Bachelor of Science in Physics

The Department of Physics offers coursework leading to the degree of Bachelor of Science. The Bachelor of Science degree program is designed to prepare students for graduate studies in physics and for the workforce. Entering students who are not placed in the calculus sequence will follow a modified sequence and may require additional time to complete the selected program of study.

The Department is located in the Olin Building for the academic programs and has well-equipped laboratories and computer rooms for the undergraduate program at several locations on campus. Physics faculty, staff, and students conduct research on-campus in the newly renovated Graduate Physics Research Facility and in the Olin Building, and off-campus at the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility and other international research institutions when appropriate funding is available. Undergraduate physics majors are encouraged to participate in funded research programs, conduct research, and publish findings. Research areas include nanoscience, intermediate-energy nuclear physics, optical science, high-energy physics, and accelerator physics.

Department of Physics Research Areas

Intermediate Energy Nuclear Physics

Jefferson Lab

The Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility (Jefferson Lab) is funded by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Science with strong support from the City of Newport News and the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Minerva

MINERvA seeks to measure low-energy neutrino interactions both in support of neutrino oscillation experiments and also to study the strong dynamics of the nucleon and nucleus that affect these interactions.

Olympus

OLYMPUS at DESY (Deutsches Elektronensynchrotron) in Hamburg, Germany aims to measure the effect of a two-photon exchange by comparison of positron-proton and electron-proton elastic scattering.

TREK

TREK (Time Reversal Experiment with Kaons) aims to discover the violation of time reversal invariance beyond the Standard Model in the decay of positive kaons.

Optical Sciences

Advanced Center for Laser Science and Spectroscopy (ACLASS)

ACLASS merges traditionally separate disciplines by advancing the fundamental understanding of selected problems at the forefront of science and technology using laser spectroscopy as the common unifying theme.

Accelerator Physics

Low Energy Linear Accelerator (LELIA)

A new Accelerator Physics program is under development within the Physics Department and will be centered on on-campus research that will utilize a 500 keV electron linac modeled after the CEBAF injector at Jefferson Lab.

Society of Physics Students

The Society of Physics Students (SPS) is a professional association explicitly designed for students and their mentors. With over 4100 official members in about 800 chapters on college campuses, SPS provides opportunities for physics students across the nation, including research awards, outreach programs, scholarships, and travel awards. The SPS website (www.spsnational.org) provides information and applications for these opportunities, as well as other physics contacts, society news, hot science, physics career information, and the lighter side of physics. Membership, through collegiate chapters, is open to anyone interested in physics.

Hampton University SPS participates in several projects, research opportunities, outreach programs, and mentorship programs throughout the year. They volunteer their services at local schools and reach out to students in grades K-12 in hopes of getting them interested in going on a physics path. Whether it is on or off campus, the SPS is involved year-round in physics-related activities.

Rich in history and tradition, Hampton University is a dynamic, progressive institution of higher education, providing a broad range of technical, liberal arts, and graduate degree programs. Hampton University is a private university accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award associate, baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral degrees. In addition to being one of the top historically black universities in the world, Hampton University is a closely connected community of learners and educators, representing 35 territories and nations.

Hampton University is located on the east coast of the United States in the state of Virginia. The campus is located on a peninsula near the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay and is surrounded by water on three sides which gives it the nickname “Our home by the Sea”. The surrounding city of Hampton has many businesses, retail and residential areas, historical sites, and miles of waterfront and beaches. Attractions such as Fort Monroe, NASA Langley Research Center, and the Virginia Air and Space Center add to the splendor - and fun - of the HU campus. While Hampton University is primarily a liberal art and education university it also specializes in business, engineering, technology, nursing, pharmacy, and the sciences. Hampton University has the privilege of having the first and only NASA mission that is 100% led by an HBCU (Historically Black College & University). It is also the home of the largest and most advanced Proton Therapy Institute in the world.

Accreditation

Hampton University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award certificates and degrees at the associate, baccalaureate, master’s, education specialist, professional, and doctoral levels.

The University is also approved by the State Council of Higher Education in Virginia (SCHEV). The University holds membership in the Council of Graduate Schools, the Council of Independent Colleges in Virginia, and the American Council on Education.

In addition, Hampton University (its undergraduate and/or graduate colleges) is accredited or approved by other bodies.

Schools and Programs

• James T. George School of Business
• School of Science
• Scripps Howard School of Journalism & Communications
• School of Nursing
• School of Liberal Arts and Education
• School of Engineering and Technology
• School of Pharmacy
• Graduate College

Organizations

• HU Athletics
• Honors College
• Leadership Institute
• Military Science
• Government Relations
• Hampton University Research

Resources

• myCampus
• HU Online
• HU Museum
• Harvey Library
• Proton Therapy Institute
• Center for Teaching Excellence
• HU Residence Halls

Number of Programs Offered

Bachelor's Degree Programs ---- 50

Master's Degree Programs ---- 25

Professional Degree Programs ---- 2

Doctoral Degree Programs ---- 9

Post-Master's Degree Program ---- 1

Associate's Degree Programs ---- 7

Certificate Programs ---- 3

Total ---- 97