Skip to main site navigation Skip to main content

Thrive On: The Campaign for Utica University →

Utica University Logo
  • Academics
    • Programs
      • Utica at Florida
    • General Education
      • Current Offerings
      • Program Details
      • Themed Pathways
      • Planning Sheet
    • Honors Program
    • Utica at Florida
    • Online Study
    • Graduate Study
    • International Ed & Study Abroad
      • Study Abroad
    • Exceptional Faculty
    • Research & Experiential Learning
      • Experiential Learning Courses
    • Student Support and Success
    • Schedules, Catalogs, and Resources
    • Institutes and Centers
  • Tuition and Financial Aid
    • Understanding Financial Aid
      • Value
      • Excelsior, Explained
      • University Scholarships
      • Endowed Scholarships
      • Annual Awards
      • Utica Enhanced Tuition Award
    • Applying For Financial Aid
    • Tuition and Fees
      • Tuition and Fees - Undergraduate Campus
      • Undergraduate Online Tuition and Fees
      • Florida Programs Tuition and Fees
      • ABSN Program Tuition
      • Graduate Tuition and Fees
    • Net Price Calculator
  • Admissions
    • First-Year Admissions
    • Transfer Admissions
      • Articulation Agreements
    • Florida Admissions
    • Graduate Admissions
    • International Applicants
      • International Inquiry Form
      • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Visit
      • Utica University Campus
      • Virtual Tour
      • Why Not Fly?
    • Apply Now
    • Contact Us
    • Accepted Student Info
    • High School Counselors
    • High School Bridge Program
  • Community
    • Living on Campus
      • Student Living
      • Campus Engagement and Student Activities
      • Dining
      • Greek Life
      • Campus Safety
      • Utica University Campus
    • Satellite Locations
    • Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
      • Bias Incident Reporting
      • Community Connections
      • DEI Collaborative
      • DEI Events
      • Dialogue on Race and Equity
      • LACRELA
      • Our Staff
      • Pronouns
      • DEI Reading Guides
      • Utica University Stance Statement
      • Wilcox Center
    • The Utica Area
      • Hotels and Restaurants in the Utica Area
    • Utica Stories
    • About Utica
  • Athletics
    • Intercollegiate Athletics
    • Esports
  • News & Events
  • Alumni
  • Giving
  • Apply Now
  • Directory
  • About
  • Library
  • Logins
  • COVID-19
Utica University
Students listen in Physics class to Professor Hava Turkakin at the board.

Physics

  1. Academics
  2. Our Programs
  3. Physics

About This Program

You’re curious about the world around you. You look at life through a scientific lens. You’re fascinated by questions about the Universe—and our place within it. Physics may be the major for you.

Department

Physics Department

Why Utica University

Utica University's physics major offers a robust introduction to the science of the physical world. From the basic structure of atoms and matter to the complex interactions of galaxies, our program provides students with an opportunity to explore the fundamental nature of the physical universe. With an accomplished faculty and an individualized learning environment, the Utica physics program is an excellent choice for students considering graduate school as well as careers in research, teaching, engineering, or other areas that demand a strong foundation in physical science.

The mission of the Physics Department is to serve the entire Utica University community. With a comprehensive and rigorous curriculum that offers several degree options, along with special transfer study opportunities, the Physics program prepares physics majors and pre-engineering students for fulfilling career opportunities. The Physics program prepares students in other majors, ranging from chemistry, biology, mathematics, computer science to health sciences, with the background in physics they need to be successful in their fields. The Physics Department is committed to providing provocative core courses that fulfill the general science requirements for non-science students.

If you would like to learn more about this program, check out the Physics Department  webpage. The physics department has an active Society of Physics Students (SPS) and offers a variety of opportunities for research and outreach activities. Check out the website for SPS at UticaUniversity.

Utica Physics on Facebook     Utica Physics on Twitter

The 3 - 2 transfer option in engineering provides the basic courses typically found in the first years of engineering programs. Students have the advantages of small classes and close contact with the faculty as they master their foundation courses in science, mathematics, and introductory engineering at Utica University, along with core courses, for a total of at least 96 hours. With this coursework completed, students transfer to an engineering school where they take junior-level engineering courses. Upon the completion of 32 hours at the transfer college (and receipt of an official transcript), students will earn a B.A. in physics from Utica University. When the students have satisfied the requirements from the engineering school, typically after another year of study there, they will earn a second degree, in engineering. In effect, one year of college work counts for the degree at two institutions, and students will have a liberal arts degree in addition to the engineering degree. This degree should be considered by those seeking a career in technical management.

Contact Information

Office of Admissions

(315) 792-3006
admiss@utica.edu

General Information

Track

  • Major

Degree

  • B.A.
  • B.S.

