Physics at HMC

pic: Why study physics at HMC?

Why study physics at HMC?

Critical mass, for one thing. We have a large enough department to support a variety of research projects and enough majors to give you great odds of connecting with an excellent group of study buddies.

pic: Can I participate in research?

Can I participate in research?

Definitely! With 13 full-time faculty members, research activities in the department investigate quantum information, defects in colloids, thin-film magnetic systems, plant and animal biomechanics, cosmic …

pic: Where do our students go?

Where do our students go?

Somewhat more than half of physics majors head immediately to graduate school for PhDs in physics or related disciplines. The others find jobs as engineers, software developers, research assistants, data …

pic: What can you do with a physics degree?

What can you do with a physics degree?

What’s a physics degree from HMC good for? Plenty. But don’t just take our word for it. Listen to what our alumni say.

pic: What about the physics curriculum?

What about the physics curriculum?

By design, the physics curriculum is lean enough to give physics majors an unconstrained elective each semester. With nine options, including astrophysics, biophysics, chemical physics, education, geophysics, …

pic: What physics is in the HMC Core?

What physics is in the HMC Core?

Core physics begins with Special Relativity, which beautifully illustrates how careful reasoning from simple premises can teach you an incredible amount about how the world actually works—even if it isn’t …

pic: Our Values

Our Values

The Harvey Mudd College Physics Department recognizes the value, dignity, and humanity of every member of our community. We strive to conduct ourselves with honesty and integrity. We commit to building …

Carola mounting sample
 4 December 2012  Senior Carola Purser mounting a magnetic thin-film sample for study in one of the Quantum Design PPMSs.

News

pic: Lucien Tsai (’24) Wins Astronaut Scholarship

24 May 2023

Lucien Tsai (’24) Wins Astronaut Scholarship

Congratulations are in order to Lucien Tsai for winning a 2023 Astronaut Scholarship. Lucien joins a very accomplished group of HMC physicists who have won Astronaut Scholarships. Lucien thrives on research …

 

24 April 2023

Eldred Tubbs dies 10 days before his 99th birthday

Eldred Frank Tubbs, a long-time resident of Claremont, died March 21, 2023. He was born March 31, 1924 in Buffalo, New York. His parents, Frank K. Tubbs and Ruth A. Stone, were both descended from early …

pic: Helliwell and Sahakian Text Earns Praise

4 November 2022

Helliwell and Sahakian Text Earns Praise

Cambridge University Press announced 14 titles as finalist for the 2022 PROSE Awards. Modern Classical Mechanics, by T. M. Helliwell and V. V. Sahakian was one of two titles in Chemistry and Physics to …

pic: Congratulations to the class of 2022

15 May 2022

Congratulations to the class of 2022

Despite two years of pandemic interruptions, we are proud to have graduated the class of 2022 who triumphed despite great obstacles. We are very proud of the great accomplishments of the class of 2022 …

More news…

Links

pic: Weekly class schedule

Weekly class schedule

pic: Courses

Courses