The St. Olaf Physics Department, in the Faculty of Natural Science and Mathematics (FNSM), offers a strong major with excellent undergraduate research opportunities. St. Olaf is one of a small number of 4-year colleges in the U.S. averaging 10 or more Physics graduates per year. We also offer an array of courses to support work in other FNSM disciplines and provide introductions to physics and astronomy to a general audience. Please check out the links at the left side of this page to find out more about us.
*************************************************************************
Physics Summer Research 2009
A bakers-dozen of sophomore, junior and senior physics majors participated in research this summer with physics faculty members in 5 different groups. Projects ranged from an investigation of sub-atomic particles called positrons to a search for dark matter created at the origin of the universe. Others studied the spectra of vibrating molecules in an “atomic beam,” the physics of friction at the nano-scale, and the response of ice sheets in Antarctica to climate change. In most of these photos students are presenting the results of their research in a symposium at the conclusion of work in August.
Photos
