Physics
Many of the most profound understandings of the natural world and the universe have come from physicists. We offer both a major (B.S.) and minor in physics. Our 3/2 engineering program allows students to complete a physics major at LC and pursue an engineering degree at another school.
What Will I Study?
Physics fuses theoretical, experimental, and computational techniques. Principles of physics set in a rigorous mathematical framework are the foundations of the major. All majors complete research projects before they graduate. Some students have published papers with faculty in internationally respected peer-reviewed journals.
What Kind of Job Can I Get?
Physics majors are well-suited for a variety of advanced degrees or jobs in:- Engineering
- Industry
- Teaching
- Government
- Research
Our research:
We are committed to a strong research presence at Lynchburg College. All of our majors complete research projects before they graduate. Some of our students have published papers with us in internationally respected peer-reviewed journals.
- John Eric Goff performs theoretical and computational investigations in a few different areas. Projects Eric has guided students through include computational statistical mechanics, chaotic orbits, fluid flows around barriers, coupled oscillators, and quantum wave-packet propagation. Eric has also researched with students in the area of sports physics. Eric spent the 2008-09 academic year at the University of Sheffield in England carrying out experimental and theoretical investigations into soccer physics. Eric has contributed to The Wall Street Journal sports articles; he has been interviewed by various radio stations, including NPR; and, his research has been the subject of articles around the world.
- Chinthaka Liyanage performs experimental investigations into the electrical and optical properties of solids, with special attention paid to those materials that have applications in device technology (solar cells, LED's, etc.). Chin's work involves photosensitivity measurements of thin-film semiconductors in both amorphous and polycrystalline forms; that work includes studies of their photoluminescence properties with laser illumination. Our optics course features with several aspects of his research.
- Neal Sumerlin has been the vanguard for bringing astronomical research to Lynchburg College. At the Belk Observatory, Neal is developing research projects that will use CCD imaging capabilities - a back-illuminated, thermoelectrically cooled megapixel 13-micron camera with a full set of Astrodon filters. Combined with a newly purchased fiber-optic spectrometer, a wide range of galactic and extra-galactic objects will be able to be studied. In the long term, Neal plans to include optical studies of gamma-ray bursters.
Contact Us
The Lynchburg College Physics Department is located on the fourth floor of Hobbs Hall. Please drop us an email or call 434.544.8856 if you have any questions.
