Why Study Physics at SDSU?

SDSU is located (click here for a map):

• 20 minutes to the Pacific beaches.
• Close to the mountains, desert and mexico.
• Brand new (2005) light rail (trolley) connects SDSU to Downtown

How good is the weather?

The SDSU Physics Department is distinguished by its favorable student-to-faculty ratio: upper division physics courses average less than 25 students, and graduate courses about 10 students. The department actively promotes close student-faculty contact; faculty members personally know most upper division and graduate students. Full-time faculty teach most of the undergraduate and graduate lectures and laboratory courses.

In the teaching philosophy of the SDSU Physics Department, great emphasis is placed on hands-on experience for students. A notable strength of the physics program is the active involvement of both undergraduate and graduate students in research. Our senior students become research collaborators in a partnership with the faculty. Senior and MS students participate together in a variety of research activities, including research seminars and group meetings.
A thesis requirement exists for both undergraduate as well as M. S. students. The thesis work often results in a publication in a refereed journal, co-authored by the student.
The research experience familiarizes students with the types of problems found in advanced research and engineering situations, and prepares them to assume positions of responsibility quickly after graduation. Consider, for example, this unsolicited letter from one our recent graduates.

Why study physics?