The department offers a program of lecture and laboratory courses to guide students on an exploration of the basic processes in their physical environment. The dynamic interplay between theory and experiment provides a key component of the intellectual life of the department's faculty and students. Through classroom and laboratory exercises and supervised research projects, students are encouraged to integrate their experience with important physical principles, to formulate well-posed problems, to produce and evaluate solutions, and to communicate their conclusions. Computers are used in several courses as tools in this chain of reasoning, to enhance the collection and analysis of experimental data and to model and display theoretical concepts. The study of physics focuses on the interrelation of complex phenomena and a critical evaluation of conclusions.

A major in physics prepares students for entry-level positions in research, development, scientific programming, technical writing, teaching, and other positions requiring technical skills. It is also appropriate for students wishing to pursue graduate study in physics; related professions, such as astrophysics, biophysics, meteorology or oceanography; or other professions, such as engineering, medicine, business, or law. A minor in physics enhances students' comprehension of technical phenomena.

In addition to offering a major and a minor in physics and engineering physics, a major in engineering, and a minor in astrophysics, the department participates in several cooperative programs. Students wishing to combine a liberal arts education with an undergraduate engineering degree should inquire about the engineering programs in cooperation with the University of Virginia. This program leads to undergraduate degrees from Randolph-Macon and either bachelor's or master's degrees from the cooperating institution. In a cooperative program with the U.S. Navy, students may spend alternate semesters at Randolph-Macon and at the Naval Surface Warfare Center in Dahlgren, Virginia, where they participate in a work-training program, for which they are remunerated.

Grades of C- or better in PHYS 151 and PHYS 152 are required for acceptance into the advanced programs described above. Physics majors participating in the cooperative engineering programs must complete the physics core and collegiate requirements with a B+ average in science and mathematics courses as well as overall.

Students interested in any of these programs are encouraged to meet as early as possible with a member of the physics department to plan their collegiate program of study: Astrophysics - Professor Rodruck; Engineering or Engineering Physics - Professor McLeskey; Physics - Professor Woolard; Physics teaching certification - Professor Dominguez; Co-op Engineering - Professor McLeskey.

Students majoring in physics are also required to participate in assessment activities administered by the department or by the college.

The department highly encourages each student to participate in research opportunities outside of their normal course work. PHYS 271-PHYS 274, the college's Schapiro Undergraduate Research Fellowship Program (SURF) and the NSF Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) are some examples of programs which provide students unique research experiences. Students who successfully complete SURF, REU or other research internship programs may request research proficiency for PHYS 400 and substitute another elective course on the physics major. Review of the student's work and permission of the department is required.