Physicists try to describe and explain natural phenomena. They draw up mathematical models and develop theories and devise experiments to be able to test them. They also look for practical applications of natural phenomena. Work is being done at the UvA on a cooling system without a coolant and virtually without any electricity. In this sense, physics is inextricably linked to society: physics research is the basis for any number of technological inventions. An understanding of physics and its theories is also important for research in fields like sociology or philosophy. As a result of new information physics provides us with, how we see reality and cope with it is subject to constant change. Physics also affects fields like medical science, chemistry, biology and astronomy. At the UvA, physicists work in close conjunction with astronomers in teaching and research. Both their fields are officially part of a Bachelor’s programme in Physics and Astronomy. To provide a curriculum in keeping with the students’ personal preferences, the Bachelor’s programme in Physics is flexible. There is a wide range of choices. The first semester includes several required courses taken with Chemistry and Mathematics students. Then Physics and Astronomy students choose two electives such as the theory of relativity or a physics lab. They can also take a mathematics or chemistry course. At the end of the first semester, a non-binding recommendation is made about the study programme to be taken for the Bachelor’s programme. Of course the students’ own motivation and interests play a central role in this connection. At that point it is still possible to transfer to a different Bachelor’s programme. The Bachelor of Physics programme can include subjects like electromagnetism, quantum mechanics and mathematical methods and techniques. In the second and third year, students can choose from specialisations varying from strongly theoretical to more applied ones. The Bachelor's programme in Physics is a scientific programme where every student learns to conduct research. The programme is completed with a Bachelor’s thesis, after which graduates receive a Bachelor of Science degree (BSc).

Due to their versatility, graduates in Physics find work in a diverse range of positions, for instance in laboratories and institutes in the field of fundamental and applied research, in business management and government, consultancies, in software or finance. Technically oriented companies increasingly need managers who are trained in science; employers appreciate the analytical and problem-solving capacities of scientifically trained physicists. Graduates also find work in positions in which information and communication is involved, such as education, science journalism and information.