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Student Research in Physics & Astronomy

Approach to Research:

In the Physics & Astronomy Department at Wheaton, students and faculty work as partners in research.  We believe that the best way to learn about science is to do science.  Toward that end, faculty and students together develop research projects that suit the student?s interests, students do the work in the laboratory under faculty guidance, and finally their work in presented either on campus and/or at scientific conferences. The research collaboration can take many forms: part of a senior honors thesis, a paid position to do work for a faculty member throughout the year, a summer or January internship, an independent study for course credit, or simply an opportunity to get involved in the department. No matter the format, all students are encouraged to do real science in the lab as an important complement to their coursework.

Research Areas:  Research at Wheaton's Physics & Astronomy Department is usually in one of the following areas:

Astronomy: Photometry and Spectroscopy of Stars, Planets, and Asteroids

Geosciences: Planetary Science and Mapping of Planetary Surfaces

Physics: Lasers, Optical Spectroscopy of Solids

Some of the people involved in specific research of the type shown above have websites that explain their research and can provide you with a better sense of what they are working on.  If this is the case, their name below will provide a link to that page.  Feel free to explore their research and get a sense of what options are available.

Recent Alumni

Kenneth Bycenski '01, Lasers

Dave Cavossa '01

Timothy Chamberlain '01

Laurel Hentschel '01

Brian Jennings '01

Scott Hesser '01, Astronomy/Physics Major, Spectroscopy of Planets

Nathan Buggia '01, Physics Minor

Kimberly Coelho '01, Physics Minor

Carol McGeoch '01, Physics Minor

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