Bachelor of Science [B.S] [Physics] From Vanderbilt University

In courses in physics and astronomy, students learn fundamental knowledge about mechanics and Newton’s laws, the magnetic and electrical properties of matter, quantum and statistical mechanics, dark matter and dark energy as well as the applied, quantum mechanical properties of nanodevices, the uses of lasers in genetics research and surgery, and the forces cells use to move.  No matter what the question -- How and when did the universe come to be? Why is matter sometimes left- and other times right-handed? How does a cell respond to the physical stimuli in its environment? Or even why does matter exist at all? -- physics and astronomy contribute to discovering the answers.

All of our undergraduates have the opportunity to do research under the guidance of superb faculty representing many specialties, including biological physics, astrophysics, condensed-matter physics, particle physics and nuclear physics. In the supportive settings of small classes and groups of researchers, they test their powers of logical and mathematical reasoning and use state-of-the-art tools to explore the largest galaxies, probe the tiniest sub-nuclear domains, develop new materials, or manipulate and control cells.  Nearly half of our physics majors do senior honors theses and our undergraduates frequently are co-authors on significant scientific papers.