BA Physics and Astronomy

At Rochester, you’ll build practical skills through advanced coursework, laboratory experiences, and collaborative research. The department’s home, Bausch & Lomb Hall, is a hub for discovery, discussion, and experimentation. You’ll have access to specialised spaces and resources that make your education both rigorous and rewarding.

Here’s how you’ll gain hands-on experience and where you’ll do it:

• Bausch & Lomb Hall (B&L): The department’s main building, home to all physics and astronomy faculty, the astrophysics group, and undergraduate advising. Most colloquia, seminars, and classes are held here, creating a vibrant academic community.

• Physics-Optics-Astronomy (POA) Library: Located on the third floor of B&L, the POA Library is a dedicated, 24/7-access space for physics and astronomy majors. It features group collaboration tables, a TA alcove for office hours, flex spaces, and a newly refreshed quiet study zone—ideal for focused work, group projects, and research prep.

• Laboratory for Laser Energetics (LLE): A nationally funded facility on campus, LLE houses the OMEGA and OMEGA EP Laser Systems—some of the world’s most powerful lasers. Undergraduates can get involved in research on high-energy-density physics and plasma astrophysics.

• HADES (High Amperage Driver for Extreme States): This unique facility lets you explore extreme states of matter, supporting research in both astrophysics and condensed matter physics.

• Institute of Optics: Faculty and students collaborate here on quantum optics and advanced photonics research, broadening your technical and experimental toolkit.

• Departmental Research Experiences: Many upper-class majors participate in faculty-sponsored research projects, often through the department’s NSF-funded Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program. You’ll have opportunities to work on projects in star and planet formation, plasma astrophysics, and more.

• Group Work and Peer Collaboration: The department’s culture encourages group study, peer-led workshops, and recitation sessions, often held in the POA Library or B&L’s dedicated seminar rooms.

Graduates of the University of Rochester’s BA in Physics and Astronomy are prepared for a range of exciting careers—such as data analyst, science educator, technical consultant, or laboratory assistant—thanks to a flexible curriculum that blends rigorous science with the freedom to double major or pursue interdisciplinary interests.

Here’s how Rochester helps you launch your future:

• University Services: You’ll benefit from a moderately sized department with accessible, dedicated faculty who are committed to teaching and mentoring. Academic advisors work closely with you to tailor your course plan, and the department encourages participation in research and independent study projects.

• Employment Stats & Salary Figures: While specific salary data isn’t published for this program, physics and astronomy graduates nationwide enjoy strong job placement and above-average starting salaries in STEM, education, and technology sectors.

• University–Industry Partnerships: Rochester’s Department of Physics and Astronomy fosters connections with research labs and industry partners, and students are encouraged to participate in internships and collaborative projects. The program’s structure also makes it easy to combine your studies with engineering, computer science, or other fields.

• Long-term Accreditation Value: As part of the College of Arts and Sciences at a major research university, your degree is widely recognised and respected. The BA program is ideal if you want a broad overview and the flexibility to pursue double majors or interdisciplinary work, while still gaining a robust foundation in physics and astronomy.

• Graduation Outcomes: You’ll graduate with strong analytical, quantitative, and problem-solving skills, ready for entry-level roles in research, education, technical fields, or business, or for further study.

Further Academic Progression: If you’re considering graduate school, you’ll be well prepared to pursue master’s programs in physics, astronomy, engineering, or data science. The BA’s flexible structure also supports pathways into law, medicine, or education, giving you a solid springboard for advanced study and professional growth.