Physics Department

The Bridgewater State College Physics Department has a great history and an even more interesting future. Exciting times are taking place at Bridgewater State College (BSC) where the physics department has recently hired new faculty and instructors. Our Course Catalog outlines the degree options and course requirements. We typically have thirty Physics Majors and a handful of Physics Minors. Roughly one-third of BSC physics students go on to graduate work, one-third enter the field of teaching and one-third work in industry.

The physics department's students and faculty have recently worked together on programs ranging from the construction of a tunable diode laser to astrophysical measurements of solar phenomena. The momentum generated by these projects has resulted in plans for new programs that will be centered around additional research grade astronomy equipment and a cross-disciplinary large spectral range laser lab. Our students have won on-campus awards including Shea Fellowships and Adrian Tinsley awards to work with faculty on research. In addition, students have participated in sponsored research experiences off campus: two at Brookhaven National Lab, one at the University of Massachusetts at Lowell, and one completed an internship with Intel. Over the past three years, five of our students have enrolled in physics graduate programs (at the Univ. of Connecticut, Univ. of Massachusetts at Lowell, and Idaho State University) while four students have gone onto teach high school.

In a time when only two of the nine state colleges in Massachusetts have been able to keep the physics major program alive, we are a growing department making new and exciting strides in curriculum and research. Our students have the opportunity to have a significant impact on their own educational experiences and to help build and strengthen our department. Here at BSC physics, we hope to attract any and all students desiring a small but close-knit, versatile department with lots of student-faculty teaching and research contact.

Check out http://www.bridgew.edu/library/bysubj/physres.cfm#physjlogin which is the library physics link which directs you to online subscriptions of AJP, PRL, TPT and e-prints.

For Summer courses and workshops for teachers please go to: http://www.bridgew.edu/physics/Summer flyer 2009.rev.doc

Last Modified: April 7, 2009