Physics and Astronomy Department Faculty
Professor Etienne Gagnon, Chair (Fall 2025)
Professor Amy Lytle, Chair (Spring 2026)
Fronefield Crawford III
Charles A. Dana Professor of Physics and Astronomy
J. Kenneth Krebs
Professor of Physics
Amy L. Lytle
Professor of Physics
Calvin Stubbins
Professor of Physics
Etienne Gagnon
Associate Professor of Physics
Ryan Trainor
Associate Professor of Physics
Deborah Schmidt
Assistant Professor of Physics and Astronomy
Elizabeth Praton
Senior Adjunct Assistant Professor of Physics and Astronomy
Who is physics for?
Physicists and astrophysicists are curious about the nature of the physical universe. They enjoy asking complex questions and tackling difficult problems, from the highly practical and applied to the truly fundamental. Ultimately, they use their unique perspective and analytical abilities to understand and influence the world around them.
Those with a background in physics can be found making significant contributions in many different communities. Some engage in basic research. Many become teachers at all levels and/or engage in outreach and science communication. Others bring their skills and knowledge to different areas of interest, becoming analysts, lawyers, doctors, and engineers or working to improve the world in other ways.
What is physics?
Physics allows us to interrogate complicated natural systems, explain our observations, and model future behavior. Through the studies of forces, interactions, theories, and conservation laws, students of physics and astrophysics reshape the way we perceive the natural world. From the beauty of a rainbow to the origins of the universe, physics provides a means of deeper appreciation. By its fundamental nature, physics is integral to many of the natural sciences and engineering, and essential to many forms of interdisciplinary study.
Our programs are anchored in the study of classical mechanics, electricity and magnetism, quantum mechanics, thermal and statistical physics, and astrophysics. We explore these topics using theoretical, experimental, and computational methods.
What skills does physics teach you?
Physics is a fundamental, experimental discipline that provides grounding in the scientific process as well as a number of highly valuable and transferable skills. In addition to the theoretical, experimental, and computational skills explicit in the curriculum, physics students also develop robust problem solving and critical reasoning abilities as well as effective collaboration. Communication is emphasized through technical writing, professional presentations, and various avenues for public engagement about science.
What major/minor should you choose?
The department offers two majors, in Physics and Astrophysics, a joint major in Physics, and a minor in Physics.
The Physics major has two concentration tracks to help students tailor their degree to their interests:
Physics
Computational Physics
These tracks are not meant to constrain students to a narrow set of options. Rather, they are meant to increase flexibility for students to take the courses they want.
Major Requirements:
The major consists of 15 courses:
Dual-degree program
F&M participates in dual-degree programs, in which students receive a B.A. from the College and a B.S. in engineering from the partner institution, with Case Western Reserve, Columbia University, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and Washington University. Degrees in Physics or Astrophysics provide excellent preparation for many different engineering specialties. Students interested in any of these programs are urged to discuss them with the department chair and the Engineering Professions Adviser in the Office of Student & Post-Graduate Development early in the planning of their academic programs.
How to get started?
Students considering a major in physics or astrophysics would normally take PHY 111 and MAT 109 or MAT 110 in their first semester, and PHY 112 , AST 121 (for prospective Astrophysics majors) and MAT 110 or MAT 111 in their second semester. However, students have successfully completed these majors following other paths.
Off Campus Study:
Majors and minors in the Department of Physics and Astronomy have studied abroad in the following programs in recent years: Institute for Study Abroad, Butler University programs in Scotland, Australia, England, Ireland and New Zealand; TASSEP (Trans-Atlantic Science Student Exchange Program).
See the International Programs section of the Catalog for further information.
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