THE DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICS & ASTRONOMY
The Department of Physics & Astronomy provides the Sonoma State University student population a strong undergraduate major program, important support courses, and a robust offering of general education courses. There are currently 4 tenured or tenure-track faculty members, several highly qualified lecturers and a well-renown Education and Public Outreach program. There are approximately 60 majors in the department, and they pursue one of our degree offerings: a B.S. in Physics, a B.S. in Physics with an Astrophysics Concentration, or a B.A. in Physics. The Department provides students with a fundamental background in physics and its applications and offers considerable hands-on experience with close student-faculty interaction in classes and required capstone research experiences. The Department prepares graduates for work in a diversity of careers. Our graduates work in industry, in government laboratories, and pursue graduate degrees. They teach in schools, colleges, and universities. They work as scientists, engineers, analysts, programmers, writers, consultants, and run their own businesses. The Department has dedicated teaching laboratories, research laboratories including the Keck Microanalysis Lab, and astronomical observing facilities. The Department is active in University and Community Service, and is connected to the intellectual life of the greater Bay-Area research community through the venerable ‘What Physicists Do’ lecture series.