Physics and Astronomy

Physics & Astronomy

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The Department of Physics & Astronomy is an acknowledged national leader in physics education for developing the Workshop Physics program, an innovative activity-based method for learning introductory physics. In classes, from the most basic to the most advanced, students engage in activities and projects complemented by interactive lectures.

All upper-level students do research in a state-of-the-art building with facilities for projects in optics, nonlinear dynamics of complex systems, plasma physics, pattern formation in magnetic fluids, material science, environmental physics and astronomy.

Students interested in astronomy help run the Kanev Planetarium and conduct research on the 24-inch telescope of the college’s Michael Britton Observatory.

Chair: Brett PearsonAssociate Professor of Physics & Astronomypearsonb@dickinson.edu
Department Coordinator: Tonya Millermillert@dickinson.edu

Phone: 717-245-1413
Fax: ---
Location: Tome Hall - Rector Science Complex Mailing Address

Department Features

Study Abroad

Current Courses

Student-Faculty Research

Student Outcomes

Where Our Students Go From Here

Jobs:

Bank of America
NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Teach for America
Tesla
Owens & Minor, Inc.
Revenue Solutions, Inc.
U.S. Naval Research Laboratory
Raytheon Technologies
Quintiq
United States Department of Agriculture
NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Wellman Center for Photomedicine at Massachusetts General Hospital
Decisive Analytics Corporation

Graduate Schools:

University of Illinois
Dartmouth College
University of Colorado
Arizona State University
University of Florida, Gainesville
University of Michigan
Harvard
MIT
Columbia University
Carnegie Mellon University
University of Pittsburgh
University of Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania State University
Wesleyan University
University of California, Berkeley
Clemson University

Where Our Students Have Done Research

Coherent, Inc.
Vassar College
University of Monash (Australia)
Princeton University
Lehigh University
Wellesley College
Oak Ridge National Lab
Fermi National Accelerator Lab
University of Maryland
Cornell Laboratory for Accelerator-based Sciences and Education
Kanazawa University
NASA/JPL

Student Perspective

"During my first semester I took Astrophysics 208 with Associate Professor of Physics & Astronomy Windsor Morgan. The other four students in the class were juniors, but they and Dr. Morgan made me feel like an equal member of the class. I was surprised to be included in the conversations, but now that I've gotten to know Dickinson, I know to expect it.”

—Gavin Frueh ’24

"I love the people in my major that I have met. They have so much passion for physics. The professors are equally passionate, and they are committed to their students. I also really like the Majors’ Room, a dedicated space for the physics majors to hang out and get work done, either collaboratively or independently."

—Lia Gilmore ’25

Physics & Astronomy

Department News

Graduate Story: Chris Steel '90

Chris Steel '90 evaluates emerging AI and machine-learning tech and develops customized plans for optimal use, leads a team of tech consultants, and has a patent pending for an AI-based tool.

Dickinson Celebrates Outstanding Research & Writing

Dickinson honors the winners of its annual FYS Excellence in Writing Award, the Prize for Excellence in First Year Research and the Research Prize for Sophomores or Juniors.

YouTube, Chatbots & Physics Research

“Nowhere else could I get as many opportunities as a freshman." Out of the gate, Noah Lape ’26 co-published a paper, contributed to a physics YouTube channel and coded chatbots.

Depth, Breadth and Belonging

“My goal is to return to my home country and share the knowledge and expertise I have gained." Meet Sebastian Valdez '26, an accomplished soccer player and aspiring civil engineer.

Dickinson to Host Senior Scientist From the National Center for Atmospheric Research

Linda Mearns, senior scientist in the Research Applications Lab of the National Center for Atmospheric Research, will discuss the uncertainties of climate change research.

Lars English Honored by the American Physical Society

Dickinson professor of physics earns 2024 Faculty Member for Research in an Undergraduate Institution recognition.

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Physics & Astronomy