodynamics and statistical mechanics, and advanced mathematics. In addition, there is a core of four laboratory courses that students take. Laboratory courses emphasize student-developed and student-designed independent projects in which students use the knowledge acquired to build apparatus of their own choosing. The capstone lab course, PHYS 4430, provides students with hands-on experience with optical spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance, scanning tunneling microscopy, and laser cooling and trapping of atoms, among other experiments.

Recent projects include research in pulsed laser deposition of high-temperature superconductors, electron diffraction studies of protein structure, and lattice distortion theory of colossal magnetoresistance materials.

Students who plan to become registered professional engineers should check the requirements for registration in their state before choosing their engineering major.