College of the Pacific

Welcome to the Department of Physics

Physics is the study of that which is physical: matter, energy, space and time, which at the fundamental level apparently obey a few general but exquisite laws. These relationships are central to the structure and behavior of everything in our universe. The evolving understanding of these concepts over the centuries has profoundly changed our minds, our lives, and our world.

The faculty and facilities of the Physics Department help students understand and explore these natural relationships, their power, and their limitations. The study of physics includes mastering very broad fundamentals which apply to everything from atoms to traffic jams to clusters of galaxies, as well as specific studies in topical specializations like the physics of solid state devices, electromagnetic fields, astrophysics, and computer simulation of physical processes.

The degree programs in physics prepare students to think deeply through questions, to find and connect abstract relationships to new situations, and to be academically confident and broadly knowledgeable scientists, lifelong learners and teachers.