An active interaction between theory and experiment is encouraged and a balanced understanding of both areas is expected of the graduate student. The university operates several small research vessels, a 35m research ship, the Louis M. Lauzier , and has access to larger deep-ocean research vessels. Affiliated with the oceanography group are researchers in the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Centre, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, the Fisheries and Marine Institute , the Earth Sciences Department and the Ocean Sciences Centre . Condensed matter physics, atomic and molecular physics Condensed matter physics involves the study of the electronic, optical, magnetic, thermal and structural properties of materials such as liquids and solids. The department maintains research facilities equipped to carry out theoretical and experimental research in this area.
Theoretical research includes polymer physics, magnetic materials, biophysics and superconductivity.
There is a strong level of collaboration among members of the research group, as well as with researchers in other departments and institutions. The department has pursued research in atomic and molecular physics for over 40 years. Current research involves spectroscopic studies of simple molecular systems using a variety of techniques. Theoretical work involves the study of atomic and molecular collisions and quantum-mechanical modelling of molecular structure. The department operates helium and nitrogen liquefiers and a machine shop.