Accessibility Statement.

White Background with Triangle Pattern

Physics & Optical Engineering - Student Opportunities

The Physics & Optical Engineering department offers a variety of opportunities, including our Accelerated Math Physics program for incoming freshman, and undergraduate research projects.

More Research Opportunities

We believe the best way to learn is by doing, so we you’ll be in the lab early and often, with lots of individual attention from your professors. Ourteaching, research, and MiNDs laboratories, and observatory, are stocked with modern equipment. Meet some of our faculty and learn more about their areas of expertise and current projects below.

Dr. Nizar Ezroura

Dr. Nizar Ezroura, Physics

Dr. Ezroura's research interests include understanding the laws of physics at the boundaries of quantum mechanics and gravity, as well as investigating black holes and other extreme gravitational systems.

Dr. Ludovici standing at the Oakley Observatory.

Dr. Dominic Ludovici, Astronomy

Dr. Ludovici's research interests include small telescope research and instrumentation and non-thermal sources in the Galactic Center. He is the director of the Oakley Observatory where he oversees student astronomical research.

Dr. Duree talks to a student in a classroom.

Dr. Galen Duree, Ultrashort pulse laser systems

Dr. Duree’sresearch interests involve optically induced waveguides, wavelength dense multiplexing using photorefractive material, and ultrashort pulse laser phenomena.

Dr. Granieri points toward device in laboratory as two men look on.

Sergio Granieri, Optical signal processing

Dr. Granieri’s research include optical signal processing, optical communications, and fiber optic components and applications.

Dr. Joenathan works with male student in optics lab.

Charles Joenathan, Interferometry, Holography

Dr. Joenathan’s research activities include the Interferometry, speckle technique, electronic speckle pattern interferometry, holography, fiber optic sensors, and optical metrology.

Dr. Daniel Hashemi

Dr. Daniel Hashemi, Physics

Dr. Hashemi's research interests include computational materials science and atomistic simulations, first-principles modeling of material properties, structural and magnetic characterization of nanostructures, and materials design for energy storage and electronic devices.

Dr. Nicole Pfiester

Dr. Nicole Pfiester, Optics

Dr. Pfiester's research interests include metasurfaces, optoelectronics, sensing applications, and semiconductor and nanomaterial processing.

Dr. Kirtley manipulates device in physics lab as male student looks on.

Dr. Sudipa Kirtley, X-ray absorption

Dr. Kirtley’s research topics include x-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES), spectroscopy in complex materials (biological, fossil-fuels) to elucidate chemical structures of hetero atoms, UV-V is absorption and fluorescence.

Department News

Learn about the latest happenings, student research, and more in physics & optical engineering a Rose-Hulman.

physics and optical engineering
Left: Michael A. Huhnke and his wife, Karen. Right: Dr. Bruce Danner.

Alumnus, Wife Establish Faculty Fellowship Honoring Former Physics Professor

physics and optical engineering
Don Lincoln, wearing a shirt with an image of the Milky Way, speaks on the TED stage.

Alumnus Don Lincoln is a Particle Physicist who Brings Knowledge to the Masses

physics and optical engineering
A student in professional clothing holds a padfolio while talking to an employer.

Rose-Hulman Graduates Achieve Record Salaries and Exceptional Placement Outcomes

Quote

Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood. Now is the time to understand more, so that we may fear less.

- Marie Curie

Polish-French chemist, physicist and Nobel Prize recipient

Facilities & Resources

We believe the best way to learn is by doing, so we place emphasis on lab work with a hands-on approach. Our teaching, research, and MiNDs laboratories, and observatory, are stocked with modern equipment. Here, you’ll have the opportunity for hands-on undergraduate research experiences that most schools reserve for graduate students.

Research Labs

Our photonics, fiber, acoustics, and semiconductor magneto-optics laboratories are equipped with leading edge technology for undergraduate and graduate research projects.

Teaching Labs

Our state-of-the-art introductory physics laboratories have modern equipment to help you master the concepts you learn in the classroom.

MiNDs Cleanroom

Starting as a first-year student, our MiNDs cleanroom will give you opportunities in the area of semiconductor and micro/nano technology through courses and hands-on experiments in fabrication, characterization and modeling of micro/nano devices and systems. There are numerous professors performing state of the art research with undergraduates within the cleanroom year round.

Oakley Observatory

Located just east of the main campus, Oakley Observatory is equipped for teaching, as well as conducting research in variable star photometry, searching for supernovae or searching for comets.

Dr. Duree poses with his book Optics for Dummies.

Dr. Galen Duree

Dr. Duree, head of the Department of Physics and Optical Engineering, joined the faculty of Rose-Hulman in 1999. His areas of expertise include photorefractive phenomena, nonlinear optics, laser physics, ultra-short pulse laser phenomena. He authored the book Optics for Dummies an "approachable introduction to optical science, methods, and applications."

Campus map

Contact Us

Department of Physics & Optical Engineering
Moench Hall CL106
5500 Wabash Avenue
Terre Haute, IN 47803
812-877-8309
duree@rose-hulman.edu 

Launch Root Quad
Return to Top