2025-2026 Academic Catalog
Welcome to Virginia Tech! We are excited that you are here planning your time as a Hokie.
Welcome to Virginia Tech! We are excited that you are here planning your time as a Hokie.
The physics curriculum is designed to provide a broad foundation in the physical sciences, as well as specialized training in classical and modern physics, and it may lead to either a B.S. or a B.A. An honors student may also qualify for a five-year program leading to both the B.S. and M.S. Experimental opportunities are available in such fields as fundamental particle physics, nuclear physics, condensed matter physics, biophysics, and astronomy. Students are encouraged to participate with faculty members in undergraduate research projects.
Multiple emphases in the physics curriculum permit students to give special attention to those aspects of the discipline they prefer and enable them either to pursue a traditional course of study as preparation for joining the technical staffs of industries or government laboratories, or for graduate studies in physics or astronomy (B.S.); or to pursue an interdisciplinary course of study with a strong background in physics (B.A.).
A handbook that includes sample curricula for emphases in astrophysics, biophysics, chemistry, computer science, education, electrical engineering, finance, geophysics, materials science, mathematics, physics education, pre-health, and pre-law is available from the department on request.
The department also offers the M.S. and Ph.D. in physics (see the Graduate Catalog).
Transfer students should contact the department early, preferably one full semester prior to entrance. This procedure will allow a thorough evaluation of transfer credits and correct placement.
The department participates in the Cooperative Education Program in which a student may alternate through two successive years a semester of study with a semester of professional employment in his/her discipline; these two years normally replace the student's sophomore year. Additional information on the program is included in the "Academics" section in this catalog and in the handbook indicated above.
A student may obtain a minor in physics or astronomy or biophysics, by registering with the department and successfully completing the approved minor requirements in effect at the time of graduation. Please visit the University Registrar website at http://registrar.vt.edu/graduation-multi-brief/index1.html for minor requirements.
University policy requires that students who are making satisfactory progress toward a degree meet minimum criteria toward the Pathways to General Education (see "Academics") and toward the degree.
Satisfactory progress requirements toward the B.S. and B.A. in Physics can be found on the major checksheet by visiting the University Registrar website at http://registrar.vt.edu/graduation-multi-brief/index1.html.
Chair: M. L. Pitt
Professors: N. Arav, E. Barnes, S. Economou, J. R. Heflin, J. J. Heremans, P. Huber, G. Khodaparast, C. Mariani, J. M. Link, D. Minic, P.R. Montague, S.K. Mun, K. Park, L. E. Piilonen, M. L. Pitt, M. J. F. Pleimling, V. W. Scarola, E.R. Sharpe, J. H. Simonetti, T. Takeuchi, U. Tauber, and R. B. Vogelaar
Associate Professors: L. Anderson, S. Cheng, J. Gray, S. Horiuchi, V. Nguyen, T. O’Donnell, H. Robinson, I. Shoemaker, and V. Soghomonian
Assistant Professors: C. Ashall, R. Ashkar, M. Boer, S. Emori, and N. Kaplan
Assistant Collegiate Professors: B. Magill, and T. R. Merritt
Advanced Instructors: A. Khan and A. L. C. Robinson
Instructors: F. Lin, P. Nelson, D. Osborne, and K. Papavasiliou
Research Faculty: I. Ozcan and K. Wong
Adjunct Professors: C. D. Bowman, Z. Chang, D. Edmonds, M. Freedman, Y. Liang, G. R. Myneni, Z. Toroczkai, and C. Tao
Affiliated Faculty: L. Asryan1, L. Guido2, A. Onufriev3, and M. Paul4
L.C. Hassinger Faculty Fellow: G. Khodaparast
Roger Moore and Mojdeh Khatam-Moore Faculty Fellow: P. Huber
William E. Hassinger, Jr., Senior Faculty Fellow in Physics: S. Economou
Regular appointment with Material Science and Engineering
Regular appointment with Materials Science & Engineering and Electrical & Computer Engineering
Regular appointment with Computer Science
Regular appointment with Mechanical Engineering
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