How do we understand nature in all its dimensions, on scales ranging from the tiniest subnuclear constituents of matter to the largest, namely, the cosmos? Physics, among the natural sciences, provides us with the most fundamental conceptual frameworks to gain insight into the working of nature. Its principles form the basis for almost every branch of science and engineering, and its ideas are applied even in fields as varied as economics, finance, data science, and environmental science. Being a subject of such fundamental significance, a knowledge of the methods, techniques, and applications of physics will enrich your perspective and outlook in whatever area you choose to pursue in the future.
Classical physics, built on the ideas of Newton, Maxwell, and Einstein, is often sufficient to deal with macroscopic phenomena such as the motion of celestial bodies or the dynamics of fluids. However, many important yet subtle phenomena, such as magnetism, the stability of solids, and the emission of radiation by atoms, lie beyond the scope of classical physics. To understand such phenomena, we make use of quantum theory, which is universal in its application to all objects, small and large. The undergraduate physics programme at Krea covers the fundamentals of both classical and quantum physics, and their applications.
Connections between physics and other disciplines are also highlighted. These include the physical laws underlying chemical reactions, physics in biomedical instrumentation as well as in neural networks, the interplay between geometry and physics, the physics of sound and light in art, and even the impact of physics (particularly relativity and quantum theory) on philosophy.
Courses such as Physics for Computation, Computational Methods, and Quantum Information and Computation help students acquire the skill set required for the emerging era of AI and quantum technology. In addition, courses such as Mechanical Properties of Matter and Electronics give them an engineering flavour. Graduate-level topics such as General Relativity and Particle Physics are also available in our list of electives for undergraduate students interested in theoretical physics. Two new specialisation tracks—an Astronomy track and a Quantum Science track—are also being introduced at the BSc level.
The Physics faculty at Krea are engaged in cutting-edge theoretical and experimental research across a wide variety of areas. These include complex systems, gravitation, nuclear physics, particle physics involving dark matter and neutrinos, astrophysics, condensed matter physics, magnetism, superconductivity, spectroscopy, the study of materials under extreme conditions, quantum optics, and quantum information and computing.
The Krea physics curriculum incorporates and engages with notions of both classical and quantum physics. Students explore the empirical nature of the subject and the historical contexts that led to the development of key concepts in mechanics, thermodynamics, electromagnetism, relativity, and quantum theory. They also learn how these fundamental principles underpin our understanding of optical phenomena, material states, and the physical properties of matter. Exciting elective courses are on offer in frontier areas such as quantum information, quantum optics, gravity, many-body theory, particle physics, and instrumentation and experimental techniques, in addition to interdisciplinary courses offered in conjunction with faculty experts from other fields. Our curriculum is part of Krea’s interwoven learning model, which broadens the way students perceive and engage with physics. Rather than studying the subject in isolation, students are encouraged to connect core physical principles with ideas from mathematics, other natural sciences, computer science, and even the humanities. This approach not only deepens their conceptual understanding but also cultivates the ability to apply physics to real-world and interdisciplinary problems. By fostering analytical thinking, creativity, and collaborative inquiry, the model empowers students to explore innovative applications of physics beyond traditional boundaries.
Physics students at Krea actively participate in the learning process within the physics major. They develop a deep understanding of the discipline and the need for mathematics to succinctly express the perceived laws of nature, and are encouraged to use theoretical concepts to understand and explain natural phenomena. In addition to performing standard experiments in laboratories, students plan and build equipment for experiments and participate in academic workshops and seminars. These activities require students to collaborate, practise ethics in collecting and presenting data, accommodate co-learners from diverse backgrounds and abilities, and develop leadership qualities.
By gaining exposure to eminent scholars working on unresolved questions in the realm of physics, our students make significant strides in conceptual understanding, analytical aptitude, problem-solving ability, clarity and precision in communication, and scientific inquiry. The capstone thesis, a year-long research project, requires students to delve deeply into analysing important open problems, applying the concepts and methods of physics to other domains, and/or performing experiments. This requirement enables students to employ the entire spectrum of skills and subjects taught in the major and at Krea.
Any Physics course that is required for a 4-Year Double Major may be chosen as an elective for the Single Major or 3-Year majors or minor.
A Krea Physics graduate will understand nature around them at a more fundamental level, with deep perspectives into the laws that govern our entire Universe. They will learn about classical notions such as forces and fields that describe matter in its various forms, as well as concepts such as randomness, order, and disorder in physics, which also find tremendous application in computer science and information science. The breadth of the domain traverses all scales, from the micro quantum level to the macro cosmic level, and includes highly complex systems that are among the most challenging problems today. Students will also learn about the physical properties of various materials, the origins of these properties, and how they can influence emerging industries. They will be exposed to cutting-edge research ideas in quantum information, condensed matter physics, and particle physics and astrophysics, taught by experts who are active researchers in these fields and supported by state-of-the-art facilities.
