物理学家关注的自然现象范围非常广泛，从基本粒子的超微观世界到宇宙的广阔范围以及宇宙的起源，从最简单的日常活动到最极端的能量物质行为，温度，距离和时间。物理的定义特征是对基本逻辑的追求-统一并解释实验研究的所有不同现象的理论结构。实验和理论工作都主要受此追求的驱使。作为副产品，物理学家开创了我们现代技术赖以生存的许多基本思想，例如晶体管和激光器，甚至有朝一日的聚变能。在俄亥俄州立大学获得物理学学位有两种不同的选择：通过艺术与科学学院获得物理科学学士学位，或者通过工程学院获得工程物理科学学士学位。在每个选项中
Physicists are concerned with an extremely broad range of natural phenomena extending from the submicroscopic world of elementary particles to the vast reaches of the cosmos and the origins of the universe, from the simplest of everyday activities to the behavior of matter at the furthest extremes in energy, temperature, distance and time. The defining characteristic of physics is the quest for the underlying logic-the theoretical structure that unifies and explains all the different phenomena that are studied experimentally. Experiments and theoretical work alike are motivated primarily by this quest. As a by-product, physicists have pioneered many of the basic ideas on which our modern technology rests, such as transistors and lasers, and perhaps someday fusion energy. There are two different options for obtaining a physics degree at Ohio State: a Bachelor of Science in Physics through the College of Arts and Sciences or a Bachelor of Science in Engineering Physics through the College of Engineering. Within each option there is a set of standard college requirements plus math and physics requirements that are roughly the same for both options. A student who is interested in studying physics should consider carefully which program to choose.