Instrumentation physics, an option within the physics major, is directed toward preparing a bachelor's degree holder for working in government and industrial laboratories, where the ability to use and modify complex electronic and mechanical equipment is high valued. A physicist's perspective on making measurements and interpreting experimental data provides an important counterpoint to those of engineers focused on construction and of mathematicians focused on analysis. This program emphasizes laboratory experiences and student study in as many different labs as possible both in physics and electrical engineering. Physics is the most basic natural science and considers physical systems ranging in size from nuclei, to atoms, to the cosmos. It is an extremely broad field, with many sub-fields. Understanding the forces and laws that underpin the interactions of matter and energy form a major part of the discipline. Applying this understanding to other sciences and technology offers numerous opportunities for the well-trained physicist.

Careers open to those with the instrumentation physics option include design engineer, test engineer, and instrumentation engineer for data acquisition, process control, and system integration. Testing and evaluating semiconductor chips and acquiring data for oil exploration and sensor development are important industrial examples. Instrumentation physics graduates are employed in the design and repair of electronics for medicine, government laboratories, and the chemical and electronics industries. Careers in technical and electronic equipment sales are also open to graduates in the instrumentation physics option.