Lewis offers a state-of-the-art learning environment for future physicists.

With our brand new 50,000-square-foot Science Center addition, the Physics Department at Â鶹¾«Æ·ÊÓƵ has some of the most impressive undergraduate and graduate lab resources in the region with $250,000 worth of industry-grade optics and laser technology equipment.

Why Lewis for Your Physics Degree?

  • The third-largest undergraduate physics program among private universities in Illinois
  • Located less than ten miles from , along with a unique for students to obtain research opportunities
  • Close proximity to for additional opportunities for students to earn real-world experience in the field
  • Students design their undergraduate experiments with options to present at local, regional, and national meetings
  • Active chapters of and
  • Past five graduating classes have achieved an astounding 100% pass rate on graduate school qualifying exams
  • Our Physics graduates have been accepted into some of the most prestigious graduate programs in the country with full assistantships

Recipient of the 2021 Award for Improving Undergraduate Physics Education

Â鶹¾«Æ·ÊÓƵ has been recognized with the 2021 Award for Improving Undergraduate Physics Education by the American Physical Society's (APS) Committee on Education (COE).

The APS website describes the innovations in the Lewis curriculum: "The department modernized its curriculum moving from the theory-heavy curriculum with only one lab beyond the first year to a curriculum that incorporates active learning, additional laboratory experiences beyond the first year, inquiry and design-based labs that emphasize skill development throughout the curriculum, an independent Capstone project, and computational skill development throughout the curriculum."

The APS award is posted at

Customized Curriculum for Career Goals in Physics

Whether you want to start a career in research and development, bring newfound analytical modeling skills to the finance world, apply to graduate school, or teach physics at the high school level, the Department of Physics at Lewis University has the curriculum and resources you need to be successful in the field.

Physics, B.S.
Prepares you for graduate level studies or immediate employment right after Lewis in research and development.

Physics, B.A. for the High School Teaching Certificate
Prepares you with the depth of the discipline as well as the teaching skills so you can share your love of science and inspire the next generation of scientists. 

B.S. or B.A. in Physics to M.A. in Secondary Education 4+1 option
Earn your bachelor's in Physics and master's in secondary education in less time than it would take to complete both degrees separately. 

B.S. in Physics (Engineering Physics) to M.S. Mechanical Engineering
This is a B.S. to M.S. accelerated partnership agreement between Â鶹¾«Æ·ÊÓƵ and Purdue University Northwest (PNW) which allows students to graduate with both a B.S. and M.S. in five years. 

Engineering B.S. Joint Degree Program
Our unique partnership with Northern Illinois University allows you to obtain your Physics, B.S. from Lewis and your Engineering, B.S. from NIU through this five-year, dual degree program.

Physics, M.S.
Provides students with a functional knowledge of all basic areas of physics, including mechanics, electricity and magnetism, thermodynamics and quantum mechanics

A Rewarding Experience with the Lewis Physics Department


Current students and former graduates attribute their success in the field to the unique experiences they’ve encountered at Â鶹¾«Æ·ÊÓƵ and the Physics Department faculty:

“I’ve found the relationship with the professors to be the best thing about the Chemical Physics program. It’s no longer them telling you what’s right or wrong, but working together to figure out a research issue. Even though it’s a lot of hard work, it’s rewarding to delve into the material with them.”

- James Hoffman, M.A. Chemical Physics

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