The faculty and students of the Physics Department engage in theoretical and experimental research that spans most of the central topics of modern physics. We have substantial groups of people working in the areas of theoretical and observational cosmology, theoretical and experimental condensed matter physics, experimental high-energy physics, theoretical particle physics and string theory, experimental atomic and nuclear physics, mathematical physics and, finally, biological physics. The department has decades-old traditions of excellence and leadership in the core areas of fundamental physics and it is also rapidly building strength in newer areas, such as biological physics and materials science. In the newer areas, interaction between Physics and other departments is critical and major university-supported interdisciplinary initiatives provide a strong framework for this cooperation.
Each research group consists of several senior faculty members working closely with junior faculty and graduate students and, often, with undergraduates doing their junior paper and senior thesis projects. The work is done mainly in the Joseph Henry Laboratories of Jadwin Hall on campus but also at laboratories and instruments around the world, from the South Pole to Earth orbit. The excitement and quality of the research that is done here creates an exceptional learning environment for students at all levels. We invite you to find out more about the activities of these groups by exploring the links under Research Groups.