Physics is the study of the principles of the physical universe and the experiments that demonstrate those principles. The department offers courses in the classical areas of mechanics, electricity and magnetism, optics and electronics. Courses are offered in quantum areas upon demand.

Summer Research. The department encourages physics students to apply for summer research grants. Recent students have been accepted at the University of Alaska, Pennsylvania State University and Brookhaven National Laboratory. Academic year internship and research opportunities are also valuable, but more difficult to arrange.

Honors. The departmental honors program recognizes superior work in the physics courses. To enter the program, majors:

• write a request to the department one month before senior registration,
• maintain a cumulative 3.0 GPA and a 3.25 GPA in physics, and
• demonstrate scholarly work in the field by completing at least four semester hours of PHYS:550 Research or PHYS:500 Independent Study.