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Physics and Astronomy

Physics and Astronomy

Physicists’ findings shape society’s understanding of the universe, technological advancements, astronomical venturing, medicine, law, business and engineering.

Physics and astronomy majors at DePauw gain expansive knowledge into the way the world physically works – from the very large (structure of the universe) to the very small (atoms, nuclei and even smaller matter). Rigorous courses taught in small class environments enable personal connections between student and professor, which fuel student-faculty research, both on campus and in national and international collaborations. Students also collaborate in the classroom, as members of the Society of Physics Students, Sigma Pi Sigma physics honor society, and by conducting research in historic McKim Observatory.


Areas of Study

Majors


Internships

students launching a balloon w/Prof Brooks

Internships Students Have Participated In:

  • VERITAS (Very Energetic Radiation Imaging Telescope Array System), Fred Lawrence Whipple Observatory, Amado, AZ

  • Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM

  • Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN

  • NIST Center for Neutron Research, Gaithersburg, MD

  • Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility, Newport News, VA


Graduate Programs

Graduate schools students have attended:

  • Northwestern University

  • University of Michigan

  • Indiana University

  • Purdue University

  • University of Arizona

  • University of Kentucky

  • University of Minnesota

  • University of Pennsylvania

  • University of Wisconsin

  • Washington University in St. Louis

     

student in physics lab

FACULTY

  • Avery Archer, Ph.D., Washington University, St. Louis. Research interests: high-energy astrophysics and particle physics.
  • Howard Brooks, Ph.D., University of Missouri-Rolla. Research interests: conducting balloon-assisted stratospheric experiments.
  • Jacob Hale (on leave 2023-24), Ph.D., Purdue University. Research interests: high-speed fluid dynamics.
  • Mary Kertzman, Ph.D. , University of Minnesota. Research interests: high-energy gamma ray astrophysics.
  • Alexander Komives, Ph.D. , Indiana University. Research interests: nuclear physics and weak interactions.