Bachelor of Science in Physics

Catalog Year 2025-2026

Based on VCCS Curriculum for PHYSICS

Transfer Guidance

Guaranteed Admission Agreement Requirements

• This degree program is covered by VCU’s Guaranteed Admission Agreement.

• Earn a transfer associate degree.

• Earn a minimum GPA of 2.5 for your associate degree. VCU will recognize the cumulative GPA as recorded on the VCCS transcript and not recalculate based on multiple course attempts.

• Complete a minimum of 30 credits at VCCS institution.

• Earn grades of “C” or higher in all community college courses.

Important Links & Dates

• University Transfer Center: https://transfer.vcu.edu/.

• Admission Application: By March 15 for fall admission and November 1 for spring at https://www.vcu.edu/admissions/apply/.

• Financial Aid: https://semss.vcu.edu/our-services/financial-resources-and-guidance/.

• FAFSA - Free Application for Federal Student Aid: March 1 for fall semester at https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa.

• Letter of Interest form: https://ugradadmissions.vcu.edu/register/letterofinterest.

What Should I Consider When Selecting Courses?

• Complete your English courses and start your math sequence in your first year.

• Create a schedule for all required courses, pay attention to prerequisites and when courses are offered. For help, see Transfer Steps and Resource Center at www.TransferVirginia.org.

• Connect with an advisor at your community college and the VCU Transfer Center within your first semester through your account at www.TransferVirginia.org.

Is This Degree Right For Me?

• With a Bachelor of Science in physics from VCU, you’ll graduate knowing how to perform scientific reasoning and complex problem-solving. You’ll master the analytical skills needed to take on technical problems in physics, and you’ll have the ability to translate what you know to others, thanks to your sharp communication skills. That could be your launchpad for a career as an automotive engineer, environmental compliance inspector, web developer, high school teacher, regulatory affairs specialist, astrophysicist or any of a number of physics-related jobs. In addition to the standard B.S. in physics curriculum, the department offers two concentrations: nanoscience and pre-medical.

What Is The Impact On My Degree Of Work I Have Already Completed?

• Associate Transfer Degree Completion: The completion of a transfer associate degree results in all lower-division general education requirements being met when you transfer to VCU.

• Dual Enrollment – Completion of Associate Degree in HS: The completion of an associate degree concurrent with high school results in 60 credits of coursework applied towards your degree and VCU’s general education courses satisfied. High school students must apply to VCU as freshman applicants for orientation and engagement purposes.

• Credit for Prior Learning: VCU accepts AP, IB, Cambridge, CLEP, DANTES, and military credits.

• Catalog Year: VCU will honor the degree requirements of the VCU Undergraduate Bulletin in effect at the time of the student’s first post-high school enrollment into an appropriate associate degree at the two-year institution. Students must stay enrolled at their community college and take no more than four years to complete their associate degree. Students must also enroll at VCU within one year of completing their associate degree.

Is This College Right For Me?

• Located in downtown Richmond, within two hours of the beach, the mountains and Washington DC, VCU provides top-ranked academic programs, research opportunities and an urban setting so students can live and learn in the real world.

• VCU is a large, public research institution dedicated to the success and well-being of students and the Richmond community.

• Diversity, inclusion and equity are deeply ingrained core values of VCU.

• Learn more about our college at www.TransferVirginia.org.

Did You Know That…

• Completing your associate transfer degree satisfies all lower division general education requirements and increases the likelihood you will complete your bachelor’s degree?

• Exceeding 3 years or 90 credits at your community college could exhaust your financial aid there and reduce your future financial aid at VCU?

What Can I Do With This Degree?

• Explore possible careers, salaries, and job outlook at www.TransferVirginia.org.

Program Successes & Highlights

• Almost all of our research-active faculty include undergraduate students in their research program. Since 2022, 40 students have graduated with a physics degree from VCU. Of these, 30% were transfer students that graduated in an average of 3.25 years (this includes part-time and full-time students) and 50% were admitted as freshmen that graduated in an average of 4.3 years. 95% of physics majors graduating since 2022 have either found a job in a STEM-based industry or pursued graduate education in physics or engineering.

What Are My Chances For Getting Accepted?

• If you apply through general application instead of through the Guaranteed Program Admission Agreement, you will be considered for admission with all other transfer applicants.

• Learn more about applying at www.TransferVirginia.org.

Do More With Your Degree!

• The Physics Department only requires 30 credit hours which makes it an ideal program from which to explore double majors or specialized minors. Many of our students are double majors with a variety of other engineering, math and science departments. Physics has an accelerated 4+1 M.S. degree with an emphasis on nanoscience. Physics also has three concentrations that focus on the research areas within the department: Physics, Nanoscience, Pre-Medical. Physics majors have opportunities to work closely with professors on research problems. In many cases this leads to students being listed as co-authors on publications in peer-reviewed scientific journals. Additionally, the physics department also operates its own tutoring center where physics majors can work as paid tutors on a part-time basis.

Other Than Classes, Are There Other Program Requirements?

• All students must complete at least one VCU “REAL” experiential learning activity in order to graduate from VCU. Examples of REAL activities include: internships, research, and service learning. This requirement may be satisfied by completing a 300-level (or higher) REAL course or through an approved REAL co-curricular experience.

• Learn more at https://real.vcu.edu/.