From an active astronomical observatory that is central to the community to state-of-the-art instruments and your own study room for casual interactions, our home in the majestic Bicentennial Hall has everything you need to immerse yourself in the world of physics.
Physics
Physics is the fundamental science, leading to our most basic understanding of the natural world and of human technological achievements.
The program is designed to integrate physics into the liberal arts curriculum, as well as to provide challenging courses and research opportunities for students majoring in physics. Courses and student research activities in astronomy are an integral part of the physics program.
Course offerings in the Physics Department reflect the needs of three categories of students: (1) those majoring in physics; (2) those majoring in another science who need a basic introduction to physics and the analytical skills it provides; and (3) those majoring in areas outside the sciences, who seek to explore the concepts of physics with a minimum of mathematics. Laboratory work is emphasized at all levels of our program, from first-year courses through senior thesis work. The Physics Department also conducts weekly “tea times” during the semester so students, faculty, and staff can meet in an informal setting.
Welcome to our new colleague
Dr. Michael Dunham will be joining the physics department faculty during the summer of 2024.
Research Interests
Dr. Dunham’s research focuses on the earliest stages of star formation, and is aimed at answering the question “How do stars gain their mass?” While the short answer to that question is that stars form due to the gravitational collapse of dense condensations of material, there are many physical processes that work together to form the final mass of a star. The current understanding of how these processes interact to initiate, regulate, and cease the assembly of mass into stars remains incomplete, and Dr. Dunham uses a combination of observations from space and ground-based infrared, (sub)milimeter, and radio telescopes to build a more complete picture of the star formation process.
Why Study Physics?
If you’re curious about nature, want to understand the universe from first principles, love math—both abstract and applied—and enjoy tinkering in the lab or constructing rigorous arguments, then you should explore the physics major.
Facilities and Equipment
Research Opportunities
Laboratory work and student research are emphasized at all levels of our program, from first-year courses through senior thesis work. Read more about research.