About

An overview and description of the Astronomy department at Denison University.

Courses offered by the Department of Physics and Astronomy are designed to bring the student to an increasingly independent level of investigation in experimental and theoretical physics. Denison offers a variety of facilities and equipment for teaching and research in the physical sciences.

Course and laboratory work in astronomy explores the physical and observational background of such topics as the history of astronomy, naked eye observations, the planets and moons, the origin of the solar system, stellar classification, stellar evolution, galactic astronomy, and cosmology, with an emphasis on the quantitative nature of modern astronomy.

Mission Statement

The Department of Physics & Astronomy at Denison University seeks to foster an understanding and deep appreciation of the physical world and our relationship to it. Our mission is centered on an engaging curriculum that balances breadth and depth, empowering students to explore, comprehend, and apply the fundamental principles of the universe.

Our faculty prioritize undergraduate education, combining effective teaching practices with the latest scholarly insights. We invite students to become active partners in the pursuit of original investigations, nurturing a culture of inquiry and discovery. Through our comprehensive program, students achieve increasing levels of autonomy in both experimental and theoretical physics.

The key objectives of our program are for students to:

understand the principal laws which govern the physical world;
master the fundamental reasoning process used in solving problems;
learn mathematical techniques and computational tools to solve physics problems;
develop an understanding of electronics, technical measurements, and data analysis;
identify, organize, and conduct independent investigations and communicate the results.

Departmental Guidelines

Astronomy is a natural science that studies planets, stars, galaxies, and space in general. The Department of Physics and Astronomy offers a variety of astronomy courses with different levels of depth and mathematical rigor.

A minor in astronomy is available to any Denison student. The student who desires preparation for graduate work in Astronomy, Astrophysics, or Space Physics should pursue a major in Physics with a minor in Astronomy and is encouraged to consult early with faculty in the Physics and Astronomy Department. See Physics Department section.