B.A. in Integrated Computer Science & Physics

Undergraduate Entry Requirements

Academic Qualifications: Applicants for undergraduate programs typically require a minimum academic achievement of 65% or above in their previous academic qualifications.

English Language Proficiency:

• IELTS: Overall band score of  6.0 or 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in each component.
• TOEFL: Overall score of 80 or higher.
• PTE: Overall score of 53 or higher.
• DET (Duolingo English Test): Minimum score of 105.

Whittier College offers a variety of scholarship opportunities for international students to help make a high-quality education affordable and accessible. These scholarships reward academic excellence, leadership, and other talents while supporting diversity and global engagement on campus.

Merit-Based Scholarships: International students are eligible for merit scholarships based on their academic achievements, standardized test scores, extracurricular involvement, and leadership qualities. These scholarships can significantly reduce tuition costs and are awarded automatically upon admission consideration or through separate applications.

International Student Academic Scholarships: Whittier College provides dedicated academic scholarships for international applicants, which recognize outstanding academic records from students worldwide. These awards typically range from partial to substantial tuition reductions and are renewable each year based on satisfactory academic performance.

Need-Based Financial Aid: While international students do not qualify for federal financial aid, Whittier College offers some need-based assistance through institutional funds. International applicants must submit a financial aid application along with supporting documents to be considered for these awards.

Specialized and Departmental Scholarships: Certain departments and programs at Whittier may have specific scholarships for international students who demonstrate excellence or interest in particular fields, such as business, sciences, or the arts. These awards encourage students to pursue their academic passions with financial support.

Whittier College's B.A. in Integrated Computer Science and Physics provides a powerful academic foundation, blending the fundamental laws of the universe with the problem-solving and logical structures of computing. This STEM-designated degree cultivates analytical rigor and computational prowess, making graduates highly adaptable and well-suited for cutting-edge roles in research, technology, and engineering. The program emphasizes hands-on experience and undergraduate research, further enhancing career readiness.

Computational Scientist: This is a strong fit, as graduates are uniquely equipped to develop and use computational models and simulations to solve complex scientific and engineering problems in areas like materials science, astrophysics, climate modeling, or biomedicine. They can work in research labs, academia, or private industry.

Software Engineer (Scientific/Simulation): With their deep understanding of physics, these graduates can specialize in developing software for scientific applications, simulations (e.g., for engineering, fluid dynamics, or quantum systems), and data visualization tools, particularly in fields requiring high-performance computing.

Data Scientist/Analyst (Physics-Driven Data): Combining programming skills with a strong background in data analysis and physical phenomena, graduates can work with large datasets in scientific research, engineering, or even financial modeling, extracting insights from complex physical systems.

Aerospace Engineer (Computational Focus): Graduates can apply their knowledge to design, analyze, and test aerospace systems using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and other simulation tools. Their physics understanding is critical for the underlying principles, while computer science skills enable the modeling.

Quantum Computing Engineer/Researcher: This emerging field is a natural fit. Graduates can work on developing quantum algorithms, designing quantum hardware components, or contributing to the theoretical understanding of quantum systems for next-generation computing. Whittier's physics curriculum can provide exposure to quantum mechanics.

Robotics Engineer: The integration of physics (mechanics, control systems) and computer science (programming, algorithms) makes graduates well-suited for designing, building, and programming robots for various applications in manufacturing, exploration, or healthcare.

Optics/Photonics Engineer: For those with an interest in light and its applications, this role involves designing and developing optical systems, lasers, and photonic devices. Computational skills are increasingly important for simulating and optimizing these systems.

Embedded Systems Developer: This involves programming microcontrollers and other embedded systems often found in physical devices, from consumer electronics to industrial machinery. The understanding of hardware-software interaction from both disciplines is highly valuable.

Research Assistant (Physics/Computer Science Labs): Graduates can continue their scientific journey by working as research assistants in university or national laboratories, contributing to cutting-edge research in areas such as quantum physics, condensed matter physics, astrophysics, or computational materials science.

Further Education (Graduate School): The rigorous academic foundation provided by the Integrated Computer Science and Physics program is an excellent springboard for pursuing advanced degrees (Master's or Ph.D.) in fields like Computational Physics, Computer Science, Aerospace Engineering, Materials Science, or Quantum Information Science, leading to careers in academia, advanced R&D, or specialized industry roles.