Department of Physics

Physics: laying the groundwork for tomorrow's innovations

What do oceans, black holes, atoms, computers, and traffic jams have in common? Physics.

Physics is the most fundamental and all-inclusive of the sciences. Physicists probe the far reaches of space and the depths of the ocean; investigate the structure of the atom; design and program computers; solve environmental problems; and develop new manufacturing materials. Research in physics has paved the way for technological innovations such as the Internet, cell phones, lasers, fuel cells, diagnostic techniques in medicine, and solid-state electronics. Physicists lead some of the world's major technology companies.