The physics major at Seaver College offers a well-balanced curriculum in experimental and theoretical physics that prepares students pursuing careers in science, technology, and similarly quantitative fields as well as those seeking a graduate education in physics, engineering, or environmental science.
About the Physics Program
Students in the physics degree program have the opportunity for an undergraduate research experience that involves close collaboration with physics professors.
History of the Physics Program
The Physics Major was originally part of the curriculum at Pepperdine University but was dropped at a later date. Dr. William Phillips chaired a committee to revive the Physics Major during the 2004 Fall semester which was later approved by SAC to begin in the 2005 Fall semester. In the 2005/2006 academic year the Physics program began offering classes. The physics minor was added in 2008/2009 academic year. In 2008 the Physics Program had its first graduate. The next graduating class, 2009, had three graduates. In 2015 Pepperdine University granted 9 B.S. degrees in physics. We have sent many of our first graduates off to Master’s and Ph.D. programs.
Quality Assurance: Each degree program should employ sufficient faculty such that there is a capacity to design and deliver the curriculum (CFR 2.5). Curriculum design and implementation should involve evaluation, improvement, and promotion of student learning and success (CFR 2.5). Thus, faculty are responsible to exercise effective academic leadership on a consistent basis to ensure that the program's quality and educational purposes are upheld (CFR 2.6). Student support and co-curricular programs and services of sufficient nature, scope, and capacity go hand-in-hand with the degree programs for promoting students' academic, personal, and professional development (CFR 2.13). - WSCUC 2023 Handbook, Standard 2