Keith Veenhuizen and Olivia Magneson conduct physics research

Physics

As a physics major, you’ll work closely with your professors in the classroom and laboratory, conduct independent study projects, and participate in student-faculty research. Through it all, you’ll gain critical thinking, writing, experimental, computational, and analytical skills while exploring and learning how the universe behaves.

By studying physics at LVC, you’ll explore and learn the fundamental laws of nature: motion, force, energy, heat, light, electricity, magnetism, atomic and nuclear structure, and the properties of matter.

In addition to the Physics major, we offer an optional concentration in Computational Physics, a secondary education certificate to teach Physics in high school, an Engineering Physics major, and a 3+2 Engineering program. Whatever career path you choose, you’ll benefit from a hands-on curriculum and experienced, mentoring faculty who will support you the whole way. Need-based departmental scholarships are available.

Learn More About the Program

As an LVC physics major, you’ll have the opportunity to participate in paid, high-impact student-faculty research in quantum information, materials science, and nuclear physics. Two of our professors have won National Science Foundation (NSF) grants to support their student-faculty research. Our students consistently exceed the national average of the ETS Major Field Test in Physics, with several scoring above the 80th percentile.

Dr. Dan Pitonyak works with student during Physics lab

Research First

Take a Quantum Leap in Your Physics Understanding

Get a head start on your science career! A select number of incoming first-year students are accepted into Research First every year, an immersive summer experience. You’ll work with faculty-led research teams and learn new experimental and/or computational techniques while getting to know the LVC community before starting classes in the fall.

5%
growth in job outlook, 2022–32 (Bureau of Labor Statistics)
$1.4M
in external NSF research grants since 2006

In Their Words

As an ACS Chemistry and Physics double major, I’ve conducted student-faculty research in both departments and landed a prestigious internship in chemical biology. LVC turns your dreams into realities through its professors and rigorous courses.
Jackie Martin ’25, ACS Chemistry and Physics Double Major
The Physics faculty does an outstanding job providing students with opportunities and preparing them for whichever direction they choose. The hands-on experience I gained through conducting student-faculty research prepared me well for my fellowship performing medical physics research at Harvard University in Boston, Mass.
Olivia Magneson ’23, Medical Physics Master’s Student, Louisiana State University
My recent National Science Foundation grant highlights the culture of high-impact research experiences we’ve established in the Physics Program. Students receive a great classroom education while pursuing research opportunities that often lead to presentations at distinguished national conferences and peer-reviewed publications in top journals.
Dr. Daniel Pitonyak ’08, Assistant Professor of Physics

Featured News & Stories