Cultivate
Provides opportunities inside and outside the classroom to cultivate and enhance your overall learning and academic experience.
DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICS
Major milestones are activities Physics Major, B.A. or B.S. students should complete during their first year, middle years and final year at MSU Denver.
Both the Physics Major, Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), and the Physics Major, Bachelor of Science (B.S.) milestones are represented on this page.
Explore the Physics Major, B.A. or B.S.
Physicists study everything from the stars in the sky to the structure of atoms. Studying physics at MSU Denver will prepare you for careers or advanced studies in applied and theoretical physics. You will develop advanced mathematical and problem-solving skills as well as cutting-edge physics laboratory techniques, academia, engineering, aerospace, and wherever your imagination takes you.
CAREER MILESTONES
There are nine essential skills you should have in order to find, acquire, maintain, and grow within a job.
Essential skills build through majoring in Physics include:
- Critical Thinking, Quantitative Reasoning, and Technology:
- Critically analyze and solve complex problems.
- Design and conduct experiments.
- Perceive and define cause and effect relationships.
Students graduating from Physics find themselves as:
- Physicist
- Astrophysicist
- Aerospace Physicist
- Condensed Matter Physicist
- Materials Scientist
- Research Scientist/Analysist
Based on Modern Campus Pathways (data provided by Lightcast), employment in Physics is projected to grow by 5.4 percent from 2024 to 2026.
Click here to explore career opportunities by major.
Many students also choose to pursue a graduate degree.
WHAT ARE MAJOR MILESTONES?
Major milestones consist of activities students should complete during their first year, middle years and final year at MSU Denver. These milestones will help prospective and current students explore major and career options and create a year-by-year plan to integrate curricular (what happens inside the classroom), co-curricular (what happens inside and outside the classroom, and non-curricular (what happens outside the classroom) experiences. For example, milestones might list specific classes student should take at specific times along their journey or may suggest when students should participate in research opportunities with faculty members.
Simply put, Major Milestones are meant to enhance your student experience and set you up for success.
MAJOR MILESTONES CATEGORIES
Engage
Highlights activities you can engage and participate in globally, nationally and locally to enhance your essential skills and start building your resume.
Prepare
Lists steps to prepare for postgraduate success whether that's entering the workforce, attending graduate school or pursuing other goals and plans.
HOW TO USE THE MAJOR MILESTONES TOOL
- Scroll to your current year in school.
- Read the steps listed in each category: Cultivate, Engage and Prepare.
- Complete any necessary steps listed.
- Check out further resources by connecting with your academic advisor, the Classroom to Career Hub, and your department faculty.
All options listed below are available in-person and online unless noted otherwise.
ARRIVE - Your First Year at MSU Denver
First Year Milestones
- Join a student organization and get connected to support on campus.
- Declare a major, (explore our fully online programs!) or meet with an exploratory advisor to learn about options.
- Attend signature events on campus (Convocation, Fall Fest, Spring Fling, etc.).
- Check out Career Link for on-campus and career-aligned jobs.
- Attend Classroom to Career Hub (C2Hub) career workshops and events.
- Write your early experience resume and utilize resume resources from the C2Hub.
- Develop foundational mathematics skills in calculus.
- Learn to use Canvas.
- Complete financial aid and scholarship applications.
- Learn about tutoring available in the department and through CASE.
- Meet with a physics academic advisor.
- Join the Society of Physics Students.
- Focus on building skills in foundational courses.
- Begin to develop a resume to track experiences and skills.
THRIVE - Your Middle Years at MSU Denver
Middle Years Milestones
- Consider adding a minor or adding a certificate to your chosen major.
- Explore resources like the tutoring program or the writing center.
- Get familiar with MSU Denver’s Academic Planning Tool.
- Explore student leadership on campus and volunteering in your community.
- Earn credit and gain experience through an internship, study abroad, or community-engaged learning.
- Attend identity or interest-based campus events like the Richard T. Castro speaker series.
- Connect with the Undergraduate Research and Scholarship program.
- Attend an in-person Career Fair to network and secure a professional headshot.
- Connect with the Classroom to Career Hub (C2Hub) for opportunities for professional mentoring and job shadowing.
- Meet with a physics academic advisor to review your Degree Progress Report.
- Consider adding a minor or certificate in another field.
- Attend Society of Physics Students events.
- Attend the MSU Denver Undergraduate Research Conference.
- Pursue undergraduate research with a physics faculty member.
- Attend a career fair.
- Attend career workshops & events offered by the C2 Hub.
- Continue to build your resume.
SOAR - Your Final Year at MSU Denver
Final Year Milestones
- Meet with your advisor to complete remaining graduation requirements.
- Ready to Graduate? Check out this guide from the registrar!
- Attend or present in-person at a major-specific or industry-specific conference or networking event.
- Attend in-person alumni and campus-wide networking events.
- Submit a proposal to present in-person at the Undergraduate Research Conference.
- Seek to collaborate with local civic organizations.
- Finalize your portfolio of relevant projects and skills.
- Get help on your industry-ready resume, then attend in-person career-focused events.
- Identify needs for Professional Certifications or MCAT/LSAT etc. and prepare for professional school admissions.
- Prepare and submit applications for jobs, explore graduate school, or relevant post-grad training.
- Meet with a physics academic advisor to ensure you are on track for graduation.
- Complete your senior experience course.
- Apply for graduation.
- Take a leadership position in the Society of Physics Students.
- Serve as a TA or LA in a physics course.
- Pursue a physics internship.
- Discuss employment and/or graduate school options with physics faculty members.
- Review your resume with physics faculty members
Roadrunner Roads
Things every student should do at MSU Denver.
Roadrunner Upkeep
- Complete FAFSA/CASFA/COF/Scholarship Applications every year.
- Stay on track for graduation by meeting with your advisor every year and check into the Rowdy Pit Stop every semester.
- Read The Runner in your email every Monday.
Roadrunner Career Readiness
- Find and get hired for jobs during college and beyond by visiting the Classroom to Career Hub (C2Hub) and utilize C2Hub resources for students.
- To be prepared for any opportunity that comes your way, update your resume early & often.
- Explore options for hands-on learning and explore graduate school & get prepared for both.
- Log in to Career Link each month to stay up to date on programs, events, and job/internship opportunities.
Roadrunner Wellbeing
- Explore wellness and belonging resources from CESA.
- Access mental wellbeing support through the Counseling Center.
- Visit Rowdy’s Corner when you need some food access support.
- Nourish your physical well-being by checking out the Rec Center and checking out Exercise Sciences, including for-credit courses.
- Determine if you need to fill out the Health Insurance Opt-Out Waiver each semester.
Additional College Resources
College of Letters, Arts and Sciences (CLAS) Steps for Success
Major Maps
Download the Physics Major, B.A. or B.S. Map (from CLAS), a print version of this webpage so you can refer to it later.
Student Success Roadmap
Complete additional steps on the CLAS Student Success Roadmap to round out your MSU Denver experience.
Follow Us
Contact the Department of Physics
Connect with Us
Phone: (303) 615-1110
Email: [email protected]
Campus Location:
Plaza Building
Room 262
Plaza Building, Auraria Campus – Google Map