I’m a sophmore in highschool, and I’ve been looking at High Point University’s physics program. I was wondering if the physics program is challenging and greater than that of other schools? I’ve heard that they’re one of the few colleges who start their students in research during their freshmen year, however is that good enough of a school? I’m looking for a school with an academically rigorous physics program and would like to know if HPU’s physics program is academically challenging. I’d appreciate any responses. Thank you!
I took a quick look at the required curriculum and it it looks pretty standard for a liberal arts college. Compared to the curricula at research universities, it has fewer required upper division courses. For example, they only require one semester of quantum mechanics, electrodynamics and classical mechanics. If you look at their course descriptions, they state that these upper division courses are only offered every other year and I did not see any second semester of these available.
This is a perfectly reasonable curriculum and probably it is challenging. However, if you attend a research university, these courses are offered every year and usually they require or at least have available the second semester of the sequence. If you have the goal of going for a Ph.D., then sometimes, those extra upper division courses can give you a bit more preparation. Another consideration is that the upper division courses being offered every other year means that you might not have the course available the year that you need it for the Physics GRE.
As for research, a good LAC, like High Point can really give you a lot of research opportunities and that means a lot. At a bigger school, you can get the same opportunities but sometimes, it will require a bit more action on your part to go talk to the professors. The advantage of a research university is that you could get the chance to work in a lab alongside graduate students. If the small classes is what you are looking for, then you can also take a look at some of the smaller research universities which have the same feel but also graduate programs. These usually have more upper division physics courses available or even graduate courses you can take.
Bottom line, if High Point is a good fit for you and you can afford it, then you can do very well getting a physics degree from there. If you are concerned about the lack of upper division courses, then you might also with to look at other schools which fit your temperament.
You are right, you may get more research opportuniity at a smaller school. My D is a HS jr and very interested in physics, here is a link we found with some smaller schools that have excellent physics programs
http://www.thecollegesolution.com/the-colleges-where-phds-get-their-start/
Just my 2 cents worth but I think schools like Harvey Mudd, Reed, Carleton and Lawrence over-all are light-years better than High Point.
Thank you! This is all very helpful, and @xraymancs I should probably start looking at the curriculum of colleges to get a feel for the schools. Thanks again.