Students can explore introductory and advanced lessons in our learning labs while attaining hands-on experience in our research laboratories that are often not available at other institutions on the undergraduate level.
Our fully digital Spitz planetarium, located in Shineman Center is actively used in teaching and educational outreach and open to the campus and surrounding community.
The Computational Astrophysics Lab deals with computational and statistical methods, mainly with variable stars in astrophysics and their applications to fundamental problems in cosmology — such as the universe's age and distance scales. Available codes include a 3D adaptive mesh magnetohydrodynamic code, a state-of-the-art stellar evolution and linear non-adiabtaic pulsation code, access to a nonlinear non-adiabatic pulsation code, various period detection algorithms and programs to carry out Fourier transforms. This lab has access to a number of large astronomical databases and is the U.S. lead for the Joint Indo-U.S. Center for the Analysis of Variable Star Data.
The Nanoscale Technology in Sustainable Energy Laboratory (Nanolab) in G07 Shineman Center provides learning, teaching and comprehensive research on nanotechnology with emphases on nanomaterial synthesis and growth, in-depth studies of nanoscale interfaces, device fabrication, educational outreach and course development, with full student participation in each activity. Projects include creation of nanomaterials, third-generation solar cells and rechargeable lithium ion batteries. We use a wide array of characterization techniques including, UV-VIS spectroscopy, photoluminescence, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray, atomic force microscopy, X-ray diffraction, electrical conductivity, Hall Effect and magnetization.
The Thin Films Laboratory explores molecule adsorption and desorption from thin films, capillary condensation transitions and vibrational spectra calculations of pentacene derivatives. The projects may have theoretical, computational and experimental parts. Samples are fabricated by Langmuir-Blodgett technique or by spin coating technique and analyzed in the ultra-high vacuum chamber. The lab also enables electrical transport measurements of various films and devices.
The Atomic and optical physics lab explores light-matter interactions using laser spectroscopy. The technique enables us to perform precision atomic structure measurements such as hyperfine energy splittings and isotope shifts as well as the development of atomic sensors. Precise measurements of the energy level structure of complex atoms play an essential role in guiding the refinement and testing the accuracy of ab-initio atomic theory calculations which help to develop state-of-the-art atomic theories. Also, a better understanding of atomic structure through experiments allows further investigation of fundamental physics such as tests of The Standard Model, one of the most successful theories in physics which describe the fundamental interactions between elementary particles and hence our understanding of nature.
Our Observatory is fully automated — a rarity for a college of our size. This stargazing facility contains a 12.5-inch telescope outfitted with an H-alpha filter for solar viewing.