Department of Physics

Are there more than three spatial dimensions to the universe?
What is time?
What will be the ultimate fate of the universe?
Why can't I unmix the cream from my coffee?
What happens if two atomic nuclei collide at nearly the speed of light?

Physicists explore questions such as these, studying the behavior of nature from the largest to the smallest scales, and from the fundamental to the immediately practical. Albert Einstein once wrote that "the most incomprehensible thing about the universe is that it is comprehensible." Physics is concerned with discovering patterns and regularities in nature and finding ways to describe and explain these patterns in order to help us better understand the world around us.

Physics Major Lisa Simpson wins Undergraduate Research Prize at AAS meeting!

Please see here for more info on the award, and here for the abstract of the work.

Special News Item: Physics Majors/Minors attend national Physics Congress.

For further details see Press Release, or the article by Steven La Count. Witt Students at Physics Congress (group (l), with Freeman Dyson (r))

Wittenberg's physics program is designed to give you a foundation of sufficient depth and breadth to enable you to pursue physics at the graduate level or to embark on other technical careers. Our curriculum emphasizes hands-on experience with laboratory equipment and computer applications as well as the development of technical communication skills, all of which are highly valued by employers and graduate programs.

All physics majors gain research experience in a senior capstone project of their choosing; faculty are active in mentoring students in these capstone projects. Many students do additional research or participate in off-campus internships. Our students regularly present their research at national and regional professional society meetings. Many physics majors find on-campus employment as tutors in physics or the Math Workshop, or assisting faculty with special projects.

More than 60% of Wittenberg physics majors go on to graduate school in physics, astronomy, engineering, or related fields. Graduate programs attended by our recent graduates include:

University of Michigan, physics
Notre Dame University, physics
University of Wisconsin, physics
University of Arizona, planetary science
University of Virginia, materials science and engineering
Cornell University, electrical engineering
University of Wisconsin, electrical engineering
University of Virginia, biomedical engineering
University of Maryland, Applied Mathematics and Scientific Computing
Air Force Institute of Technology, nuclear engineering
Univ. of California Riverside, bioengineering

Physicists have knowledge and skills that are applicable to a wide range of problems. Consequently, physicists are always in demand by employers. Jobs held by our recent graduates include:

Radiation Detection System Analyst, Science Applications International Corp., McLean, VA
Signal Processing engineer, Ball Aerospace, Dayton, OH
Patent agent, K&L Gates LLP, Chicago, IL
Assistant Professor of Physics, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL
Product Delivery engineer, Teleflex Medical, Boston, MA
Packaging Engineer, Abbott Nutrition, Columbus, OH
High school physics teacher, Dayton, OH

Physics Department in the News:

The Department has just joined the Physics Teacher Education Coalition (PhysTEC).
Interested in teaching High School Physics? Wittenberg just received approval for its program of teacher certification in High School (Grades 7-12) Physics--Major in Physics, minor in Education and be certified to teach Physics in Ohio public schools!
Look forward to new course options coming! The Physics department recently added new topics to Physics 325: Plasma Physics and Biomedical Physics!
Interested in Teaching Science? Noyce Scholarships available for future science teachers! Local announcement here. For more details contact Physics Dept. Chair Dr. Ellizabeth George: egeorge"at"wittenberg.edu
Our own Dan Fleisch receives Ohio Teacher of the Year Award! Congratulations Dan!
Dr. Jeremiah Williams receives 2 prestigious National Science Foundation Grants: MRI & CAREER
Witt Physics Major receives selective scholarship
Hagelberg Fund for Outside the Classroom experiences established
Department Featured in Wittenberg Magazine
Witt Physics Professor Dan Fleisch Writes Best-Selling Book

Memorial: Professor Emeritus, Art Lutz

Mission statement:

The Physics Department's goals are to:

provide a rigorous, flexible, and effective curriculum for physics majors and minors, with sufficient depth of study for those students who expect to pursue physics, astronomy, or engineering at the graduate level, or embark on technical careers
provide effective and relevant service courses for the many students whose majors or career goals require physics or astronomy courses
provide effective and engaging courses for the many students who choose to take physics or astronomy courses as part of the breadth of a liberal arts education.

Physics majors pursuing a career in secondary education in math and science may be eligible for the Robert C. Noyce Scholarship. Learn more about the Noyce Scholarship on the Wittenberg Noyce Scholarship homepage.