Physics and Astronomy

http://physics.gmu.edu

“Lasers, transistors, magnetic resonance imaging, the World Wide Web, stuff once found in science fiction and wild imaginations—the study of physics led to these technologies.”

Professor John Eric Goff has focused his research on sports, in particular soccer, which he believes is “a living laboratory where physics equations are continuously expressed. …The outcomes of miraculous plays can be explained simply in terms of the underlying physics.”

As personal electronics continue to shrink in size, liquid crystals, in the form of holographs, may be the answer to more efficient and rewriteable data storage.

New laser imaging techniques that can overcome visual distortions may mean advances in deep tissue imaging and even nanosurgery.

Students who pursue and achieve an undergraduate degree in physics are prepared for many career paths, including astronomy, computers, engineering, patent law, medicine, science writing or reporting, as well as teaching.

Research, Internship and Career Opportunities

Get involved and make a difference

Students at Arecibo Observatory As part of a five-year National Science Foundation grant, Professor Jessica Rosenberg will recruit both undergraduate and graduate students to work on active research projects that lead to graduate work as well as teaching.

Michael Summers For more information, contact Dr. Rosenberg or the department chair, Mike Summers. Dr. Summers is co-investigator with NASA’s New Horizons mission to Pluto.