ACADEMIC PROGRAM
Lenoir-Rhyne is one of the few colleges left which offers a strong, traditional physics curriculum. It is felt that such a background is able to provide our students with many options for today's competitive job market The major in physics leads to the B.S. degree. Upon completion of a degree in physics, students are prepared for entry into graduate programs, careers in education, or positions in business and industry. Such students will be well-equipped, having a solid conceptual foundation in the areas of mechanics, electricity and magnetism, light and sound, atomic and nuclear physics, quantum mechanics and thermodynamics.

Numerous other options are available for study in the Physics Department, including a Physics minor, Environmental Studies, Science for Teachers, and Pre-Engineering.

MINORS
The Department offers options for additional study for all students, regardless of their major field of study. Students can minor in Astronomy (18 hours), Earth Science (18 hours), or Physics (20 hours). A strong background in these areas combined with a concentration in another field encourages students to make connections between fields that can lead to new opportunities for satisfying careers.

SPECIAL FEATURES
Several option are available to students who wish to pursue careers requiring Astronomy, Earth Science, and/or Physics background.

Link to college catalog

GENERAL TRACK
The Bachelor of Science in Physics is designed for the student preparing to pursue graduate study or in preparation for a career in a field in business or industry. There is a great deal of flexibility in this program and the courses can be chosen to fit the student's interests and career goals. The heavy emphasis on laboratory experience and problem-solving equip students to pursue careers in industrial research and development, production management, technical writing, and technical sales.

ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES PROGRAM
This is a highly flexible program with options ranging from environmental decision-making to technical and field-based opportunities. In this program, among other options, the student is able to concentrate in Physics (20 hours required) or Earth Science (15 hours required).

PRE-ENGINEERING PROGRAM
The pre-engineering program is approved by the Subcommittee on Engineering Transfer for transfer to the engineering programs at North Carolina A & T State University, North Carolina State University, and the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Students who successfully complete the pre-engineering program at Lenoir-Rhyne College are also guaranteed admission into Clemson University's College of Engineering, should they choose to do so. In this dual-degree program students spend three years at Lenoir-Rhyne and at least two years at one of the above-named institutions.

INTERNSHIPS AND RELATED JOB EXPERIENCE
The department has a limited ability to place students in the junior and senior year into work in the community at some of the Hi Tech industries located in and around Hickory. This ability depends on the needs of the local industry and is not a certainty. We have also had students successfully apply to summer internships (research experiences at major universities such as University of Tennessee).