GUIDING PRINCIPLES
Villanova Physics is a community of scholars powered by curiosity, enthusiastically dedicated to understanding the fundamental principles of the natural world.
Physics is the human endeavor to understand the nature of matter, energy, and their governing interactions from the scale of subatomic particles to that of the cosmos. Through the interplay of theoretical effort and experimentation, physics strives to discover the mathematical laws of nature. As such, it both forms a foundation for a liberal arts education and provides a framework to address key challenges in our ever-changing technical world.
The Department of Physics at Villanova University is a nurturing, supportive, and inclusive academic community that strives to reflect the values of the University. We undertake our mission to educate undergraduate students in a broad range of experimental, theoretical, and computational methods through classroom and laboratory experiences. Our students address fundamental questions of nature through meaningful participation in faculty-led research that connects them with physicists around the world. The critical thinking and problem-solving skills learned by our students enable them to engage the diverse world beyond Villanova, whether they continue in the field of physics or choose to apply their educational experience to the challenges of another field.
While studying Physics at Villanova, students will develop:
- abilities in scientific creativity and innovation
- quantitative and deductive reasoning abilities
- practical dexterity with experimental methods and equipment
- scientific writing and oral presentation skills necessary to effectively communicate understanding and results of both experimental and theoretical findings
The Department of Physics values and embraces diversity in our student, faculty, and staff populations and strives to create a community of mutual respect and inclusion. We recognize and value the perspectives of individuals with diverse backgrounds, identities, and beliefs. These perspectives bring a wealth of ideas and experiences to bear on our classes, our science, and the functioning of our Department. Therefore, we commit to enabling diverse students, staff, and faculty to find encouraging community within the Department. We commit to infusing our curriculum with practices that help all students to succeed and provide experiences and skills to enable our graduates to work in diverse environments. By listening to and learning from people with diverse viewpoints and by recognizing the effects of our Departmental actions on the climate of the University and society, we find motivation and guidance for our efforts.
EXTERNAL RESOURCES
APS Resource for Minorities in Physics
Includes an extensive list of minority science organizations. Including:
- National Society of Black Physicists (NSBP)
- Society for the Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in Science
APS Minorities in Physics
APS National Mentoring Community (NMC)
The APS National Mentoring Community (NMC) facilitates and supports mentoring relationships between African American, Hispanic American, and Native American undergraduate physics students and local physics mentors. Membership in the NMC is free for both Mentors and Mentees.
APS Minority Physicist Profiles
lgbt+physicists
An advocacy group for people in physics who are considered sexual minorities and/or gender minorities. Their website hosts an OutList, with names of physics professionals who choose to publicly identify themselves as LGBT+ physicists or allies, as well as media resources and a blog.
oSTEM (Out in STEM)
A national society dedicated to educating and fostering leadership for LGBT+ communities in the STEM fields
APS LGBT+ Resources
APS Women in Physics
Conference for Undergraduate Women in Physics (CUWiP)
COLLEGE GUIDING PRINCIPLES
COLLEGE MISSION
DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION
SUSTAINABLITY