Physics

Degree Type Bachelor of Science

Department Physics and Engineering

Academic Division The College

Offerings

The Physics Program at Washington and Lee University prepares students to discover new knowledge and refine current ideas for the advancement of society. Building upon a foundation in theory and concepts, students apply critical thinking to analytical, computational, and experimental methods, which fosters in them a universal approach that promotes success in any field.

Why Study Physics?

Physics is crucial to understanding the world around us, the world inside us, and the world beyond us. It is the oldest, most basic and fundamental science. Through completion of the program, our physics majors will:

Apply fundamental physics theory and concepts.
Integrate fundamental physics concepts to comprehend advanced topics.
Simulate and model physics problems using mathematical and computational methods.
Gain proficiency with instrumentation, equipment, and hardware employed in physics experimentation.
Process data, identify trends and interpret results from physics measurements or simulations.
Design and conduct physics experiments.
Demonstrate awareness of current lines of inquiry in physics or related interdisciplinary areas.
Identify valid technical resources and extract relevant information.
Communicate scientific information through written and oral presentations for either technical or general audiences.
Articulate the role of physics in society.

Opportunities for Students

Research with faculty on campus: Students work with faculty on research projects during the year for credit, or over the summer for credit and paid stipend.

Research opportunities and internships: Students are encouraged and supported by faculty to participate in research and internship summer programs outside of W&L. Our students routinely participate in National Science Foundation-funded programs at various research universities, as well as at NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology) and
CERN (The European Organization for Nuclear Research). The department website maintains a listing of off-campus research opportunities.

Intro Physics TAs: Physics, Engineering, and Integrated Engineering majors
(or sophomores by invitation who intend to major) who meet the minimum requirements can apply to become a teaching assistant for the Introductory Physics labs.

Conferences: Our research students often present their work at the American Physical Society National Conference and other national and international conferences. For example, our students participated at conferences in Seoul, South Korea, Madrid, Spain and Lyon and Paris, France.

Publications: We are very proud to have our students as co-authors. Our research students publish in prestigious journals such as Physical Review A, Physical Review E, Physica A, and the Journal of Statistical Mechanics.

Joel Kuehner

Department Head

P: 540-458-8153

E: kuehnerj@wlu.edu

Tanya Bennett

Administrative Assistant

P: 540-458-8882

E: tbennett@wlu.edu

Sample Courses

At W&L, we believe education and experience go hand-in-hand. You'll be encouraged to dive in, explore and discover connections that will broaden your perspective.

PHYS 151

Stellar Evolution and Cosmology

An introduction to the physics and astronomy of stellar systems and the universe, including the formation and lifecycle of stars, stellar systems, galaxies, and the universe as a whole according to “Big Bang” cosmology. Observational aspects of astronomy are also emphasized, including optics and telescopes, star maps, and knowledge of constellations. Geometry, trigonometry, algebra, and logarithms are used in the course.

PHYS 102

Physics and Perception of Music

Explores physical principles of sound production and music perception. Hands-on investigation is emphasized and topics include: wave properties and propagation, harmonic series and spectral analysis, tuning temperaments, response of the human ear, auditory processing, room acoustics, audio recording and reproduction technologies, characterization of various instrument families (strings, brass, woodwind, percussion, and voice).

PHYS 275

Electricity and Magnetism

An introduction to the classical theory of electric and magnetic fields. The basic equations of electromagnetism (Maxwell’s equations) are developed through a study of electrostatics, steady-state magnetism, and electromagnetic induction.

PHYS 285

Optics

A study of the properties of electromagnetic waves with special emphasis on visible light. Wave descriptions are developed for scattering, reflection, refraction, interference, diffraction, and polarization. Topics in geometrical optics are also studied, including lenses and aberration theory.

PHYS 125

Particle Physics at CERN

This course introduces students to basic theoretical and phenomenological concepts of the structure of matter at the atomic and nuclear level. Students learn about the fundamental particles and their interactions in the context of the groundbreaking experiments that are underway at CERN (the European Organization for Nuclear Research), the world’s leader in particle physics research and the host of the Large Hadron Collider. The course includes traditional lectures as well as seminar-type workshops and computational projects, and culminates with a ten-day trip to Switzerland to visit CERN, Geneva, and Bern.

Meet the Faculty

At W&L, students enjoy small classes and close relationships with professors who educate and nurture.

Joel Kuehner Professor of Physics and Engineering, Department Head

Kuehner teaches courses in entry-level engineering, mechanics, thermodynamics and fluid mechanics. His recent research focuses on periodic water flows and oscillatory natural convection to uncover the causes of periodic behavior. In his Fluid Diagnostics Lab, research examines turbulent mixing mechanics. Students acquire flow properties such as temperature or velocity using laser-based methods that do not disturb the flow.

Anushika Athauda Visiting Instructor of Physics

Athauda instructs in general physics and general physics laboratory. Her research mainly involves investigating structure of matter using neutron and x-ray diffraction, particularly, investigating the structure-property relationship of disordered systems and superconductors.

Kacie D’Alessandro Assistant Professor of Physics and Engineering

D’Alessandro teaches courses in general engineering, mechanics and materials science. Her research interests include design of concrete structures, ultra-high-performance concrete, and innovative concrete applications. In her Concrete Lab, students investigate development of concrete mixes, mixing practices, testing practices, material property determination, structural behavior, and structural analysis techniques.

Jonathan Erickson Associate Professor of Physics and Engineering

Erickson’s courses include Physics and Perception of Music, Electronics, and Bioengineering and Bioinspired Design. His research interests include biomedical signal processing for gastrointestinal electrical activity patterns. In his Bioelectronics Lab, students develop electronics hardware and software algorithms to measure and analyze dynamic patterns of electrical activity in the gastrointestinal tract that coordinate muscular contractions. Students also develop techniques for guiding hybrid insect robots.

Dan Mazilu Associate Professor of Physics

Mazilu teaches courses in general physics, classical mechanics, electricity and magnetism, and special topics in contemporary physics. His research interests include experimental and theoretical studies of self-assembled nanoparticle monolayers, as well as interdisciplinary projects in the field of complex systems.

Irina Mazilu Professor of Physics

Irina Mazilu teaches courses in general physics, statistical physics, nuclear physics and computational modeling of physical systems. Her current projects include nanoparticle self-assembly and applications of statistical physics to social sciences.

Tom McClain Visiting Assistant Professor of Physics

Professor McClain teaches General Physics for first-year students. His research interests include quantum theories of gravity, gravitational wave astronomy, philosophy of physics, and mobile and cloud-based physics simulations for education.

David Sukow Robert Lee Telford Professor of Physics

Sukow’s courses include Stellar Evolution and Cosmology, Modern Physics, Optics, and Quantum Mechanics. His research involves nonlinear dynamics in semiconductor lasers, and is beginning to include astrophysics.

the Columns

Our students, faculty and staff make news on campus and around the world.