We believe it important for undergraduates to make an early transition from classroom work to the more direct and active learning process involved in research. Research in the department is broadly concentrated in the experimental and theoretical study of condensed matter physics a term for the physics of solids, glasses and liquids.
Experimental work focuses on magnetism and on superconductivity.
Theoretical research includes computer simulation studies of phase transitions and studies on the free electron laser. Several members of the department also are involved in interdisciplinary research on environmental problems and on physics education. Although the stereotype of a scientist might be that of a solitary worker working late in his laboratory at night, in reality, the norm is that of collaborative research involving men and women scientists from all over the world. Members of the physics department regularly collaborate with colleagues at other institutions. Currently, theoretical work is being done in collaboration with individuals at Boston University, Kalamazoo College, MIT, and the National Institute of Standards and Technology.