Research
Through coursework and independent research, you can gain hands-on experience in a variety of laboratory settings. Students enjoy working closely with faculty in one-on-one and small group settings on interdisciplinary research projects in many diverse fields, such as electronics, astrophysics, acoustics, geophysics, material science, solar cell technology and biomechanics.
Planetarium and Observatory
If you’re interested in astronomy, you’ll have the opportunity to design and code your own planetarium shows, and even incorporate your own music or graphics skills into the presentation. You can also learn how to use the telescopes at College Camp to take data and study exoplanets, supernovae or other astronomical objects.
STEM Outreach and Internships
From public planetarium shows and telescope observing nights to the programs and exhibits of the A.J. Read Science Discovery Center, a small, hands-on science center on campus, the Physics and Astronomy Department has a long and dynamic tradition of STEM outreach in which many students participate. Students are also encouraged to pursue and have successfully obtained summer internships at other universities and/or national laboratories.
Student Clubs and Organizations
Physics and Astronomy Club
The campus has an active Physics and Astronomy Club that welcomes students of any major. Best known for hosting public planetarium shows and organizing trips to conferences hosted by the American Physical Society, the club sponsors speakers, organizes field trips to industrial and academic laboratories, and actively engages students in science-related activities. In recent years, the club has participated in public education events such as NanoDays at The Science Discovery Center. Past club events also include a trip to Howe Caverns and overnight stays at College Camp lodge, where club members do everything from homework to watching movies to building robots.
Nebula Society
The Nebula Society is a group of students interested in learning how to use the campus planetarium and present planetarium shows. The club is made up of students from a variety of majors who enjoy exploring the connections between storytelling, graphic design, music, coding and science. Students design and present shows for their peers using the planetarium’s Digistar 6 software, and often work with other campus organizations to host music nights and open mic presentations in the planetarium.
Sigma Pi Sigma Honor Society
Sigma Pi Sigma exists to recognize outstanding scholarship in physics; to encourage interest in physics among students at all levels; to promote an attitude of service of its members towards their fellow students, colleagues and the public; and to provide a community for students who have excelled in physics.
2024-25
- Thomas Passannante
2023-24
- Tyler Mann
- Jacson Wolfe
2022-23
- Benjamin Curcio
- Ryan Sliwinski
- Andrew Lutz
2021-22
- Hadley Chan
- Nathaniel Schwed
- Jacob Ghiorse
2020-21 Inductees
- Shubham Bhavsar
- Daniel Ball
2019-20 Inductees
- Nicholas Kilmer
- Anthony Smith
- Sean Buchner
- Mitchell Collins
- Cass Szkodzinsky
2018-19 Inductees
- Mahmoud Jodeh
- Alex Idzinkski
- Melissa Marry
- Abigail White
- Andrew Baker
2017-18 Inductees
- Nathan Rutherford
- Hannah Olds
- Kevin Knox
- Andreas Stolzer
2016-17 Inductees
- Thomas McNamee
- Michael Russo
- Andrew Schlottman
- Ryan Crean
- Eian Trenkle
2015-16 Inductees
- Bridget Chartrand
- Joshua Louden
- Timothy Kilmer
- Zachary Ward
