Graduate Research
Whether they work alongside faculty in the lab or pursue research opportunities at local institutions, graduate students develop advanced expertise in a field of their choice. They contribute to scholarly research, win awards for their dissertations and present their findings at conferences across the country.
For students interested in theoretical, experimental, observational and applied physics, the department’s connections to national and international laboratories around Washington, D.C., and Virginia provide hands-on training and original research opportunities.
Research Areas
Research topics at the graduate level include experimental and theoretical nuclear physics, experimental and theoretical biophysics, and high-energy astrophysics. Whatever the focus area, students perform research in a collaborative environment in our laboratories in Corcoran Hall and in Science and Engineering Hall.
GW Physics at the CCAS Research Showcase
Every year, the Physics Department has many undergraduate and some graduate students presenting posters at the CCAS Research Showcase, which is usually held in mid April. During this great event that showcases research from students across the Columbian College of Arts & Sciences, the Physics Department is always well presented by seniors in Physics, Biophysics and Astronomy & Astrophysics, and some juniors in these majors, as well as graduate students representing the various research areas in the department. Presenting seniors are well prepared for this event as part of the Physics Symposium (PHYS 4200) course, and presenting juniors can put their writing and presentation skills they learned in Intermediate Lab I (PHYS 2151W) and Physis Capstone (PHYS 4195W) into practice. Many students and faculty visit the Research Showcase to learn about all the great research activities and support the presenters.