Physics

What is this major? 
Physics is the most fundamental of all the sciences.  Physics describes the interaction between matter and energy, particles and waves.  The laws of physics precisely describe force and motion, gravity, electricity, magnetism, sound, light, heat and atomic and nuclear interactions.  These laws are described using mathematical relationships, and a solid understanding of mathematics is needed to be successful in physics.  Physics helps you to understand the physical world.  You also learn to work with people to solve real-world problems and to make precise measurements in the laboratory with sophisticated apparatus.

What can I do with this major? 

Bachelor's Degree/Entry Level	Further Education/Experience Required
security analyst consultant meteorologist optical design engineer science writer science teacher	physicist astronomer engineer chemist geophysicist radiologist

What skills will I improve/gain? 
Improve your ability to think in a logical, precise manner, improve your problem-solving skills, learn to recognize relationships among variables, learn to use mathematical tools to make predictions about the behavior of physical systems, work with people in the laboratory and on problem solving, use research-grade equipment to make measurements,  gather and analyze data, understand and evaluate errors in measurement, summarize and report on your research findings, define and study research problems

Who employs graduates from this major? 
Private industry such as Corning Glass, General Motors, Lucent Technologies, federal government agencies, such as the National Security Agency (NSA), the CIA, the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, NASA, and all branches of the Military. Teaching positions in high schools, colleges and universities. Workers/technicians in hospitals and related health care industries. Writers and fact checkers for professional and technical journals.

What is special about this major at Hartwick?

• Hands on approach to learning
• Well-equipped optical laboratory
• Observatory  with a 16-inch reflecting telescope

Department Chair
Lawrence Nienart, 607-431-4737, nienartl@hartwick.edu

Undeclared Contact
Lawrence Nienart, 607-431-4737, nienartl@hartwick.edu

Major Connections Contacts
Melissa Wasson (607) 431- 7640, wassonm@hartwick.edu