Training unique problem solvers
Spanning the full breadth of knowledge to the frontiers of matter and astrophysics, our coursework promotes the ability to think in unscripted ways – the essence of what it means to be a physicist. Strong math and flexible programming requirements are the key pillars supporting the curriculum. Research experiences are an integral component of the programs, offered as early as your first year and enriched with travel to partner sites across the world. Our faculty are caring mentors who will support you as they challenge you to reach your full potential.
We prep you for the fulfilling career that you can expect by going beyond coursework and embedding you in experiential opportunities that interface with the many outcomes available to the physics major:
- Alumni network. We keep strong ties to our alums and invite them regularly to share experience and advice. We host 3-5 alums per year, representing a wide spectrum of career outcomes.
- Local outreach. We reach out to local businesses and museums to partner in projects and visits.
- National internships. We alert you of national opportunities and mentor you through the application process. About 5-10 students travel to internships every year to sites such as Jefferson Lab, Los Alamos National Lab, Fermilab, Princeton Plasma Physics Lab, Argonne Lab, and NSF-funded REU sites across the country.
Duquesne University's physics program offers a lot of individualized instruction,
which is beneficial compared to larger institutions. I've always thrived on specific
instruction from faculty rather than learning exclusively from lectures, making Duquesne
a great fit for me.
After touring the department, I quickly met so many students who were incredibly
welcoming, along with faculty members who are skilled professors and researchers.
I truly think the Duquesne physics department is a hidden gem, and I am so thankful
for all they have done for me.
In Spring 2025, Jaycie Corazzi-Gigliotti earned the highly competitive SULI Spring
scholarship from the Department of Energy’s Jefferson Lab—a program that draws the
nation’s most talented students. The scholarship has opened doors to horizon-expanding
possibilities, and she credits Duquesne and her mentor, Dr. Fatiha Benmokhtar, for
laying the foundation for her success.The Physics Student Perspective
Physics Senior Awarded Prestigious Jefferson Lab Scholarship
Take A Quantum Leap
Earn the mindset and skills to tackle complex problems in any professional setting: industry, academia, finance, health care, and more.
Programs
We offer bachelor options to major in physics with varied strengths of content and with opportunities to accommodate a second interest, such as medicine, engineering, education, astronomy, mathematics or computer science. Our curriculum aligns with nationwide expectations of breadth and rigor. Every class is taught by experienced faculty with solid scholarship or teaching credentials, who put your learning first. Our facilities are designed with your learning experience in mind.
Research Opportunities
With no graduate students to compete for faculty attention and funding, your chances of landing a research opportunity are very high in our department. We recruit our undergraduate students to participate in the ongoing research of our faculty in magnetic nanomaterials and laser physics on site, and in nuclear physics at collaborating sites nationwide and worldwide.
Bridging Learning With The Real World
The programs are structured to maximize the opportunities to defer your choice and
to accommodate a change in mind. It is even possible to enter the program after spending
one year in another major and still graduate on time!
Our innovative focus on electronics, optics and data analysis will give you an edge
in internship and job applications. No prior experience assumed!
Contribute your enthusiasm, drive and skill to projects in nuclear physics, laser
physics and nanomaterials, and earn co-authorship in our publications. We will mentor
you closely to place in prestigious external opportunities as well!
A physics degree prepares you for a variety of careers that rely on the
ability to think out of the box. Physicists investigate, understand and innovate wherever
they find themselves.
Chair and Associate Professor, Physics Associate Professor, Physics Associate Professor, Physics Teaching Assistant Professor, Physics Instructor, Physics Associate Professor, Physics
Flexible degree pathways
Skill-infused Curriculum
Authentic research experiences
Undergraduate Student Publications
Physics Programs
Meet The Faculty
Simonetta Frittelli, Ph.D.
Fatiha Benmokhtar, Ph.D.
Ted Corcovilos, Ph.D.
Michael McMaster, Ph.D.
Darryl Ozimek
Monica Sorescu, Ph.D.
Alumni Voices
My experience as a Duquesne physics student was truly transformative. The rigorous coursework, hands-on research, and faculty support prepared me for graduate studies in medical physics at Columbia University. From building leadership skills to gaining real-world experience, every opportunity played a critical role in shaping my academic and professional path.
I feel that my physics courses at Duquesne have given me the confidence that I am more capable than I think, which has helped me to feel well prepared for research opportunities and has allowed me to approach them with a positive attitude, even if it involves something unfamiliar.
My time at Duquesne prepared me for teaching responsibilities, classes, and the research phase of the PhD. I was able to get the tools and connections I needed to succeed in a further academic portion of my career.
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What Are Our Graduates Doing?
Within one year after graduation, the recipients of a Duquesne bachelor’s degree in physics have been employed in STEM jobs (43%), or have started a PhD program in physics (23%), or have started a graduate program in a field other than physics (26%), or were engaged in other outcomes, such as the military or non-STEM jobs (8%). These figures represent the graduates whose outcomes are known to us: 86% of all graduates between 2015 and 2024.
