The third important component of our curriculum is research. Physics and Astronomy are fundamental fields of science where the aim is to understand nature. Therefore, this quest for discovery should be an integral part of the curriculum. All seniors in the spring semester are required to take a research course where they work on a project under the advise of a faculty mentor, who gets course credit for this advising. The aim is to do or learn something new.
Projects are mostly experimental, centered around the faculty's research laboratories.
However, in the past we have had theoretical projects and even cross disciplinary projects with members of other departments as advisors. The results of many of these projects have resulted in publications and conference presentations. As a result of our efforts our enrollments have experienced a sustained growth over the last ten years. Our Astronomy-Physics program is also very strong. Our enrollments in recent years have also grown significantly.