- Cheuk Hei (Jeffrey) Lee
- Michael Engesser
2014-15 Inductees
- Katherine Carpenter
- Daren Terpstra
- Christopher Mistico
- Kimmy Cushman
- Andrew Beach
2011-12
- Morgan Ennis
- Eric Simmons
- Grant Sendlewski
- Josiah Zulkosky
2010-11
- Anthony Di Pietro
- Jonathan Levine
- Michael Eramo
- Joseph Lewkowicz
2009-10
- James Benway
- Scott Suriano
- Paul Tom
2008-09
- Peter Anderson
- Luke D'Imperio
- Amanda Madden
- Rebecca Shea
- Joe Belarge
- Timothy Kelley
- Ashley Renko
2007-08
- Steven Bayne
- Joshua Hewlett
- Paige Harris
2006-07
- Michael Bartels
- Andrew Greene
- Robert Barton
2005-06
- Patrick Cole
- Graham Ostrander
- Corey Lemley
- Tom Ross
2004-05
- John Collins
- Joel Peterson
- Tom Davis
2003-04
- Kyle Haupfleisch
- Jacob Masker
- Dustin Winn
- Shaun Hurley
- Sean Timmons
2002-03
- Karen Norton
- Joshua Vanderpol
- Steven Stewart
2001-02
- Michael Cornell
- Chung Wong
Awards and Scholarships
List of Awardees
2025
- Andrew Lutz
2024
- Jacob Ghiorse
2023
- Nathaniel Schwed
2022
- Shubham Bhavsar
List of Awardees
2025-26
- Thomas Passannante
2024-25
- Andrew Lutz
2023-24
- Jacob Ghiorse
2022-23
- Jacob Ghiorse
2021-22
- Daniel Ball
2020-21
- Mitchell Collins
2019-20
- Anthony Smith
2018-19
- Nathan Rutherford
2017-18
- Michael Russo
2016-17
- Kimberly Cushman
2015-16
- Kimberly Cushman
2014-15 Inaugural
- Kimberly Cushman
List of Awardees
2025-26
- Julia Busemeye
2024-25
- Joshua Ippolito
2023-24
- Tyler Mann
2022-23
- Hadley Chan
2021-22
- Shubham Bhavsar
- Hadley Chan
2020-21
- Edgar Ochoa
- Shubham Bhavsar
2019-20
- Stephen Hatalla
2018-19
- Hannah Olds
2017-18
- Hannah Olds
2016-17
- Joshua Louden
- Michael Engesser
2015-16
2014-15
- Katherine Carpenter
2013-14 Inaugural
- Raymond Hartman
List of Awardees
2025-26
- Alexander Ashmall-Liversidge
- Jack Millen
- Jacson Wolfe
2024-25
- Lucanthony Angrand
- Benjamin Curcio
- Jacson Wolfe
2023-24
- Andrew Lutz
- Ryan Sliwinski
- Josiah Tyler
2022-23
- Benjamin Curcio
- Nathaniel Schwed
- Tyler Mann
2021-22 Awardees
- Shubham Bhavsar
- Nathaniel Schwed
- Stephanie Carpenter
2020-21 Awardees
- Nicholas Kilmer
- Daniel Ball
2019-20
- Abigail White
- Nicholas White
2018-19
- Kevin Knox
- Abigail White
2017-18
- Nathan Rutherford
- Eian Trenkle
2016-17
- Andreas Stolzer
- Dillon Jones
- Hannah Olds
- Zachary Aleba
2015-16
2014-15
- Andrew Schlottman
- Cheuk Hei Lee
- Timothy Kilmer
- Christopher Nistico
2013-14
- Timothy Kilmer
- Raymond Hartmann
- Christopher Nistico
- Joseph Ivanov
2012-13
- Amanda Peloso
- Anthony DiPietro
- Raymond Hartmann
2011-12
- Anthony DiPietro
- Jonathan Levine
- Michael Eramo
- Morgan Ennis
2010-11
- Michael Salerno
- Luke D'Imperio
- Scott Suriano
2009-10
- Scott Suriano
- Amanda Madden
- Peter Anderson
2008-09
- Amanda Madden
- Paige Harris
- Joshua Hewlett
2007-08
- Michael Bartels
- Graham Ostrander
- Stephen Bayne
2006-07
- Robert Barton
- Peter Hoffman
2005-06
- Kyle Hauptfleisch
- Joel Peterson
2004-05
- Patrick Cole
- Patrick Brosnan
- Kar Him Chiu
- Peter Hoffman
- Sarah Gilbert
- Johns Collins
2003-04
- Julie Arrighi
- David Kelly
2002-03
- Kyle Hauptfleisch
- Karen Norton
- Sean Timmons
- Sabrina Santangelo
- Steven Steward
2001-02
- Vance Yakubec
- Michael Cornell
- Steven Stewart
- Rachel Sardo
- Chung Wong
2000-01
- Michael Cornell
- Jason Blydenburgh
- Christopher Boyd
- Richard Gray
List of Awardees
- Kyle Hauptfleisch
Contact the Physics & Astronomy Department
Physical Science II
108 Ravine Parkway
Oneonta, NY 13820
United States