Student conducting an experiment

Physics

B.A., B.S.

Unlock the mysteries of the universe. Peer into the physical world and learn the mechanics behind the evolution of the cosmos and the smallest structures in quantum physics.

Prepare for careers in astrophysics, biophysics, engineering, research, and more.

Melanie Lott '04

Melanie Lott ’04 ,Associate Professor, Chair of Physics & Astronomy

Cathy Geho

Cathy Geho ,Academic Administrative Assistant

Swasey Chapel

Highlights

Pre-Engineering Program

Physics majors enjoy the use of state-of-the-art experimental apparatus such as tunable lasers, optical and infrared spectrometers, and ultra-high vacuum equipment.

Learn more about Physics

Spotlights

Photo of a plasma jet in the blazar PKS 1424+240

Denison Magazine

Professor sheds new light on black holes

New research indicates that black holes may be the elusive source of notoriously difficult-to-trace neutrinos.

Jaelyn Roth ’23, building a graph to illustrate her research

Peering into black holes

Physics major Jaelyn Roth’s research helps astrophysicists see supermassive black holes and their related phenomenon more clearly.

Aayush Nema '21

Academics, mentorship, & internship solidify career choice

Academics, mentorship and an internship in Columbus gave international citizen Aayush Nema '21 the key to his future course as an economic researcher.

Physics major Rahul Shrestha '21

Multiple Realities

Quantum enthusiast Rahul Shrestha ’21 is many things at once: student, teacher, researcher, yearbook editor & designer, and international student.

Jake Coplin '20

Score high on key performance indicators

A senior describes how his Red Frame experience helped him prepare for the working world.

Sarah Spielman '21

A 'DESIREE' for Beamtime

A summer project in Sweden at the DESIREE facility is just one highlight of physics major Sarah Spielman’s research into negative ions.

Illustration of the TXS 0128 Galaxy

Imaging a galaxy far far away

If you're a fan of 'Star Wars,' Prof. Dan Homan can talk to you about a real-life galaxy that has a 'TIE' to the blockbuster movie series.

Bebe Wang '20 presenting his summer research project.

How We Learn

A physic(al) path to engineering

Bebe Wang ‘20 was awarded a $10,000 NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship. Here’s how the physics major and champion swimmer combined his loves at Denison.

Meaghan Accarino '21

The astrophysicist and the archeological dig

Meaghan Accarino ‘21, an astrophysicist-in-the-making, spends a summer in the earth instead of the stars.

Prof. Steve Doty, Angela Sommerer ’20, and Tran Anh Nguyen ’20

How We Learn

A Surprising New Model of Star Formation

Students study how stars are formed through data and find surprising support for a new model.

Students review data with Professors

How We Learn

Play Ball Better

A physics lab figures out the mechanics of throwing a baseball.

What's Happening

An auditorium-style lecture hall filled with students leaning in and actively listening to a lesson.

Lectures & Discussions

Alumni present a wide variety of perspectives in Spring 2026

Denison’s physics seminar guest speakers offer fascinating insights into careers and research opportunities.

What's Happening

Department of Physics and Astronomy announces this year’s department fellows

Selected students will host drop-in hours throughout the academic year.

Image of the plasma jet in the blazar PKS 1424+240, seen head-on. The jet is threaded by a nearly perfect toroidal magnetic field (visualized in orange), nicknamed "The Eye of Sauron"

University News

Denison astronomer part of a team solving a long-standing mystery

A stunning new image reveals the secret behind unexpectedly bright high-energy gamma-ray and neutrino emissions from a peculiar blazar.

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