Undergraduate research
The physics major at Gettysburg places a significant focus on research. This means that you have the option to participate in independent research, off-campus research, and student and faculty research.
Physics majors may also gain valuable, real-world experience as a student assistant within the Physics Department through the following roles:
- Laboratory Assistants
- Laboratory Equipment Set Up
- Research Assistants
- Special Services
- Student Checkers
Students interested in becoming a student assistant are encouraged to speak with a physics faculty member at the start of each academic semester.
Note: All Bachelor of Science in physics majors are required to conduct independent research. It is also recommended that Bachelor of Arts in physics majors pursue independent research.
The Hatter Planetarium
Since its development in 1966, the Hatter Planetarium has served the Gettysburg College campus and surrounding community through immersive, free planetarium shows such as “The Sky This Month,” which provides information about upcoming celestial events and astronomy news. This exciting planetarium offers both public and private group shows for schools and community groups from September to mid-May. The Hatter Planetarium also serves as a fully functional classroom.
The Observatory
Located on the northwest edge of the Gettysburg College campus, this unique installation is used for imaging and photometry of variable stars. The dome houses:
- A 16-inch f/11 computer-controlled Ealing Cassegrain reflector
- An Ealing 16-inch Cassegrain telescope equipped with a sensitive, thermoelectrically cooled CH350 CCD Photometrics camera
- Six Meade telescopes
- Three 8-inch LX200 Schmidt-Cassegrain telescopes
- One 10-inch GPS LX200 telescope
- One 8-inch GPS LX200 telescope
- One 7-inch Maksutov-Cassegrain telescope
- An adjacent classroom that functions as a workspace containing a collection of maps and charts of the skies to assist with sky observation
The Machine Shop
The Gettysburg Machine Shop is devoted to unique student and faculty research. It includes power machinery such as band saws, drill presses, lathes, and a new milling machine. The Machine Shop is also an excellent resource for physics students looking to conduct their senior project.
Career preparation
As the basic principles of physics are unchanging, graduates are prepared to answer the complex questions of our evolving world.
Gettysburg’s physics majors have gone on to work in fields such as astronomy, astrophysics, business, education, engineering, law, mathematics, meteorology, physics, and psychology. Whether you seek a B.A or B.S in physics, you’ll have ample career options to choose from.
Explore career options to learn more about post-Gettysburg employment.
Strong Gettysburg alumni network
All physics students have access to the Gettysburg Network via the connectGettysburg platform. Serving as the College’s online engagement, networking, and mentoring platform, connectGettysburg offers endless connections for networking with Gettysburg’s more than 32,000 alumni.