Research Scholars > Research Opportunities > Physics

Physics

Work side-by-side with renowned faculty who are on the frontiers of discovery.

If you are majoring in physics, you’ll have distinct advantages as a Research Scholar.

In the WSU Department of Physics and Astronomy, you’ll have extraordinary research opportunities. Instead of working with graduate or post-doctoral students as you would in a department with a large number of students, at WSU you work directly with internationally recognized faculty who are on the forefront of new knowledge.

You’ll share in their discoveries—and have the opportunity to make some of your own.

Explore a Wide Variety of Topics

Academic interests of WSU physics faculty span an unusually broad range of topics. As an undergraduate, you have the chance to participate in any of a wide range of research areas at the forefront of physics—and discover what interests you most.

You could be part of faculty research projects in areas like these:

Astrophysics

Research in the astronomy and astrophysics program usually falls into topics related to gravitational physics, sources for gravitational waves, stars, galaxies, galaxy formation and chemical enrichment, and cosmology. As a student in the astrophysics program, you participate in at least one research project that tackles a problem at the current edge of human understanding.

Materials and Optical Physics

Femtosecond laser pulses probe ultrafast phenomena. Interactions between photons and matter are studied in nanostructures and biological materials. The limits of nonlinear optics are pushed to make the Internet faster. And synchrotron X-rays studies suggest how to adapt organic molecules for solar cells and other new uses.

Matter Under Extreme Conditions

Physics in extreme conditions includes state-of-the-art simulations and experiments in shock-wave phenomena, radiation pressure from high-amplitude sound, dynamics of bubbles and droplets in low or zero gravity, and studies of semiconductors under ultra-high pressures using diamond-anvil cells.

Novel States of Matter

View weird quantum effects in the Bose-Einstein Condensate laboratory. Investigate the theory of cold quantum gases, many-body physics, chaos, and complexity. Here, the “normal” rules do not apply.

Launch a High-profile Career

To set your career in motion, you need prominent professors who can connect you with other leaders in the field.

At WSU, you interact with top faculty in your classes, chat with them in the halls, and work with them on research. Leading scientists in the field know you well. As you succeed in your undergraduate studies, your professors can help you find a strong career path in the sciences that fits your interests.

In addition to careers in physics itself, successful physics majors emerge ready to succeed in a range of areas: biological sciences, engineering, and research and development within private industry.

Small Classes, Big Opportunity

The low student–faculty ratio translates to enormous opportunities for you as an undergraduate:

  • Personal attention in small classes
  • Close interaction with high-profile professors who are leaders in their fields
  • Advanced courses commensurate with your progress and ability