Program Details
Program Details

Program Details

Minor in Physics

Minor
Randolph College

Physics is a discipline that seeks to explain the behavior of the natural world with a comprehensive set of fundamental laws. Success in physics requires a keen analytical mind, a strong desire to understand the fundamental principles of nature, and the ability to work hard and persevere.
A physics major earned in the context of a liberal arts education prepares the student for a wide variety of careers. Scientific careers in universities, research laboratories, and industry are the most obvious opportunities, but the training that a physicist receives in analytical reasoning prepares one for a career in medicine, engineering, law, and business as well. Problem-solving ability combined with knowledge of computer programming also leads to careers in computer science and computer programming.
The Bachelor of Arts degree is for the student interested in studying physics, but who is likely to pursue a career in a related field, or a field which requires an analytical mind. The Bachelor of Science degree is for those planning a career in physics or engineering, and for those considering going on to graduate school.
A student interested in a degree in engineering, but who also wants the benefits of a liberal arts education can elect the engineering physics major. See Engineering Physics for a description of the interdisciplinary major.


Program Overview & Guidance
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Program Web Page
Click here for Details
External Link
Delivery Mode
In-Person
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Delivery Mode
Online
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Delivery Mode
Hybrid
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Program Guidance Element What You Need to Know
Considerations for Selecting Degree
Considerations When Selecting Courses

It is recommended that students take at least one course in each of the fields of biology and chemistry, and additional courses in computer science. MATH 3343; 4426; and MAC/PHIL 1175; 2230.

  • Create a schedule for all required courses, pay attention to prerequisites and when courses are offered, complete your first math and English courses in your first year
  • Connect with an advisor at your community college and Randolph College within your first year
Program Requirements Beyond Specific Courses
Doing More With Your Degree
Program Successes & Highlights
Program Credit Requirements
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Applicable Admissions Agreements
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The table below lists admissions agreements between Randolph College and partner institutions that may guarantee admission to this program if you meet the required criteria. Click on the title name of the agreement to view a summary of those criteria.

Institution Name Type Title
Blue Ridge Community College GAA Transfer Agreement with Guarenteed Admission Between Randolph College and the Virginia Community College System
Central Virginia Community College GAA Transfer Agreement with Guarenteed Admission Between Randolph College and the Virginia Community College System
Danville Community College GAA Transfer Agreement with Guarenteed Admission Between Randolph College and the Virginia Community College System
Mountain Gateway Community College GAA Transfer Agreement with Guarenteed Admission Between Randolph College and the Virginia Community College System
Eastern Shore Community College GAA Transfer Agreement with Guarenteed Admission Between Randolph College and the Virginia Community College System
Germanna Community College GAA Transfer Agreement with Guarenteed Admission Between Randolph College and the Virginia Community College System
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College GAA Transfer Agreement with Guarenteed Admission Between Randolph College and the Virginia Community College System
Brightpoint Community College GAA Transfer Agreement with Guarenteed Admission Between Randolph College and the Virginia Community College System
Laurel Ridge Community College GAA Transfer Agreement with Guarenteed Admission Between Randolph College and the Virginia Community College System
Mountain Empire Community College GAA Transfer Agreement with Guarenteed Admission Between Randolph College and the Virginia Community College System
New River Community College GAA Transfer Agreement with Guarenteed Admission Between Randolph College and the Virginia Community College System
Northern Virginia Community College GAA Transfer Agreement with Guarenteed Admission Between Randolph College and the Virginia Community College System
Paul D. Camp Community College GAA Transfer Agreement with Guarenteed Admission Between Randolph College and the Virginia Community College System
Patrick & Henry Community College GAA Transfer Agreement with Guarenteed Admission Between Randolph College and the Virginia Community College System
Piedmont Virginia Community College GAA Transfer Agreement with Guarenteed Admission Between Randolph College and the Virginia Community College System
Rappahannock Community College GAA Transfer Agreement with Guarenteed Admission Between Randolph College and the Virginia Community College System
Southside Virginia Community College GAA Transfer Agreement with Guarenteed Admission Between Randolph College and the Virginia Community College System
Southwest Virginia Community College GAA Transfer Agreement with Guarenteed Admission Between Randolph College and the Virginia Community College System
Tidewater Community College GAA Transfer Agreement with Guarenteed Admission Between Randolph College and the Virginia Community College System
Virginia Peninsula Community College GAA Transfer Agreement with Guarenteed Admission Between Randolph College and the Virginia Community College System
Virginia Highlands Community College GAA Transfer Agreement with Guarenteed Admission Between Randolph College and the Virginia Community College System
Virginia Western Community College GAA Transfer Agreement with Guarenteed Admission Between Randolph College and the Virginia Community College System
Wytheville Community College GAA Transfer Agreement with Guarenteed Admission Between Randolph College and the Virginia Community College System

