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!
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 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 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.
Students take advanced courses in areas such as electromagnetism, quantum mechanics, statistical mechanics and classical dynamics.
Learn MoreThe joint Five College Astronomy Department offers the benefits of a liberal-arts education while maintaining association with researchers of international stature.
Learn MoreThe telescopes on the Science Center's George I. Alden Trust Observation Deck are available for coursework, open houses, and general student use.
Learn moreWith laboratories, observatories, computer labs, a machine shop and an electronics shop, students have many opportunities to get hands-on experience in physics and astronomy.
Learn moreMany 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.
Learn MoreThe department holds weekly seminars and colloquia on current research topics. The talks are accessible to students.
Learn MorePhysics instruction at Amherst began in 1821. Experimental physics took off in 1952 and has included many notable faculty and students.
Learn MoreHow did our solar system form? Are planets like Earth typical or rare? This course will provide an introduction to the formation and evolution of solar systems, including an exploration of the geology, chemistry and biology of the planets in our own solar system.
This course applies physics to understand the astronomical phenomena related to galaxies. The structure and evolution of galaxies will be examined, exploring both the interrelationship of stars, gas, and dust in galaxies.
How can we understand both the static and dynamic shape of proteins using the laws of thermodynamics and kinetics? What design principles break down at the sub-cellular level? We will answer these questions by looking at bio-molecules, cellular substructures, and control mechanisms.
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.