Schimmel/Conrades Science Center
OWU’s 150,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art science center features an array of sophisticated equipment for hands-on use by OWU students.
Physics
In physics, you explore the universe, from the subatomic particles to massive galaxies. Physicists study the basic laws that govern the universe—and they develop innovations with practical applications, such as technologies in medicine, lasers, and computers.
About the Majors
The physics major provides excellent preparation for students interested in graduate school in physics or physics-related fields. It also provides useful background and skills that are helpful for careers in engineering, computer programming, medicine, law, secondary education, and other related fields. Most students take additional mathematics or computer science courses dealing with topics of their choice, such as advanced calculus, numerical analysis, complex variables, and computer programming languages.
Ohio Wesleyan offers three degree options for physics majors to align with their career goals.
- The Physics Bachelor of Arts degree provides you with exposure to the depth and breadth of physics while maintaining the academic rigor required for successful entry into a broad variety of graduate programs and career options.
- The Physics Bachelor of Science degree includes a stronger emphasis on preparing students for more advanced study in physics or direct entry into professional‐level employment where a physics background is preferred.
- The Physics Bachelor of Arts with Pre-Engineering Option (3-2 Program) is an interdisciplinary program that combines an education in the liberal arts with one in engineering. You graduate with two degrees after spending three years at OWU and two years at an engineering school.
Related Minors
Think Big
All Physics and Astrophysics majors complete a year-long research project during their senior year. This gives them an opportunity to put what they've learned in their classes into practice and helps to prepare them for jobs or graduate school.
Many Physics majors participate in OWU's Summer Science Research Program, and many present their research at undergraduate research forums on campus and across the country.
Go Global
The OWU Connection provides a variety of ways for you to expand your learning off campus and overseas.
From your first year on campus, you can take Travel-Learning Courses. You can also pursue OWU Connection Grants to conduct research off campus or spend a semester at another university in the U.S. or abroad.
Get Real
Build your experience and connections to the professional world with internships and research opportunities at major laboratory facilities.
Physics in Florida
Colin Hawes ’20 (left) and Dexter Allen ’21 traveled to Florida State University with professor Robert Haring-Kaye in 2019. They studied and measured radiation emitted during energy release from neutron-rich atomic nuclei with high angular momentum.
Studying Neutrino Physics
Diego Venegas Vargas '19 spent Summer 2018 studying neutrino physics with Alfredo Galindo-Urribari of the Physics Division of Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Tennessee.
Level Scheme and Spin Assignments
Michael Heeschen '20 participated in the Summer Science Research Program, where he studied fundamental properties of heavier nuclei like gallium.
Inspired Teaching
OWU faculty are outstanding scholars and researchers — and passionate teachers. They will push you, challenge you, inspire you, and work with you on your own research and creative projects.
They can even pack a 3-minute lecture with ideas, insight, and imagination. Check out our unique I³ lectures.
Highlights
Summer Science Research Program
This 10-week program gives students the opportunity to carry out cutting-edge research side by side with faculty mentors.
Electronics & Computing
A 10-node Beowulf computing cluster and a complete electronics lab are available for student research projects.
Society of Physics Students
The OWU Chapter of this student organization has received the national Blake Lilly Prize for positively influencing the attitudes of school children and the general public about physics.
Graduate Outcomes
Mustapha Habib ’19
After graduating, Mustapha is a test engineer at Hypres, Inc. in Elmsford, New York. While at OWU, Mustapha conducted research on the behavior of several superconducting circuit components.
A Look at Physics
Physics Research— Dexter Allen ’21 and Colin Hawes ’20 joined professor Robert Haring-Kaye at Florida State University in 2019 to study and measure radiation emitted during energy release from neutron-rich atomic nuclei with high angular momentum.
Physics Research
Dexter Allen ’21 and Colin Hawes ’20 joined professor Robert Haring-Kaye at Florida State University in 2019 to study and measure radiation emitted during energy release from neutron-rich atomic nuclei with high angular momentum.
I³ Lecture by Dr. Robert Harmon— Has anyone ever told you that you are star material?
I³ Lecture by Dr. Robert Harmon
Has anyone ever told you that you are star material?
Physics Research— Colin Hawes ’20 (left) and Dexter Allen ’21 traveled to Florida State University with professor Robert Haring-Kaye in 2019. They studied and measured radiation emitted during energy release from neutron-rich atomic nuclei with high angular momentum.
Physics Research
Colin Hawes ’20 (left) and Dexter Allen ’21 traveled to Florida State University with professor Robert Haring-Kaye in 2019. They studied and measured radiation emitted during energy release from neutron-rich atomic nuclei with high angular momentum.
Stonehenge Visit— Students in Professor Harmon's Elementary Astronomy Travel-Learning class visited Stonehenge in England.
Stonehenge Visit
Students in Professor Harmon's Elementary Astronomy Travel-Learning class visited Stonehenge in England.
Doctoral Studies— Physics professor Robert Haring-Kaye (left) catches up with Taimur Islam ’13 during Islam’s visit to campus to deliver a presentation to students on internet safety and data encryption in the era of quantum computing. Islam is currently a postdoctoral researcher at Ohio State University.
Doctoral Studies
Physics professor Robert Haring-Kaye (left) catches up with Taimur Islam ’13 during Islam’s visit to campus to deliver a presentation to students on internet safety and data encryption in the era of quantum computing. Islam is currently a postdoctoral researcher at Ohio State University.
Video: Atom Smashers
Video: Atom Smashers
Perkins Observatory
Perkins Observatory
It's About Time— In a micro-lecture, Professor Barbara Andereck asks, "What is time? We talk about time all the time, but do we really know what it is?"
It's About Time
In a micro-lecture, Professor Barbara Andereck asks, "What is time? We talk about time all the time, but do we really know what it is?"
Department Contact Info
Location
Schimmel/Conrades Science Center
Delaware, OH 43015
Delaware, OH 43015
Department Contact
Chair: Robert Harmon
Professor of Physics and Astronomy
Schimmel/Conrades Science Center 131
740-368-3778
roharmon@owu.edu
Academic Assistant: Judy Arlington
Schimmel/Conrades Science Center 201
740-368-3907
jaarlington@owu.edu
Professor of Physics and Astronomy
Schimmel/Conrades Science Center 131
740-368-3778
roharmon@owu.edu
Academic Assistant: Judy Arlington
Schimmel/Conrades Science Center 201
740-368-3907
jaarlington@owu.edu