Advanced Physics Labs
Real-world research experience
The advanced physics labs (APL) have been providing our students with real-world research experience for several decades. Students in these courses receive hands-on experience running experiments, analyzing results, and communicating what they've learned to their peers.
Skills That Matter in the Real World
From classroom experiments to cutting-edge industry and research labs, the skills students learn in these courses develop analytical, technical, and problem-solving expertise that employers and research labs highly value. Students taking these courses design parts of their procedures, learn how real laboratories handle uncertainty and noise, automate measurements, record and manage their own data, and compare results to theoretical predictions.
Technical and Computational
Building and using tools to solve problems
Students practice
- operating advanced scientific instruments
- planning and executing complex experiments
- programming and simulations
- automating data collection
These skills are applied in the real world by
- designing and running lab experiments from start to finish
- developing test and measurement protocols in research and development
- configuring measurement and control systems in industry
- simulating physical systems for design optimization
- automating data acquisition and analysis
Analytical Thinking
Turning raw numbers into decisions
Students practice
- data modeling
- problem solving
- evaluating and optimizing experimental design
- data analysis and error and uncertainty analysis
These skills are applied in the real world by
- predicting and optimizing system performance
- diagnosing complex engineering or physical systems
- analyzing experimental data and simulation results
Collaboration and Communication
Sharing knowledge and working together
Students practice
- teamwork
- presentation techniques
These skills are applied in the real world by
- working in teams
- documenting and communicating technical findings
- training or mentoring colleagues
- delivering presentations or publishing papers
Where do these skills lead?
Advanced physics labs prepare students for a wide range of career paths across science, engineering, and industry.
Research and Scientific Careers
- physicist
- research scientist
- research collaborator
Leadership, Communication, and Education
- project manager
- technical writer
- educator / trainer
Engineering and Applied Technology
- electrical / electronics engineer
- mechanical / civil engineer
- instrumentation engineer
- systems engineer
- research and development engineer
Data, Modeling, and Quantitative Analysis
- quality assurance / test engineer
- data scientist / analyst
- applied mathematician
- financial engineer
Physics 401: Classical Physics Lab
“I find that [this] lab course was instrumental in steering me in the direction of graduate school— and particularly into the field of electrical engineering—given the hands-on experience we gained in several relevant topics like linear time-invariant systems, transmission lines, and microwave cavities."
“In fact, I am especially interested in the electromagnetics, optics, and remote-sensing focus—in no small part thanks to these experiments we conducted in [this] course.”
Evan G.
Physics 402: Light
The PHYS 402 course is meant for advanced undergraduate and graduate students who are interested in experimental photonics. Students will gain hands-on experience with experimental techniques in optics, including the design and assembly of optical setups, data acquisition and analysis. The emphasis of the course is on using methods that simulate research as conducted in real-world laboratories.
Physics 403: Modern Experimental Physics
“The labs offered real experience, effectively introducing me to these material characterization methods. Now, I am more aware of their advantages and limitations and can consider their merit when probing material properties in future research.”
Alexander R.
Physics 404: Electronic Circuits
In this course, students will learn about topics such as the physics of semiconductor devices and the theory and application of discrete and integrated devices in linear circuits. Students will get practice and feedback on using operational amplifiers and will learn about regulation, oscillators, and modulation.
Physics 407: Experimental Biophysics
For advanced undergraduate and graduate students interested in the connection between biology and physics (no prior biology experience needed). This course explores Nobel Prize–winning experiments in biological physics and quantitative biology. Students will learn important techniques, including optical imaging beyond the diffraction limit, optical trapping of microorganisms and subcellular structures, optical detection using nitrogen vacancy centers, molecular biology and statistical analyses for testing evolutionary models, and computational prediction of protein folding.