物理学致力于发现和探索支配我们物质宇宙的最基本的物理定律。工作的物理学家试图以最优雅的数学形式表达这些定律，以便将它们应用于预测夸克，胶子，原子核和亚原子的亚原子级的物理系统中所有形式的物质和能量的行为。原子，一直延伸到行星，恒星，黑洞，星系和宇宙的更大尺度结构的天体水平。在各种物理现象的实验和理论研究中获得的知识构成了许多现代技术的基础。例如，高速通信和显微外科手术中使用的激光，现代计算机显示器中使用的塑料电子设备，计算机硬盘驱动器中使用的薄膜的磁行为以及哈勃太空中使用的辐射探测器和光学元件望远镜。物理
This degree lays the foundation to begin your career or to continue your education for a higher degree in graduate school in physics or another field, such as law or medicine. <br><br>The program has a high fraction of electives so that in consultation with your advisor, you can tailor a special program that suits your needs. This makes it easy to minor in computer science, mathematics or another field.<br>Physics is the most fundamental of the sciences. It explains how the physical world works and lies at the foundation of nearly all technical fields. All natural phenomena obey the laws of physics. Physicists express these laws in mathematical form, so that they can be applied to predict the behavior of all forms of matter and energy, ranging from the subatomic physics of quarks, gluons, nuclei, and electrons, to the astrophysics of planets, stars, black holes, and galaxies. Physics forms the foundation for modern technologies ranging from advanced materials to lasers used in high-speed communications and surgery, modern electronics, quantum devices for sensors and cryptography, as well as the radiation detectors and optical elements used in space telescopes.<br><br>The Missouri S&T physics department provides numerous opportunities for students to participate in cutting-edge scientific research supervised by departmental faculty. Topics include collisions between electrons, atoms, and ions, exotic interactions between atoms and ultrafast lasers, the electronic, magnetic, optical, and mechanical properties of new materials, quantum phenomena at ultralow temperatures, dark energy and the large-scale structure of the universe, as well as gravitational wave astronomy. Missouri S&T physics students often present their work at research competitions throughout the state and at national scientific meetings.