The VU Department of Physics and Astronomy prepares students for a wide variety of exciting career paths by emphasizing rigorous mathematical analysis and conceptual understanding of physical phenomena, experimental testing of theoretical predictions by sophisticated data acquisition and analysis, the development of research skills as a member of a team, and communication of scientific results both orally and in written form. 

Students majoring in physics choose concentrations in one of the following areas:

• Fundamental physics
• Applied physics
• Astronomy and astrophysics
• Secondary education. 

Our graduates work in industrial research laboratories, national facilities like Fermilab, Argonne, and the Harvard-Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, high school classrooms, colleges and universities, patent law firms, science museums, and a whole host of other settings.  Explore the web site  to learn more about studying physics and astronomy at VU.