Exploring nature from cosmic to quantum

With its world-renowned faculty and state-of-the-art facilities, the William H. Miller III Department of Physics and Astronomy combines the best aspects of a top research university with the more intimate learning environment typical of small liberal arts colleges.

  • Degrees Offered BA, BS, BA/MA, PhD
  • Major Physics
  • Minor Physics, Space Science and Engineering

Explore the Department

graduate students working on rocket in McCandliss lab

PhD Program

Graduate students have flexibility in choosing their course of research and designing their path through the program.

photo of Professor Tobias Marriage with undergrad students and satellite

Undergraduate

Whether your interest is in astronomy, condensed matter, particle physics, or plasma spectroscopy, you'll find state-of-the-art tools at your disposal.

faculty with two students working on project

Award-winning Faculty

Students have the opportunity to work with experts in a wide range of fields, even as undergraduates.

Upcoming Events

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Black hole coffee

Black (hole) Coffee is a space for students, postdocs, and professors to discuss cutting-edge research on all things black holes, spanning both observations and theory.

News & Announcements

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Rosemary F.G. Wyse Elected to National Academy of Sciences

Alumni Centennial Professor Rosemary F. G. Wyse is among 120 members and 30 international members elected to the National Academy of Sciences in 2025, in recognition of their distinguished and continuing achievements in original research. Her research focus is in the field of galaxy formation and evolution, with emphases on resolved stellar populations and the nature of...