You can view the full text of these Agreements in the Resource Center

What If I Have An Associate Degree Or Credit For Prior Learning?
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Transfer Guidance Element What You Need to Know
Associate Transfer Degree Completion Completion of the general education certificate or a transfer-oriented associate degree program will not guarantee completion of the general education component of the Randolph undergraduate curriculum. Courses will be evaluated individually upon transfer.
Completion of Associate Degree Concurrent with High School Completion of the general education certificate or a transfer-oriented associate degree program will not guarantee completion of the general education component of the Randolph undergraduate curriculum. Courses will be evaluated individually upon transfer.
Credit for Prior Learning Not Available
Did You Know That...
  • Completing your Associate transfer degree post-high school satisfies all lower division general education requirements and increases the chance of completing your bachelor's degree?
  • Exceeding 3 years or 90 credits at your community college means you may have exhausted your financial aid at that college and have limited your future financial aid at: Randolph College
College Level Information
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Transfer Center
Visit our transfer site for more information
External Link
Transfer Admission Application
Transfer Students - Apply Here
External Link
Transfer Student Aid
Financial Aid for Transfer Students
External Link
Number of Transfer Students
38
Percent of Accepted Transfer Students
90% of transfers admitted, the average GPA is 3.12.
College Fit Guidance What You Need to Know
Is This College Right For Me?
  • Randolph College's total undergraduate enrollment is around 780, with 95% being full-time students.
  • Generally, 54% percent are women and 46% are men, mirroring the national average.
  • Randolph College enrolls graduate students in several programs including a Master of Arts in Teaching, M.F.A. in Creative Writing or Theatre, and a Master of Arts in Coaching and Sport Leadership.
  • Randolph's students come from many states and countries and about 75% are Virginia residents. The student body includes around 41% domestic non-white students.
  • Members of Randolph's first-year class are high achievers, with GPAs averaging about 3.51.
  • A remarkable 97% of Randolph's 66 full-time faculty members hold the highest possible degree in their fields.
  • Randolph offers a rigorous liberal arts curriculum in small classes taught by engaged, caring professors, never graduate students.
  • The average class size is 13, and the student: faculty ratio is 9:1.
  • Around 36 majors and over 52 minors, as well the option of an independently designed major tailored to your interests.
  • Co-curricular experiences bring real world focus to every major and require significant independent research.
  • Five pre-professional programs, including law, medicine, veterinary medicine, teacher licensure, engineering, and other health-related studies.
  • A cooperative, dual degree career program in engineering allows students to earn a degree at Randolph and a second degree from another institution (Washington University in St. Louis or the University of Virginia) in a compressed time frame.
  • Unique opportunities like the American Culture Program, the Symposium of Artists & Scholars, the Randolph Innovative Student Experience (RISE) grant program, and the Summer Research Program.
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    Transfer Student Catalog Year Catalog year determined by first semester of attendance
    First Year Student Catalog Year Catalog year determined by first semester of attendance
    Applying for Guaranteed Admissions See the transfer application process;https://www.randolphcollege.edu/admission/apply/transfer-student/
    Where Can This Degree Transfer
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    This section displays degrees most closely related to this program and to which you may be able to transfer. So, you can use this list to find the next degree you can complete in your major. Please click the degree name to visit that program page.

