Physics
In recent years Bryn Mawr College has averaged 9 physics majors per year, approximately 3% of the graduating class. This is nearly 50 times the national average for women graduating with undergraduate physics degrees in the United States.
Undergraduate majors are attracted to the department for many reasons including our emphasis on student learning and effective teaching practices, close student-faculty interaction, extensive research opportunities for undergraduates, and the chance to integrate a complete physics education within a liberal arts environment.
Graduate students are attracted to the department by our opportunites for independent work in a variety of fields, close interaction with research faculty, and the rich teaching and research environment offered on campus and by several other universities in the area.
In September 1998 the Department of Physics was awarded The Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Mentoring in "recognition of the department's excellence in mentoring underrepresented students and encouraging their achievement in science, mathematics, and engineering."
In 2003 the National Task Force on Undergraduate Physics choose Bryn Mawr as one of 21 schools that exemplify best practices in creating thriving physics departments.