Physics

The Department of Physics at Grove City College offers four robust majors: a B.S. in Physics, a B.S. in Physics/Computer, a B.S. in Physics & Secondary Education, and a B.S. in Physics & General Science Secondary Education. As a student in our rigorous program, you will have access to cutting-edge equipment and facilities, unique research experiences beginning freshman year, summer research opportunities with respected institutions like Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab, and passionate faculty mentors who will guide you to investigate God’s creation with awe and wonder. Upon graduation, you will be prepared to pursue a wide range of both technical and non-technical careers with leading companies and organizations like NSA, Lockheed Martin, Space Telescope Science Institute, and Westinghouse Electric. Alternatively, you might pursue a graduate degree at a prestigious university such as Johns Hopkins, Carnegie Mellon, Notre Dame, or Vanderbilt.

The department is a member of the Physics Teacher Education Coalition (PhysTEC) and has been studied as an example of a successful physics department by the national SPIN-UP task force.

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Department Overview

Untangle the mysteries of God’s universe.

When you study physics at Grove City College, you will launch into a quest for Truth that extends from the largest intergalactic structures to the smallest sub-atomic particles. Through experiential learning and discussion, you will be guided to grapple with current scientific views and ground your understanding of physics in the knowledge of God as Creator. As you learn the laws of physics and apply them to real-world situations, you will build a knowledge base and skill set that translates to practically every scientific and technical discipline.

Find your passion, pursue your calling.

From naval nuclear propulsion to radiation oncology to computer programming to optics research, physics opens doors to a vast array of exciting careers. As you build your foundation, you will have academic freedom to specialize and conduct research in a broad range of fields — approaching problems from experimental, theoretical, computational, and educational perspectives. You will also be able to minor in medical physics or astronomy (rarely offered as a minor at most schools). Additionally, faculty will walk alongside you to offer guidance as you develop your passions and solidify your career path.

Engage with faculty, build community.

Our faculty are innovative teachers and caring mentors who prioritize one-on-one interaction with students — a rarity at most large universities. From “Pizza with the Profs” and department game nights, to sledding parties and the Physics Day outreach for local schoolchildren, our faculty foster a unique department culture and strong sense of community. The Grove City College Physics Club also provides a platform to build community and grow in servant leadership with fellow physics students.

Grow professionally through real-world research opportunities.

Because research is an essential component of being a physicist, we offer students the opportunity to engage in scientific investigation from day one of freshman year. As you conduct independent research, you will be involved at every level — from choosing a topic and specifying experimental protocol to purchasing equipment and conducting experiments. You will also strengthen teamwork and communication skills as you collaborate with faculty and students, present your findings at conferences, and pursue publication in leading science and education journals. Grove City College students routinely present their research across the country — from regional meetings of the American Physical Society to national AAPT and Physics Education Research meetings as well as PhysCon.

In addition to research with Grove City’s faculty, you will be able to pursue summer research opportunities at labs and institutions worldwide, such as Los Alamos National Laboratory, Army Research Labs, Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, Notre Dame, and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

Access cutting-edge equipment.

As a student in our program, you will have access to cutting-edge equipment in the classroom and laboratory, including a high-resolution fluorescence spectrometer, ultra-fast high-power infrared laser, several sputtering systems, a scanning electron microscope with X-ray spectrometer, and much more. You will also benefit from Grove City College’s two observatories located on campus and in nearby Edinboro, Pa.

Enjoy amazing career outcomes.

Like 95% of Grove City graduates, you will be ready to pursue further education at top schools nationwide or compete for full-time employment within six months of graduation. Many of our graduates have gained admittance to respected programs at institutions such as University of Pennsylvania, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Oxford University, Johns Hopkins, Temple, Vanderbilt Medical Physics, University of Maryland, Georgia Tech, and Penn State. Others are working with leading companies and institutions such as Westinghouse Electric, NSA, Lockheed Martin, Intel, Google, John’s Hopkins Research Lab, Edmund Optics, U.S. Army, Prison Fellowship, and Lincoln Electric, while some teach at the middle or high school level or pursue degrees in seminary, medical school, or law school. Wherever you end up, you will have the expertise, teamwork skills, and confidence to make an impact through physics and fulfill your God-given calling.

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