Physics Department

Astronomy is the science of observing the universe. Using telescopes and specialized instruments, you'll track planets, measure starlight, and trace the histories of galaxies, continuing a tradition at McDaniel that dates back to our namesake, William R. McDaniel, who taught astronomy here more than a century ago.

Where astronomy asks what is out there, astrophysics asks why it behaves the way it does. You'll use physics, mathematics, and computation to explain how stars shine, how black holes and galaxies form, and how the universe began, building a strong foundation for graduate school and research careers.

Every bridge, aircraft, and artificial joint depends on understanding how materials and structures respond to force. This major gives you the physics and mathematics beneath every branch of engineering, along with a liberal arts education that prepares you to design thoughtfully for the people your work will serve.

For students who want to understand how the world works at every scale, from subatomic particles to planets. You'll learn in small, hands-on classes, complete a research project with a faculty mentor, and can pursue our dual degree partnership with Washington University in St. Louis to add an engineering degree.

Physics and computing have always grown together, from the transistors inside every chip to the simulations that model the cosmos. This specialization pairs a physics major with study in computer architecture, programming, and machine learning, preparing you to work at the frontier where physics drives new hardware and AI transforms how science gets done.

Some of the most important physics happens in a high school classroom, where a single great teacher can spark a lifelong love of science. This path pairs a full physics major with the coursework and classroom experience to teach at the middle and high school level, so you can inspire the next generation of curious minds.