There are many reasons students seek the challenges and rigors that come from making physics a part of their undergraduate studies. Those who choose physics find themselves in a field that both expands their abilities and provides them with an immense feeling of accomplishment. Perhaps the most important benefits gained from physics training are the confidence and the ability to tackle complex technical problems. As a result of this training, physicists are able to contribute in many professions.

Physics is the foundation of all sciences and has been the pursuit of some of the greatest minds in history, including Aristotle, Galileo, Newton, Maxwell, Einstein, and Dirac. Their discoveries and quest for knowledge form the foundation of our physics program. This proud tradition and passion for inquiry has produced a modern professional community of physicists whose contributions are continually expanding and changing our society. Whether it is on the end of a space-boom fixing the Hubble space telescope, creating and developing the World Wide Web, searching for the fundamental fabric of our universe, exploring safer and more reliable ways to diagnose and treat illnesses, or finding new and better ways to live, you will always find physicists on the frontier. So if you enjoy mathematics and science and are ready for a challenge, you should make physics a part of your education.

The internationally recognized faculty includes many who have earned prestigious awards for their research and teaching. The faculty believe that the quality of teaching, at all levels, is enhanced by a strong research program. Undergraduates, graduate students, and post-doctoral fellows participate in all aspects of research in physics at Florida State University. In fact, most undergraduate physics majors participate in research projects, and many are co-authors on publications. This research includes strong programs in computational physics and both experimental and theoretical studies in astrophysics, biophysics, and high energy, nuclear, condensed matter, and atomic and molecular physics. There are also many opportunities for interdisciplinary research, particularly at the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory (NHMFL) and the Institute of Molecular Biophysics (IMB), and as a separate degree program in chemical physics.