Majors have the benefit of excellent computational facilities in the Physics Department. Students make extensive use of the system from three computer
labs reserved exclusively for physics majors. Our scientific visulaization lab allows state-of-the-art three-dimensional
stereo visualization of large data sets and supports our undergradaute research students working on projects ranging from
large-scale computer simulations, to spacecraft and laboratory data analysis. A cluster of unix-based workstations from
Silicon Graphics, IBM, HP, and Apple give physics students access to all the computer power they need for courses and
projects.
The Department is also proud of its experimental facilities. Well-equipped laboratories and a high degree of
individualized instruction make the electronics and experimental physics courses an exciting component of the
degree program. Advance lab (PHY 270) students regularly design and build their own experiments with assistance
from the physics department shop. We also have five experimental research labs which involve students in projects in
materials science and nanotechnology, fundamental atomic measurements, bio-optical engieering, and studies of nonlinear
chaotic systems.