    Institution Title Degree Award Name Award Level Delivery Mode
    Mountain Gateway Community CollegeAssociate of Science Degree in ScienceAssociateAssociate of Science2-YearIn-Person, Online
    J Sargeant Reynolds Community CollegeAssociate of Science in ScienceAssociateAssociate of Science2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
    Brightpoint Community CollegeAssociate of Science Degree in ScienceAssociateAssociate of Science2-YearIn-Person, Hybrid
    Virginia Peninsula Community CollegeAssociate of Science in Science DegreeAssociateAssociate of Science2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
    Tidewater Community CollegeAssociate of Science - ScienceAssociateAssociate of Science2-YearIn-Person
    Virginia Highlands Community CollegeAssociate in Science Degree in ScienceAssociateAssociate of Science2-YearIn-Person, Hybrid
    Virginia Western Community CollegeAssociate of Science in Science DegreeAssociateAssociate of Science2-YearIn-Person, Hybrid
    Wytheville Community CollegeAssociate of Science Degree in ScienceAssociateAssociate of Science2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
    Hollins UniversityBA in PhysicsBachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
    James Madison UniversityBachelor of Science, Major in PhysicsBachelorBachelor of Science4-YearIn-Person
    James Madison UniversityBachelor of Arts, Major in PhysicsBachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
    Longwood University Physics: Biophysics BABachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
    Longwood University Physics: Biophysics BSBachelorBachelor of Science4-YearIn-Person
    Longwood University Physics: Dual Degree Engineering BABachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
    Longwood University Physics: Dual Degree Engineering BSBachelorBachelor of Science4-YearIn-Person
    Longwood University Physics: General Physics BABachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
    Longwood University Physics: General Physics BSBachelorBachelor of Science4-YearIn-Person
    Longwood University Physics: Teacher Preparation in Physics BABachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
    Longwood University Physics: Teacher Preparation in Physics BSBachelorBachelor of Science4-YearIn-Person
    Longwood University Physics: Engineering Physics Concentration BABachelorBachelor of Science4-YearIn-Person
    Longwood University Physics: Engineering Physics Concentration BSBachelorBachelor of Science4-YearIn-Person
    Richard Bland CollegeAssociate of Science-Physical ScienceAssociateAssociate of Science2-YearIn-Person, Hybrid
    Roanoke CollegeBachelor of Arts in PhysicsBachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
    Roanoke CollegeBachelor of Arts in Physics EducationBachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
    Roanoke CollegeBachelor of Science in PhysicsBachelorBachelor of Science4-YearIn-Person
    George Mason UniversityPhysics, BSBachelorBachelor of Science4-YearIn-Person
    William & MaryPhysics - Bachelor of ScienceBachelorBachelor of Science4-YearIn-Person
    Old Dominion UniversityPhysics-BSBachelorBachelor of Science4-YearIn-Person
    Old Dominion UniversityAstrophysics-BSBachelorBachelor of Science4-YearIn-Person
    University of Mary WashingtonBS in Physics: Applied PhysicsBachelorBachelor of Science4-YearIn-Person
    University of Mary WashingtonBS in PhysicsBachelorBachelor of Science4-YearIn-Person
    Virginia Commonwealth UniversityPhysics Bachelor of ScienceBachelorBachelor of Science4-YearIn-Person
    Virginia Commonwealth UniversityPhysics with concentration in Nanoscience, Bachelor of ScienceBachelorBachelor of Science4-YearIn-Person
    Virginia Commonwealth UniversityPhysics with concentration in Pre-Medical, Bachelor of ScienceBachelorBachelor of Science4-YearIn-Person
    Emory & Henry UniversityPhilosophy (BA)BachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
    Randolph-Macon CollegePhysics (BS)BachelorBachelor of Science4-YearIn-Person
    Radford UniversityBS in PhysicsBachelorBachelor of Science4-YearIn-Person
    Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State UniversityBachelor of Arts in PhysicsBachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
    Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State UniversityBachelor of Science in PhysicsBachelorBachelor of Science4-YearIn-Person
    Wytheville Community CollegeAssociate of Arts & Sciences Degree in Science AssociateAssociate of Arts & Science2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
    Rappahannock Community CollegeAssociate of Science in Science Degree with a STEM MajorAssociateAssociate of Science2-YearIn-Person, Hybrid
    Careers Where This Degree Applies
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    O*Net Code Name Description Parent
    11-9121.01Clinical Research CoordinatorsPlan, direct, or coordinate clinical research projects. Direct the activities of workers engaged in clinical research projects to ensure compliance with protocols and overall clinical objectives. May evaluate and analyze clinical data.Management Occupations
    11-9121.00Natural Sciences ManagersPlan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as life sciences, physical sciences, mathematics, statistics, and research and development in these fields.Management Occupations
    19-2012.00PhysicistsConduct research into physical phenomena, develop theories on the basis of observation and experiments, and devise methods to apply physical laws and theories.Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations
    25-1054.00Physics Teachers, PostsecondaryTeach courses pertaining to the laws of matter and energy. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.Educational Instruction and Library Occupations
    25-2031.00Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical EducationTeach one or more subjects to students at the secondary school level.Educational Instruction and Library Occupations
    11-9121.02Water Resource SpecialistsDesign or implement programs and strategies related to water resource issues such as supply, quality, and regulatory compliance issues.Management Occupations
    Cost To Complete
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