The Department of Physics offers courses and concentrations designed to teach students about the fundamental processes that govern our universe.  Students interested in majoring in physics can choose from several concentrations.

The Standard Physics concentration provides a curriculum that highlights the core areas of theoretical and experimental physics. The Computational Physics concentration provides a curriculum that emphasizes the use of computer simulations as a tool to visualize and understand natural phenomena.

In both concentrations student participation in faculty research is an important component of the program that prepares students for independent work in graduate school or industry. Each concentration also prepares students for graduate study, either in physics or in applied sciences such as optics, photonics, scientific computing, engineering, or computer science. 
 
For students interested in engineering, the Physics Department offers a concentration in Engineering Physics.  In this concentration, students take courses in physics at DePaul and engineering courses at another university, leading to degrees in both Physics and Engineering. Through a joint program with the Illinois Institute of Technology, students can complete a five-year dual-degree program while remaining full-time DePaul students.

Additionally, students who are interested in engineering but who are not interested in the dual degree program will have the scientific basis to complete an engineering program at another institution after the first two years of the physics major curriculum at DePaul. 

For students who wish to apply a physics degree to a career outside of physics, the Department of Physics offers a concentration called Interdisciplinary Physics.  This concentration combines a major in physics with a minor in a second field of the student's choosing.  A program in secondary-teacher education, offered in conjunction with the School of Education, is also available for students who wish to teach physics at the high school level.

Student participation in faculty research is an important component of the Physics program at all levels.  Participation in research can be pursued either through independent study during the academic year or full-time during the summer quarter.  Such experience is excellent preparation for independent work in graduate school or industry.