Unlock a world of discovery with Siena’s Physics program, where you'll gain hands-on research experience, personalized mentorship, and the skills that top employers and grad schools demand. Graduate with a proven track record of real-world achievements that set you apart.
| program Type | Department | School |
| Undergraduate Major, Undergraduate Minor, Undergraduate Dual Major | Physics and Astronomy | School of Science |
At Siena, you don’t just study physics—you experience it. From your very first year, you’ll dive into cutting-edge research alongside expert faculty, funded by prestigious organizations like NASA, the National Science Foundation, and the Department of Energy. Imagine yourself contributing to projects at the Large Hadron Collider at CERN or analyzing data from the latest telescopes searching for Dark Energy. You won't find opportunities like this at many undergraduate programs.
And it’s not just theory—you’ll work with data, build experiments, and travel to places like Puerto Rico, China, Switzerland, and Greenland. It’s a hands-on approach that guarantees you’ll graduate with more than just knowledge—you’ll have a portfolio of real-world experience that gets noticed by top employers and graduate schools.
The Physics program at Siena adapts to your goals. Whether you're aiming for a career in physics, engineering, data science, education, or beyond, you can tailor your experience. Choose from tracks in computational physics, biological chemical sciences, or even add minors like Data Science and Entrepreneurship that many other schools don’t offer. Plus, our cooperative engineering programs (3/2 and 4/1) let you earn both a physics degree and an engineering qualification, blending the best of both worlds.
Minors in Physics, Astronomy, and Astrophysics
You’ll join a supportive, inclusive community where your peers and professors care about your success. The relationships you build here—whether in group study sessions, collaborative projects, or through faculty mentorship—become a network that lasts a lifetime. One student said it best: “My favorite thing is the sense of family and community in the physics department. The relationships with my peers and professors are incredibly beneficial, and it’s clear we all care a lot about each other.”
Our small class sizes—usually 20 students or fewer—mean you’re more than just a number. You’ll get personalized guidance from professors who are not only experts in their fields but also deeply invested in your success. Siena’s faculty members stay on the cutting edge of Physics Education Research and regularly present at national conferences. You’ll be learning from those who shape the field and bring the latest insights straight into your classroom.
Your journey at Siena is designed to build the skills today’s employers demand. In courses like Exploratory Data Analysis and Visualization, you’ll master Python programming—an essential skill in many research and tech roles. And when you take Quantum Physics, you’ll explore the mysteries of the subatomic world, equipping yourself with critical thinking and problem-solving abilities that are invaluable in any career.
Frank Chietro, a 2017 Siena Physics graduate, is now a Network Security Engineer at Walt Disney World. He contributed to the creation and development of the Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance ride. Reflecting on his Siena experience, Frank shares, "A lot of work I did heavily involved critical thinking and Siena, especially in the physics department, gives you that experience. Siena teaches you to troubleshoot and allows you to figure out the best solution."
Students who are interested in engineering but who still want the benefit of a liberal arts education should consider our cooperative engineering programs. Siena offers both 3/2 and 4/1 engineering program options.
Siena’s Physics program prepares students for a broad range of technical careers, with about one third continuing on to graduate study in physics, engineering, astronomy, or business. Alumni have pursued advanced degrees at institutions such as Boston University, Dartmouth College, Duke, MIT, the University of Washington, and the University of Maryland.
Others step directly into the workforce with roles like data science engineer, lab supervisor, test engineer, safety manager, production manager, and research scientist. Graduates have built careers at organizations including Regeneron, GlobalFoundries, Albany Med Health System, University of Florida Health, Cognex, XOS, Weill Cornell Medicine, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the United States Marine Corps, and The Athletic.
Yes. A physics degree develops problem-solving, mathematical reasoning, analytical, and scientific skills that can be applied across many fields. Physics graduates can pursue careers in engineering, technology, research, data analysis, energy, education, finance, and other technical fields. A physics degree can also provide strong preparation for graduate or professional school.
A physics degree can prepare students for careers in engineering, research, technology, data analysis, energy, aerospace, education, finance, and scientific fields. Physics also provides a strong foundation for graduate study in physics, engineering, astronomy, materials science, computer science, and other technical disciplines.
Physics graduates can pursue careers such as physicist, research scientist, engineer, data analyst, laboratory technician, scientific programmer, educator, technical consultant, and quantitative analyst. Physics graduates can work in industries including technology, engineering, energy, aerospace, healthcare, government, research, and finance.
Physics majors study how matter, energy, forces, motion, and the fundamental laws of nature interact. Coursework can include mechanics, electricity and magnetism, thermodynamics, quantum physics, optics, and modern physics. Students also develop skills in mathematical modeling, experimentation, data analysis, and scientific problem-solving.
No. Physics graduates develop transferable quantitative and analytical skills that can be applied to many careers. Graduates can work in engineering, technology, data science, finance, energy, healthcare, education, government, and other fields in addition to pursuing careers in physics research.
Yes. Physics provides a strong foundation in mathematics, scientific principles, modeling, and problem-solving that can be useful in engineering. Students interested in engineering careers should research the specific educational and professional requirements for their intended engineering field.
Yes. Laboratory work is an important part of studying physics. Students learn how to design experiments, collect and analyze data, use scientific equipment, and connect theoretical concepts to physical phenomena. Research projects, internships, and other experiential opportunities help students apply their physics skills outside the classroom.
At Siena, you'll gain more than a degree—you'll leave with the skills, experiences, and connections that make you stand out. Explore how a Physics degree from Siena gives you a distinct advantage in your career path.
