The Latest:

Senior Thesis Talks

Join the Physics and Astronomy department to hear this year's senior thesis talks.  Refreshments begin at 3:30 pm and the talks at 4 pm in Science Center room A011. 

Talks will be held on December 5th and 12th!

Physics and Astronomy Winter Party

Physics and Astronomy faculty, staff, and students are invited to join us for a festive party to celebrate the end of the semester! Refreshments will be served, fun surprises will be had, and winter songs will be sung.

Science Center Room A011

3:00pm- 4:00pm

 

Cailin Plunkett '23 Receives 2023 LeRoy Apker Award

Cailin Plunkett ’23 has received the American Physical Society’s prestigious 2023 LeRoy Apker Award, which each year recognizes just two undergraduate students from across the U.S. for their outstanding achievements in physics–in Plunkett’s case, for her groundbreaking undergraduate thesis work on still-forming planets. 

Department Highlights

About Physics & Astronomy

Physics Major

Students take advanced courses in areas such as electromagnetism, quantum mechanics, statistical mechanics and classical dynamics.

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space

Astronomy Major

The joint Five College Astronomy Department offers the benefits of a liberal-arts education while maintaining association with researchers of international stature.

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Five telescopes on the Science Center roof. Two have equatorial mounts. Three have alt-azimuth mounts.

Observatory

The telescopes on the Science Center's George I. Alden Trust Observation Deck are available for coursework, open houses, and general student use.

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About Physics

Facilities

With laboratories, observatories, computer labs, a machine shop and an electronics shop, students have many opportunities to get hands-on experience in physics and astronomy.

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About Physics & Astronomy

After Amherst

Many of our majors go on to some of the best graduate programs in physics, astronomy and related areas. Others enter careers ranging from medicine to science writing to secondary-school teaching.

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About Physics & Astronomy

Seminars & Colloquia

The department holds weekly seminars and colloquia on current research topics. The talks are accessible to students.

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About Physics & Astronomy

Our History

Physics instruction at Amherst began in 1821. Experimental physics took off in 1952 and has included many notable faculty and students.

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Physics & Astronomy Courses

Current Courses

Summer Robotics with Professor Ashley Carter

August 8, 2018

A team of six students from across several fields of study spent part of the summer assembling Eugene, a soccer-playing robot for the 2018 American Society of Mechanical Engineers Student Design Competition.