| Physics & Astronomy | |
The Program The Major The Minor Professional
Option Physics & Astronomy Internet Resources |
About Physics & Astronomy Physics, the fundamental natural science, and astronomy, the oldest science, provide explanations for a large number of physical phenomena through the use of a small number of general principles and concepts. These include theories of mechanics, gravitational and electromagnetic fields, relativity, and quantum mechanics. The study of Physics and Astronomy not only contributes to students’ understanding of the physical environment, it also develops their abilities to reason analytically and to test hypotheses. These abilities are useful in many fields other than physics. Earlham’s Physics Department provides a well-balanced curriculum. The research interests of the faculty and off-campus programs also provide opportunities for advanced study in a variety of fields. Current faculty interests include laser physics, musical acoustics, atomic physics, archeoastronomy, and theoretical astrophysics. Physics students have access to excellent laboratory, computer, and library facilities. Students in advanced laboratories study such topics as nuclear resonance, X-ray crystallography, nuclear activation and decay, and atomic spectroscopy. Off campus, Earlham students have frequently been invited to serve as summer interns at various astronomy and physics research facilities such as Notre Dame, Argonne, Fermi Lab, and the Maria Mitchell Observatory. In addition, seniors may spend part of their final year in research at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Of each year’s graduates, about two-thirds continue on to graduate school in physics or related fields. Recent graduates have gone on to study physics at the University of Notre Dame, Columbia University, The Ohio State University, University of Michigan and University of Washington. Others have gone on to further study in such fields as neuroscience (New York University), economics (London University), engineering (Rensselaer), and environmental science (Humboldt State University, CA).
Not all students who major in Physics intend to pursue graduate studies in physics. The study of Physics fosters habits of thought that are useful in careers ranging from urban planning to business and from law to medical research. Physics majors with such interests should plan academic programs which include courses in other departments consistent with their career goals. In addition to a major in Physics, Earlham offers a 3-2 program in engineering, in which a student takes foundational science and distribution courses at Earlham for three years, then spends an additional two years earning an engineering degree at an accredited engineering school. At the end of those five years, the student then receives two degrees: a B.A. from Earlham and a B.S. from the engineering program. The program is described in more detail below. |
Faculty Ray
Hively John
Howell Paul Schmidt Contact information Department
of Physics & Astronomy or
Link here for a photo of the physics and astronomy faculty.
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The
basic training provided by a major in Physics gives the student experience
in experimental design, the analysis of data, computer usage, and analytical
reasoning in addition to an understanding of physical phenomena. A Physics
major therefore has wide vocational possibilities outside of research
physics. 
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may fulfil an Earlham general education requirement. (FA) = Fine Arts
(H) = Humanities (L) = Language (I) = Intercultural (M) = Multicultural
(NS) = Natural Science (R/Ph) = Religion and/or Philosophy (SS) =
Social Science (A) = Offered in alternate years