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Bachelor of Science in Physical Science

The pilot checked his fuel gauge and altimeter again and reflexively opened and closed his clammy hand before returning it to its sure but trembling grip on the yoke of the aging 747 jet. He'd done the equations a hundred times, but he couldn't be sure they were going to make it, not even to the abandoned airstrip at Moose Jaw. He couldn't be sure of his calculations because he didn't know the atomic weight of cobalt. When the flight attendant brought him yet another lukewarm but ink-black coffee, he broke the news. "Do it quietly," he told her, "but start asking the passengers. If we're lucky, there's a chemist on board!"

Okay, so not all of your daily tasks as a chemist or physicist will have the immediate application needed in our hypothetical airplane, but the truth is your career really will help people - making lives better, more interesting, safe, and yes, sometimes even longer. As a chemist or physicist for science-based industries, your work will impact the daily lives of people around the world, and that's a lot more people than will fit on any one plane.

Possible Job Titles:

• Physicist
• Chemist
• Computer Support of Information Systems

Job Outlook:

Mixed

What are the benefits of a DSU Degree?

• Class size/personal attention (Faculty-Student ratio):
  • Class sizes run from 1 to 100; typically around 10-15. Currently, there are 27 declared physical or forensic science majors, and two faculty.
• Cool facts or interesting things about this major:
  • A unique program that builds on the common ground of chemistry and physics, unlike any other nationally
  • Our graduates are highly sought after both by industry and higher educational programs in both chemistry and physics
  • 100% job placement in the field
• Faculty's unique experiences or certifications in this major:
  • Dr. Bleil has his doctorate in computational chemistry, specializing in statistical thermodynamics, making him the only statistical thermodynamicist in the state. He has a great deal of experience in computational chemistry methods, including coding for these techniques.
  • Dr. Szczerbinska holds her doctorate in quantum physics. Her unique abilities have given her a pivotal role in the new Homestake Mine project, an underground mine that will be built in the Black Hills of significant national importance.
• Integrated Technology:
  • With faculty members well versed in computational approaches in the physical sciences, computer technology permeates our program, starting with automated data collection devices their first year, to a full blown advanced course that covers the most modern computational calculation software available today.
• Special Facilities:
  • Our students have access to all journals published by the American Chemical Society online (ACS Web Editions available through the DSU library) and Amber, a commercial molecular modeling program.
• What type of special opportunities can students take part in? (i.e. scholarships, grants, research opportunities, internships, clubs, organizations, etc.)
  • There are scholarships available only to physical science majors. In addition, faculty also works with students on independent research projects. All students are welcome to join the Math and Science club.