Department ofPhysics and Astronomy

All physics and astronomy majors have the opportunity to perform meaningful and potentially publishable research, working closely with our faculty.

Our current research areas include quantum computing, observational cosmology, nonlinear physics and fluid dynamics, extragalactic astronomy, biophysics, and nanoscience.

Explore some of our virtual talks and presentations

Research and Faculty involvement

For seniors doing original research, many students begin work with a Haverford professor for 10 weeks in the summer before the senior year, and continue it for academic credit during the school year. Some students instead perform research off-campus (e.g. at an REU site) during the summer before their senior year, and then develop this into a senior thesis under the supervision of a Haverford professor, with continued input from the summer research supervisor. The proportion is larger in astronomy because a higher proportion of off-campus opportunities are available, including those at other colleges which are part of the Keck Northeast Astronomy Consortium. The rest of our students begin original research in their senior year, either directly with a Haverford professor or in an area outside the specific expertise of any of the faculty.