Research
The physics department encourages students to participate in an undergraduate research project. The department offers theoretical and experimental projects in astrophysics, atomic physics, condensed matter, cosmology, and particle physics. A number of our students have presented their work at professional conferences and in peer-reviewed journals. Each year around 10 physics majors participate in the Holy Cross summer science research program. These student researchers receive a summer stipend and additional funds for equipment and travel.
Summer Research Program
Holy Cross maintains a robust summer research program which provides students nine weeks of campus-based research under the direction of a faculty member. For an overview of faculty research topics in the department, please visit our faculty directory. For more information about the research program, please see the Office of the Science Coordinator website.
Women in Physics
The Holy Cross Women in Physics group provides support, mentorship, and career development opportunities to its members. The group consists of students, alumni, and tenure-track and visiting faculty in the Holy Cross physics department.
WiP, as the group is affectionately known, hosts monthly events, including liquid nitrogen ice cream/pizza socials, rocket launches, astronomy nights, talks and presentations from invited guests, workshops on tackling exams and applying to graduate schools. WiP cohosts annual college events like the Women in Science day in association with the other Women in Science groups on campus and organizes and funds its members to participate in the annual Conference for Undergraduate Women in Physics hosted by the American Physical Society.
We use an inclusive definition of “woman” and “female” and we welcome trans women, genderqueer women, and non-binary people and men in our group. We believe in supporting the many intersections of our members’ identities, such as (but not limited to) race, sexual orientation, gender expression, socioeconomic class, and immigrant/indigenous status.
Upcoming Events
There are currently no upcoming events.
Past Events
November 15, 2022
Women in Physics Presents: Meet and Greet with Dr. Berghaus
Students met with Dr. Kim Berghaus, a theoretical physicists at Stony Brook University.
October 17, 2022
Holy Cross Physics Colloquium
Future Changes in Extreme Precipitation over the Northeast U.S
Robert Nazarian, Ph.D. ('12)
April 6, 2022
Physics Department Alumni Panel 2022
Panelists: Allison Hartman ('13), Chantal Umahoza ('20), and Dan Barrett ('13)
April 15, 2021
Women in Physics Presents: A virtual screening of the movie Picture a Scientist
This event was followed by a live panel discussion with representatives from STEM departments.
April 28, 2020
Women in Physics Presents: Breakthrough
The group watched two documentaries via Zoom and had a lively discussion. The documentaries included “Breakthrough: Connecting the Dots” and “Breakthrough: Snapshots from Afar.”
3-2 Program in Engineering
The 3-2 Program offers a cooperative, five-year program for students who are interested in combining the liberal arts and sciences with engineering. The majority of students who take part in the program are physics majors.
Students spend three years as full-time students at Holy Cross and two years as full-time students at Columbia University in New York City. At the conclusion of the program, students receive both a bachelor of arts from Holy Cross and a bachelor of science in engineering from Columbia University. For program requirements and other information, visit the program’s website.
Workshop Tutors
Students may work as tutors in department workshops, furthering their own understanding of subject matter through explanation and education. Tutors are chosen by the department based on academic and interpersonal skills. For more information, please see the Academic Services and Learning Resources website.
Teacher Education Program
The Teacher Education Program prepares undergraduate students to become highly effective, reflective, justice-seeking educators. The program leads to an initial license in Massachusetts at the secondary or middle school level. Interested students should consult with the director of the Teacher Education Program or visit the program’s site.
Navy ROTC With a Physics Major
An education in physics dovetails well with the College’s Naval ROTC program, and each year physics majors and minors take part in this program. Visit the Department of Naval Science website for requirements and benefits.
Nugent Gold Medal
The Nugent memorial medal was founded in the early 1900s by Rev. Edward Evans Seagrave in memoriam of John F. Nugent 1893. It is presented to students who have shown excellence in physics at Holy Cross. The award is usually made to a single student each year, but occasionally two exceptional students will share the award, and in some years no student will achieve the high standards required of the award.
| Year | Name | Postgraduate Pursuit |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Joseph E. Nyhan | University of California, Santa Cruz |
| 2021 | Michael McGrath | Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab |
|
2020 |
Wilber A. Alfaro Castro |
Boston College |
|
2019 |
Yihui Jin |
University of Chicago |
|
2018 |
Zachery H. St. Pierre |
Software Developer at Medumo |
|
2017 |
Joseph G. Wihbey, III |
3-2 Engineering Program, Columbia University |
|
2016 |
Zachary Fernandes |
Economics Research Assistant, Federal Reserve Bank, Washington DC. |
|
2014 |
Kevin Blanchette |
MSc., Imperial College, London, England |
|
2013 |
Craig Richardson |
Engineering Program, Boston University |
|
2012 |
Justin DeFrancisco |
Ph.D. Program, Johns Hopkins University |
|
2011 |
Steve Anderson |
Ph.D. Program in Physics, University of New Hampshire |
|
2010 |
Brendon O’Leary |
Ph.D. Program, Yale University |
|
2009 |
John Singleton |
MS in Engineering Program, Carnegie Mellon University |
|
2008 |
James Daly |
Medical School, Rosalind Franklin University |
|
2007 |
Daniel O'Connor |
Sponsored Teaching in Singapore |
|
2006 |
Stephanie Stattel |
3-2 Engineering Program, Columbia University |
|
2005 |
Corinne Butova |
Programmer analyst, Meditech Inc. |
|
2004 |
Lindsey Lavoie |
Ph.D. Program, University of Florida |
|
2003 |
John Giblin |
Ph.D. Program, Brown University |
|
2002 |
Caroline Berger |
Ph.D. Program, Duke University |
|
2001 |
Lori Masso |
Engineer, Raytheon Co. & MS Program, Tufts University |
|
2000 |
Anne Marie March |
Ph.D. program, Stony Brook University |