Some lessons in physics are learned quite easily: burning your hand on a stove, spitting into the wind or licking an ice-cold telephone pole. Others require further education to understand, and that’s where Goshen College’s physics program comes in. Our experienced and knowledgeable professors will take your natural curiosity to new heights as you dive into the complex nature of how the world works.
Though your coursework will be rigorous and challenging, we haven’t forgotten that science can be fun. Our undergraduate students work with exciting equipment normally reserved for graduate students: specialty x-ray, optics, holography and biophysics instruments, as well as optical, acoustic and physical laboratories. You might find yourself designing a self-driving car for the college’s bi-annual Electronics Show, or creating a tuning graph for marimba bars during the Maple Scholars summer research program.
These hands-on experiences will give you an edge if you apply for graduate school or if you complete your bachelor’s degree at an engineering school through our engineering physics major. In fact, over 70 percent of GC physics alumni have gone on to postgraduate studies in recent years. By the time you leave Goshen, you will have the skills needed to succeed in both graduate school and the professional world.
Launch Experience
Ebtihal Abdelaziz, a senior mathematics and physics double major from Cairo, Egypt, is helping the world better understand the universe through a dream internship at Fermilab, a particle physics and accelerator laboratory in Chicago.
Kenton Swartley '83, community partnerships and STEM facilitator at Cedar Falls Schools, has been named as a recipient of the 2021 Iowa STEM Teacher Award. The award is given to teachers who go above and beyond to inspire student interest in and awareness of science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
Anja (Kenagy) Schaefkofer '18 has been chosen by the Knowles Teacher Initiative as one of 34 Teaching Fellows for the 2020 cohort. The Knowles Teacher Initiative supports a national network of mathematics and science teachers who are collaborative, innovative leaders improving education for all students in the United States.
Ranking in the percentage of graduates going on to earn doctorates among all Indiana institutions
The average personal annual income of GC physics alumni
of physics majors enter graduate school
Number of years needed to complete the pre-engineering track
of physics alumni are satisfied or very satisfied with their undergraduate education
Learn more about Goshen College's exceptional academic outcomes and national rankings.
Drew Smoker ’24, a physics major, came to Goshen College seeking a challenge and opportunities to problem-solve.
Drew's storyCrystopher is a 2017 physics graduate from the Dominican Republic who was involved in many campus activities, likes adventure and would love to be an auto engineer someday.
Crystopher's storySpencer Aeschliman ’19 is a physics major from Salem, Oregon. Outside of his coursework, Spencer plays on the men’s soccer team and sings with the men’s chorus.
Spencer's storyUlises Martinez, a 2004 chemistry and physics graduate, developed a clean energy catalyst that powers carbon-neutral vehicles.
Ulises' storyMicah Miller-Eshleman, with the help of former GC student Alan Smith, started his own web development business called PixelDance while studying at Goshen College.
Micah's storyBrian Sutter is a 2016 physics and informatics graduate. Despite facing pressure to attend an Ivy League school, Brian knew Goshen was the place where he wanted to be. So far, it has exceeded all of his expectations.
Brian's storyDavid Housman
Professor of Mathematics & Department Chair
Danielle Pagoria
Administrative Assistant
