Learning physics by doing physics!

Our physics courses are based on the philosophy that you must construct your own understanding.

Probing nature with experiments, physicists try to find basic principles, usually stated as mathematical models that explain as economically as possible the phenomena they encounter. Anyone can gain an appreciation for physics at the descriptive level, but the field appeals most to people who enjoy solving problems, constructing models, and experimenting with nature.

Degrees

  • Bachelor of Arts, Physics

    To provide background in basic physics, emphasizing laboratory skills and knowledge which students will need in industrial or government employment or a science teaching career; to stress applications of analytical software and mathematical techniques.

  • Minor, Physics

    A student may minor in physics by completing five courses or 18 semester hours as follows: 201, 202, 311, and two additional courses, both of which must be at the 300 or 400 level.

  • Bachelor of Arts, Physics- Teacher Preparation- 6-12 Secondary

    To enable students to meet Virginia requirements for licensure to teach physics and, under certain circumstances, other related subjects.

  • Bachelor of Science, Physics- Teacher Preparation- 6-12 Secondary

    To enable students to meet Virginia requirements for licensure to teach physics and, under certain circumstances, other related subjects.

  • Bachelor of Science, Physics

    To provide background in basic physics preparing students for entry into graduate school or engineering programs; to stress applications of analytical software and mathematical techniques.

