Join us in asking and exploring answers to the age-old question, “Why does it work?”

As a physics major or minor, you’ll find that you’re able to contribute to our research programs right from the beginning. Even before you enroll as a physics student, there are opportunities for you to start taking part in our research programs. Once you’re a student in our courses, we listen to what you want to learn, designing our elective options based on your interests.

Explore how the world works

Physics is an investigative science testing theory against experimental measurements.

Discover something new

Learning through experimenting and collaborative research is a hallmark of our department — and of Hope College. It’s important for our students to learn directly alongside faculty members as research apprentices. Not only will you be learning something new, but you’ll be contributing directly to the field. View our blog for more information about our research groups.

Learn from the best

Each faculty member's research program is supported by external grants they've earned through competative programs. We currently have active awards totalling over $1 million. External funding has come from several nationally prestigious agencies and endowments, including:

For detailed information, view our faculty pages.

Hear from our Physics community

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Zack
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Bethany
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Miguel
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Kyuil
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Nate
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Christina

Recent blog posts

  1. Physics student presentations #1 (summer research in 2023), Thursday (3/7) at 11 am – VDW104

    Posted by cho

    1. “Efficient Techniques for Calculating the Energy Widths of Cyclotron Resonance in Strong Mag...

    Read More
  2. Physics Seminar by Cole Persch (Hope’20), Thursday (2/29) at 11 am – VDW104

    Posted by cho

    Title: Understanding the Global Carbon Cycle through Climate Models Bio: Cole is a Ph.D. candidat...

    Read More
  3. Physics Seminar by Dr. Nick Wazniak (Hope’12), Thursday (2/22) at 11 am – VDW104

    Posted by cho

    The post

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  4. Joey Fogt (Hope’26) featured in Day of Giving webpage

    Posted by cho

    Read Joey’s interesting research story. https://give.communityfunded.com/o/hope-college/i/d...

    Read More
  5. Physics Seminar by Dr. Wesley Chambers (NASA), Thursday (2/8) at 11 am – VDW104

    Posted by cho

    The post

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  6. Physics Seminar by Jason Gombas (Hope’19), Thursday (1/18) at 11 am – VDW104

    Posted by cho

    The post

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Hope by the Numbers

  • 1.7 millionVolts

    Our laboratory houses the 1.7 million volt Van de Graaf particle accelerator.

    Learn more
  • 80%Graduate School

    Our department sends students to graduate school in physics, materials science, medical physics and medicine. Those who don’t pursue further education often succeed in careers in national and industrial labs, business and secondary education.

  • $1 millionRecent Grants

    Our faculty has received over $1 million in recent grants toward their research.

    Find research opportunities
  • $70kMedian Salary

    The median salary for physicists with bachelor’s degrees is $70,000, and can increase by 41% for physicists with graduate degrees.

    Imagine life after Hope