2024-2025 Undergraduate Hill Book
Physics and Astronomy
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Faculty:
Department Chairperson:
Alessandro Massarotti
Office: Shields Science 303
Phone: 508-565-1430
amassarotti@stonehill.edu
Professor:
D. Simon
Associate Professors:
A. Massarotti
G. Gu
Assistant Professors:
F. Fornasini
Housed in May School of Arts and Sciences , the Department of Physics and Astronomy offers a B.A. and B.S. in Physics, a B.A. and B.S. in Astronomy, a B.A. and B.S. in Photonics, and a B.S. in Earth and Planetary Sciences. Minors are also available in Astronomy, Physics, and Photonics. The B.A. in Physics can also be awarded as part of one of Stonehill’s Engineering 3+2 Programs with the University of Notre Dame and King’s College.
Departmental Mission
A fundamental mission of the Department of Physics and Astronomy is to provide our students with knowledge needed to become professional scientists, in the fields of physics, engineering physics, astronomy, photonics, and earth sciences. For those students in our two 3+2 dual programs, our mission is to provide the knowledge and skill set to become engineers, upon graduation from our matching institutions.
Continuing education is a felt obligation on our part, given how technical and specific job skills have become. Our department wishes to provide continuing education, together with the more traditional four-year programs.
Our department believes in the wider dissemination of scientific knowledge to the wider student population. Hence, we contribute courses to our Cornerstone program.
It is part of our department’s broader mission for our students, and those in our majors in particular, to learn professional ethics while at the College. Our faculty lead students by example by being hard working and self-reliant, while also being friendly and open to collaboration with one another and with students. We push our students to do their best work and helping them grow as independent thinkers, while we try to provide an environment that encourages collaboration, honesty, and team work.
Learning Goals
Majors in Physics, Astronomy, or Photonics and/or participating in the 3+2 Dual Degree Engineering Program with the University of Notre Dame will:
- Demonstrate a clear understanding of these five core curriculum areas: classical mechanics & relativity, electromagnetism, optics & waves, quantum mechanics & atomic physics
and statistical physics/thermodynamics. Photonics majors will also demonstrate understanding of optics & photonics. Astronomy majors will also demonstrate understanding of astrophysics.
- Apply their knowledge of physics and mathematics to describe physical systems conceptually and analyze them quantitatively.
- Understand the scientific process and be able to conduct experimental science, including observation, hypothesis development, experimental design & execution, data analysis, and interpretation.
- Understand the philosophical, ethical, and societal dimensions of physics as a human endeavor.
- Communicate their scientific knowledge and thinking clearly and effectively in both oral and written communication.
ProgramsMajorMinorEngineering Dual Degree
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