Location

  • Utica Campus
Utica Excellence, Utica Value

Physics at Utica

Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better

Albert Einstein Theoretical Physicist

Career Opportunities

Utica's physics major provides foundational preparation for career opportunities in:
    • Research and Development
    • Engineering
    • Laboratory Technician
    • Teaching
A student works with Professor Jonathan Gaffney on a Physics project in class.

Investing in the Future

Over the last decade, Utica University has added more than $250,000 in new instrumentation to the Physics program with substantial help from the National Science Foundation and the Camille and Henry Dreyfus Foundation.
Student at laptop in classroom learning Physics.

Two Degree Options

The B.A. in physics is intended for students who plan to teach or wish to have a good scientific background for use in technology-related careers. The B.S. in physics is designed for students seeking to practice applied physics or research engineering.

What You'll Learn

Utica University’s flexible program fits a broad range of professional outcomes, with options for both bachelor of science and bachelor of arts degrees:

  • Bachelor of Science degree - designed for students planning on attending graduate school and on careers in research or engineering;
    • Student Learning Goals (B.S.)
      • Demonstrate conceptual, theoretical, and practical knowledge of classical mechanics topics
      • Demonstrate conceptual, theoretical, and practical knowledge of Electricity and Magnetism topics
      • Demonstrate conceptual, theoretical, and practical knowledge in Quantum and Modern Physics
         
  • Bachelor of Arts degree - designed for students planning to work in business or government in positions requiring a background in the physical sciences, and for students planning on teaching physics or physical science in primary or secondary school.
    • Student Learning goals (B.A.):
      • Demonstrate conceptual, theoretical, and practical knowledge, including hands-on experience, of classical mechanics topics
      • Demonstrate conceptual, theoretical, and practical knowledge, including hands-on experience, of Electricity and Magnetism topics
      • Demonstrate conceptual, theoretical, and practical knowledge, including hands-on experience, in Quantum and Modern Physics
Full Physics Curriculum and Learning Objectives
Mathematics Physics generic

Physics Faculty

Jonathan Gaffney
Jonathan D. Gaffney, Ph.D.
  • Assistant Professor of Physics
Photo of Hava Turkakin
Hava Turkakin, Ph.D.
  • Assistant Professor of Physics
Brandon A. Fleming, M.S.
  • Adjunct Professor of Physics

A Degree That Works

Recent graduates of the Utica University physics program have gone on to complete advanced degrees (in physics or engineering) at a number of nationally renowned universities including Syracuse University, the University of Pittsburgh, SUNY Albany, Clarkson, and others. Graduates of the physics program have taken leadership positions at:

  • Air Force Research Lab
  • Naval Surface Warfare Center
  • James Madison University
  • ConMed Corporation
  • INFICON, Inc
Utica College - DePerno Hall
Brittany Vanderhoof 16

Making Her Mark in the Research Universe

Brittany Vanderhoof loves tackling the big questions.  And for a physics student who’s always been “obsessed with space,” those big questions go beyond planet Earth—and even beyond our solar system. Vanderhoof  has spent most of her Utica career studying galaxy formation.

READ MORE

Science at Utica University

Sarah Keesom
Faculty

Social Work: Dr. Sarah Keesom, students, make surprising discoveries about social interaction and health

Whether or not you’ve ever contracted COVID-19, it’s likely the pandemic has had an impact on your health. The months...
Julian Damashek
Faculty

Dr. Julian Damashek examines connection between aging water infrastructures and antibiotic resistance

Antibiotics are considered by many to be the peak of 20th-century medical innovation, ushering in a new approach to controlling...
Professor Emeritus of Chemistry with distinction William Pfeiffer
Faculty

In Memoriam: Professor William Pfeiffer

William “Bill” Pfeiffer, Professor Emeritus of Chemistry with distinction, passed away on September 19, 2022, at the age of 81....
All Stories

Related Programs

Student at laptop in classroom learning Physics.
Undergraduate
Physics (minor)
Matt Emmons Mathematics 0052
Undergraduate
Mathematics
Geoscience at Utica University
Undergraduate
Geoscience
Alyssa Thomas - Chemistry 2018_0012
Undergraduate
Chemistry
Visit Campus Apply Contact Us
Academic Quad at Utica College

I would like to see logins and resources for:

For a general list of frequently used logins, you can also visit our logins page.

Utica University Logo
FacebookTwitterInstagramYouTube
  • Academics
  • Tuition and Financial Aid
  • Admissions
  • Community
  • Athletics
1600 Burrstone Road, Utica, NY 13502
Map & Directions
(315) 792-3006
Contact Us
  • Institutional Effectiveness
  • Bookstore
  • Disability Learning Support
  • Student Right to Know
2022-2023 College of Distinction2022-2023 New York College of Distinction2022-2023 Business College of Distinction2022-2023 Education College of Distinction2022-2023 Nursing College of Distinction2022-2023 Career Development College of Distinction2022-2023 Equity & Inclusion College of Distinction2023-2024 Military Friendly (Silver)

US News Award for Social Mobility