Student Research

  • <h4 class="lw_blurbs_title">E&H physics major Madison Jackson presents her work at the 2018 NIMBioS conference in Knoxville, TN</h4><div class="lw_blurbs_body"><p><picture class="lw_image lw_image5684 lw_align_left"> <source type="image/webp" media="(max-width: 500px)" srcset="/live/image/gid/32/width/500/height/333/5684_30680367827_fabaf127b5_o_2.rev.1543075467.webp 1x, /live/image/scale/2x/gid/32/width/500/height/333/5684_30680367827_fabaf127b5_o_2.rev.1543075467.webp 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/32/width/500/height/333/5684_30680367827_fabaf127b5_o_2.rev.1543075467.webp 3x"/> <source type="image/webp" media="(min-width: 501px)" srcset="/live/image/gid/32/width/610/height/406/5684_30680367827_fabaf127b5_o_2.rev.1543075467.webp 1x, /live/image/scale/2x/gid/32/width/610/height/406/5684_30680367827_fabaf127b5_o_2.rev.1543075467.webp 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/32/width/610/height/406/5684_30680367827_fabaf127b5_o_2.rev.1543075467.webp 3x"/> <source type="image/jpeg" media="(max-width: 500px)" srcset="/live/image/gid/32/width/500/height/333/5684_30680367827_fabaf127b5_o_2.rev.1543075467.jpg 1x, /live/image/scale/2x/gid/32/width/500/height/333/5684_30680367827_fabaf127b5_o_2.rev.1543075467.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/32/width/500/height/333/5684_30680367827_fabaf127b5_o_2.rev.1543075467.jpg 3x"/> <source type="image/jpeg" media="(min-width: 501px)" srcset="/live/image/gid/32/width/610/height/406/5684_30680367827_fabaf127b5_o_2.rev.1543075467.jpg 1x, /live/image/scale/2x/gid/32/width/610/height/406/5684_30680367827_fabaf127b5_o_2.rev.1543075467.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/32/width/610/height/406/5684_30680367827_fabaf127b5_o_2.rev.1543075467.jpg 3x"/> <img width="610" height="406" alt="E&H physics major Madison Jackson presents her poster at the 2018 NIMBioS undergraduate resea..." src="/live/image/gid/32/width/610/height/406/5684_30680367827_fabaf127b5_o_2.rev.1543075467.jpg" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/32/width/610/height/406/5684_30680367827_fabaf127b5_o_2.rev.1543075467.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/32/width/610/height/406/5684_30680367827_fabaf127b5_o_2.rev.1543075467.jpg 3x" data-max-w="2048" data-max-h="1362" loading="lazy"/> </picture> </p></div>
  • <h4 class="lw_blurbs_title">Photo-Therapy Robot Project</h4><div class="lw_blurbs_body"><p><picture class="lw_image lw_image2110 lw_align_left lw_block"> <source type="image/webp" media="(max-width: 500px)" srcset="/live/image/gid/32/width/500/height/282/2110_pastedImage.rev.1515864265.png 1x"/> <source type="image/webp" media="(min-width: 501px)" srcset="/live/image/gid/32/width/600/height/338/2110_pastedImage.rev.1515864265.png 1x"/> <source type="image/png" media="(max-width: 500px)" srcset="/live/image/gid/32/width/500/height/282/2110_pastedImage.rev.1515864265.png 1x"/> <source type="image/png" media="(min-width: 501px)" srcset="/live/image/gid/32/width/600/height/338/2110_pastedImage.rev.1515864265.png 1x"/> <img width="600" height="338" alt="Photo-therapy for plants" src="/live/image/gid/32/width/600/height/338/2110_pastedImage.rev.1515864265.png" data-max-w="600" data-max-h="338" loading="lazy"/> </picture> </p><p> Physics and engineering students are currently involved in a project to design, build, and field-test an automated supplemental-light delivery system that could enable local farmers to productively grow crops not well adapted to the area. This project is being done in cooperation with Kelly Ridge Farms, in Meadowview, Virginia.</p></div>
  • <h4 class="lw_blurbs_title">E&H students attend the 2018 NIMBioS Conference in Knoxville, TN</h4><div class="lw_blurbs_body"><p><picture class="lw_image lw_image5683 lw_align_left"> <source type="image/webp" media="(max-width: 500px)" srcset="/live/image/gid/32/width/500/height/281/5683_NIMBioS_students_photo_2.rev.1543075027.webp 1x"/> <source type="image/webp" media="(min-width: 501px)" srcset="/live/image/gid/32/width/610/height/343/5683_NIMBioS_students_photo_2.rev.1543075027.webp 1x"/> <source type="image/jpeg" media="(max-width: 500px)" srcset="/live/image/gid/32/width/500/height/281/5683_NIMBioS_students_photo_2.rev.1543075027.jpg 1x"/> <source type="image/jpeg" media="(min-width: 501px)" srcset="/live/image/gid/32/width/610/height/343/5683_NIMBioS_students_photo_2.rev.1543075027.jpg 1x"/> <img width="610" height="343" alt="Students attend the 2018 Annual Undergraduate Research Conference at the Interface of Biology and..." src="/live/image/gid/32/width/610/height/343/5683_NIMBioS_students_photo_2.rev.1543075027.jpg" data-max-w="960" data-max-h="540" loading="lazy"/> </picture> </p></div>
  • <h4 class="lw_blurbs_title">E&H physics major Joe Tolone presents his work at the 2019 SESAPS conference</h4><div class="lw_blurbs_body"><p><picture class="lw_image lw_image7446 lw_align_left"> <source type="image/webp" media="(max-width: 500px)" srcset="/live/image/gid/32/width/500/height/375/7446_20191107_181453.rev.1581903506.webp 1x, /live/image/scale/2x/gid/32/width/500/height/375/7446_20191107_181453.rev.1581903506.webp 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/32/width/500/height/375/7446_20191107_181453.rev.1581903506.webp 3x"/> <source type="image/webp" media="(min-width: 501px)" srcset="/live/image/gid/32/width/610/height/458/7446_20191107_181453.rev.1581903506.webp 1x, /live/image/scale/2x/gid/32/width/610/height/458/7446_20191107_181453.rev.1581903506.webp 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/32/width/610/height/458/7446_20191107_181453.rev.1581903506.webp 3x"/> <source type="image/jpeg" media="(max-width: 500px)" srcset="/live/image/gid/32/width/500/height/375/7446_20191107_181453.rev.1581903506.jpg 1x, /live/image/scale/2x/gid/32/width/500/height/375/7446_20191107_181453.rev.1581903506.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/32/width/500/height/375/7446_20191107_181453.rev.1581903506.jpg 3x"/> <source type="image/jpeg" media="(min-width: 501px)" srcset="/live/image/gid/32/width/610/height/458/7446_20191107_181453.rev.1581903506.jpg 1x, /live/image/scale/2x/gid/32/width/610/height/458/7446_20191107_181453.rev.1581903506.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/32/width/610/height/458/7446_20191107_181453.rev.1581903506.jpg 3x"/> <img width="610" height="458" alt="Physics major Joe Tolone presents his work at the 2019 Southeastern Section of the American Physi..." src="/live/image/gid/32/width/610/height/458/7446_20191107_181453.rev.1581903506.jpg" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/32/width/610/height/458/7446_20191107_181453.rev.1581903506.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/32/width/610/height/458/7446_20191107_181453.rev.1581903506.jpg 3x" data-max-w="3200" data-max-h="2400" loading="lazy"/> </picture> <span class="lw_image_caption lw_align_left" style="width: 610px">Physics major Joe Tolone presents his work at the 2019 Southeastern Section of the American Physical Society Conference at UNC Wilmington</span></p></div>