Physics and Astronomy

The Physics and Astronomy Department at Vassar College offers students an engaging learning environment consisting of a rigorous program of study augmented by a diverse research agenda.

The department faculty are dedicated to continuously using and exploring innovative and effective teaching strategies, and to developing a strong research program aimed at providing ample opportunity for undergraduate students to have a hands-on experience. Physics and astronomy majors are prepared for graduate studies in not only physics and astronomy, but also engineering, education, and medicine. The faculty is also committed to teaching courses that promote scientific literacy for students who do not choose to major in the sciences.

News

Two people standing in a classroom speaking to each other with other people and classroom tables in the background. One of the people speaking is wearing a camouflage, military uniform.

Science and Tech Bring Vassar and West Point Together

Professor of Physics and Astronomy Jenny Magnes kicked off her leadership of Vassar’s West Point Initiative with a visit by six members of the West Point faculty to explore how the two institutions can share their scientific equipment, including Vassar’s new quantum computer.

Annie Dickson-Vandervelde, Faculty Research Associate in Physics and Astronomy, spoke to Science about a study on Jupiter’s moons.

A portrait of Stephen Andrade, a person with short black hair and beard, glasses, and a dark suit coat.

Vassar’s Newest Professors Hail from Burbank to Bulgaria

Vassar welcomes 15 new tenure-track faculty members—the largest cohort in more than 20 years—to the campus this fall.

20 people sitting around a large oval table in a room with large paintings, floor to ceiling windows, and long, gold drapery.

Convening in Edinburgh, International Group of Education Leaders Collaborate on Liberal Arts Initiatives

In March, representatives of Vassar, the University of Edinburgh, University of Global Health Equity in Rwanda, and the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay convened on the campus of the revered University of Edinburgh in Scotland to collaborate on initiatives incorporating the principles of the liberal arts.

Colette Salyk, Associate Professor of Astronomy and Chair of Physics and Astronomy on the Marisa Mitchell Chair at Vassar College poses in the library.

Colette Salyk Secures Grant from Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI)

Colette Salyk, Associate Professor of Astronomy and Chair of Physics and Astronomy on the Maria Mitchell Chair, has secured a Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI) grant award in collaboration with her colleague from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in support of a research program titled "Building on ALMA: a James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) legacy survey of the chemical evolution of planet-forming disks."

Vassar Prof on NASA Team That Makes Discovery on How Planets Are Formed

A Vassar astronomy professor is part of a team of scientists that has made a breakthrough discovery revealing how planets are formed.

Colette Salyk, Associate Professor of Astronomy, was quoted in Newsweek about the work she and other scientists have done with the James Webb Space Telescope to understand planet creation.

Ed Buie II Secures Grant Award from the Space Telescope Science Institute

Ed Buie II, Assistant Professor of Astronomy, received a grant award from the Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI) in support of the program titled "A Systematic Search for Wind-CGM Interactions in Star-forming Galaxies.”

Ed Buie II secures ACCESS research grant

Ed Buie II, Assistant Professor of Astronomy, secured an ACCESS research grant for supercomputing time on the Anvil Supercomputer at Purdue University for his project in “Exploring the Impact of Varying Star-Forming Backgrounds and Turbulent Conditions on Non-Equilibrium Chemistry in Simulated Galactic Halos.”