University of Alabama At Birmingham

Whether it's a bouncing ball or a rocket blasting through the atmosphere, literally all things move through space and time.Pursue a physics degree, and you'll study why and how it all happens and learn to solve problems in science and technology. Our goal is to put you on track for a successful career in engineering, computer and information systems, research, health care, or teaching.

To begin, you'll choose to study either general physics or a specific concentration to fit your goals. Then, we'll want you into the lab early and often, so you can contribute to top-level research. In fact, we want you to work with faculty, publish peer-reviewed papers, and even present your findings at national conferences. This aggressive approach has allowed our students to compete for spots at the nation's top graduate and medical schools and land prestigious jobs at world-renowned companies. Interested in teaching? Earn your certification to teach physics or general science alongside your major with UABTeach.

• There's an increasing need for physicists, as the field is growing at a rate of 14 percent—faster than average (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).