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.

In addition, the Department of Physics & Astronomy is home to the editorial office of the American Journal of Physics, where Professor David Jackson acts as the editor.

 

 

 

 

American Journal of Physics

American Journal of Physics

 

 

 

 

 

Contact Info

Chair:
Catrina Hamilton-Drager
Associate Professor of Physics & Astronomy
hamiltoc@dickinson.edu

Department Coordinator:
Tonya Miller
millert@dickinson.edu

Phone:
717-245-1413
Fax:
717-245-1642

Location:
Tome Hall - Rector Science Complex
Mailing Address



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Lights Out

Dickinson’s Department of Physics & Astronomy hosts campus eclipse-viewing event.

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Research Revealed

The 32nd Annual Science Student Research Symposium highlights wide-ranging work with potential implications on climate change, sustainable pest control and more.

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Challenge and Fit

Ruthie Strauss ’18 has found Dickinson's physics department to be as challenging as it is rewarding and feels the tight-knit campus community is the perfect fit.