Apart from fundamental concepts, students will also acquire the analytical, computational, and instrumental skills that are crucial for securing a successful career, whether in science and academia or in research and development, consultancy, finance, and other quantitative fields. Newly added instrumental facilities in the research laboratory add an additional layer to this aspect.
Each course is assessed through several components. These include experiments, group projects, presentations, homework assignments, quizzes, and examinations. No single component exceeds 40% of the total weightage. Assessment components are based on conceptual understanding and problem-solving rather than rote learning.
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Minimum credits required for graduation |
Credits needed to earn a Single Major |
Credits necessary to earn a Double Major |
Credits needed to earn a Minor |
Credits needed to earn a Concentration |
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3-Year Programme (2023-26 onwards) |
120 | 62 | 96 | 24 | 16 |
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4-Year Programme (2023-26 onwards) |
160 | 82 | 128 | 32 | 16 |
| Single Major | Double Major | Minor | Concentration | |||||
| Required | Elective | Required | Elective | Required | Elective | Required | Elective | |
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3-Year Programme (2023-26 onwards) |
50 credits | 12 credits | 46 credits | 2 credits | 22 credits | 2 credits | 18 credits | 0 credits |
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4-Year Programme (2023-26 onwards) |
58 credits | 24 credits | 50 credits | 14 credits | 22 credits | 10 credits | 18 credits | 0 credits |
Many physics courses, such as Electronics, Electromagnetism, Classical Mechanics, Optics, Waves and Oscillations, and Quantum Physics, have a laboratory component. Laboratory experiments are run in parallel with the corresponding theory courses so that students have the opportunity to verify their theoretical knowledge simultaneously. We have a wide-ranging and versatile set of experiments in our undergraduate laboratory. Over fifty different experimental set-ups are available, some of which can be used to perform multiple experiments. One unique feature of our laboratory is that it is always open, with no fixed laboratory hours, allowing students to perform their experiments at their convenience.
In many of the physics courses we teach, students are encouraged to design a device or circuit and provide an experimental demonstration of a physical phenomenon using the laboratory set-ups. We have also designed a special laboratory-based physics course (Physics Exploration – An Experimental Approach), where even students without a physics background can explore physical phenomena and principles.
Apart from the traditional experimental set-ups for undergraduates, we also have several unique experimental facilities, such as a Dobsonian reflector telescope, a 3D printer, an optical table, a gamma spectroscopy kit (Indosaw), a spectrofluorometer (Horiba Scientific), a UV–Vis spectrometer (LABINDIA), and an analytical IR spectrometer (Bruker). As part of their final-year project, some students delve deeper into experimental research using both our undergraduate and research laboratory facilities, such as the Raman spectrometer and the NMR magnet.
A Krea physics graduate will step into a world of possibilities—from advanced degrees in the sciences to careers in research, innovation, instrumentation, analysis, and mathematical modelling. With skills valued by mega-science projects such as LIGO, INO, LHC, and ITER, they are prepared to push the boundaries of discovery. They will also be well equipped to appear for competitive examinations such as JAM, GATE, and JEST, and the hands-on research experience gained during their capstone project will help them make a smooth transition into research careers in astrophysics, condensed matter physics, materials science, biophysics, quantum information and quantum computing, geophysics, and data science–driven fields.
Physics graduates will also be equipped with strong analytical, computational, and instrumentation skills, making careers in research and development, industry, design, software development, consultancy, quantitative finance, analytics, and climate science accessible to them.
Higher Education Pathways: MSc/PhD in Physics, Astrophysics, Nuclear Physics, Materials Science, Medical Physics, Computational Physics, Energy Studies and more.
Job roles: Energy/Climate Scientist, Computational Physicist, Game engine developer, Instrumentation designers, Forensic Ballistician, Data Scientist, Quantitative Finance, Research in Academia or Industry, and more
Partnerships
Krea University has partnerships with leading universities in India and abroad that offer students pathways for higher education and research. These collaborations create opportunities for postgraduate study, academic exchange, and continued learning across disciplines. Know more
PhD, JNCASR, Bangalore
PhD, JNTU, Anantapur
Discover how Darshan Ramakrishnan selected his Physics major, what makes this discipline unique, the key lessons he learned, his future aspirations, and his words of wisdom for freshers.
“The community around Physics at Krea is close-knit, with active participation from both students and faculty. The combination of research opportunities and patient, approachable faculty is great for identifying and pursuing your interests.”
