It’s a common question from parents: What would my son or daughter do with a physics degree? If it’s a physics degree from Rollins, the answer is easy: You can do anything.

Graduates from the program are now lawyers, professors, bankers, programmers, and business owners. In fact, a lot of students enter the physics major through the back door, with interests in photography or cosmetics or earthquakes or music. Then they discover through exciting lab work that physics can be applied to any interest.

Students work together with instructors to think analytically, solve problems, and to write and present—skills that will set you apart in any field.


Why Study Physics at Rollins

  1. A Relational Approach

    From day one, the faculty takes a personal interest in you. It’s a tight-knit group, so every student feels comfortable asking questions and then working with a professor to find answers.

  2. Research-Grade Equipment

    An acoustical lab. An optics lab. An atomic-force microscope. Lasers and high-speed cameras. Undergrads learn to set up professional gear from scratch and use it instead of merely observing.

  3. Empowerment for Success

    Most colleges offer research experience, but at Rollins you can start lab work after your first year. The goal is not for professors to publish findings and present them—it’s for you to do it.

Interested in Studying Physics at Rollins?

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Emma Broming ’12

“People might wonder how my physics degree at Rollins helped with my career in economic and financial consulting. The training in creative problem solving gave me the clarity and the confidence to tackle complicated topics of any kind. They’re the kinds of skills that will always be valuable, no matter how the marketplace changes.”

Emma Broming ’12

Associate and Equity Shareholder, Premier Quantitative Consulting, Inc.


Rollins Physics Careers

Rollins physics grads are making tomorrow happen at some of the world’s most innovative companies and organizations.

  • Nicholas Bowers

    Nicholas Bowers ’14

    Senior Product Manager, Amazon’s Choice
  • Sarah Evans

    Sarah Evans ’06

    Undergraduate Coordinator, Initiatives in STEM, University of Central Florida
  • Mitch Verboncoeur

    Mitch Verboncoeur ’14

    Associate Attorney, McKool Smith
  • Daniel Zietlow

    Daniel Zietlow ’10

    Educational Designer, The National Center for Atmospheric Research
  • Aditya Mahara

    Aditya Mahara ’12

    Product Manager, AstraZeneca
  • Ashley Cannaday ’11

    Ashley Cannaday null

    Assistant Professor of Physics

Real World Experience

From internships and research opportunities, physics students hone their skills in the real world.

  • Amazon
  • Boeing
  • Seimens
  • Epic
  • Yale University
  • The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Professor and students in a class discussion at a Rollins outdoor classroom

See for Yourself

Get a feel for Rollins’ unique brand of engaged learning and personalized attention through one of our virtual or in-person visit experiences.

Take a Closer Look

Popular Courses


A Day in the Life of a Rollins Physics Major

“From my first year, Rollins allowed me to work closely with professors and has opened up numerous research, internship, and potential career opportunities.”

Chris Becker ’20

Customer Success Analyst, Alegeus


Beyond the Classroom

Student-Faculty Collaborative Research Program Work with a professor on your research for a summer, continue it through the school year, and then present to an audience of PhDs at a major national or international conference—a rare opportunity for undergraduates. Many of these projects result in students publishing articles in scientific journals before they graduate.

Pre-Engineering Program Rollins provides students with the opportunity to combine a three-year program in the liberal arts with two years of professional academic work in engineering at one of three prestigious institutions: Washington University, Case Western Reserve, or Auburn.

NSF Undergraduate Research Experience A competitive program supported by the National Science Foundation allows students to prepare research findings to be published and presented at national conferences.



Keep Exploring

Take a deeper dive into physics at Rollins by meeting your future professors, seeing our grads in action, and sitting in on a class.

Physics professor Whitney Coyle working with her students.

May 04, 2023

What It’s Like ... to Partner with Your Professor

Thanks to acoustical research they conducted alongside physics professor Whitney Coyle, Makayle Kellison ’25 and Maggie Kuffskie ’25 played a role in the historic launch of the Artemis I rocket.

Kasandra Riley and Brandon McNichol ’19 work together in a chemistry lab.

December 01, 2022

Rollins Receives Inclusive Excellence in STEM Grant

The six-year grant will support the College in its efforts to foster inclusivity and belonging for those who have been historically underrepresented in the sciences.

September 16, 2021

Guiding Greatness

At Rollins, our professors are equal parts knowledgeable and fascinating, providing
personalized attention to students in and outside the classroom while becoming mentors, research partners, and lifelong guides.

July 22, 2021

Moore Receives NSF Grant to Support Undergraduate Research

Physics professor Thom Moore’s research project will focus on understanding the basic physics and acoustical impact of cylindrical and rectangular pipes in flue organ pipes and recorders.

July 02, 2021

Murdaugh Honored with Cornell Distinguished Teaching Award

The Cornell Distinguished Teaching Award, named for George D. Cornell ‘35, honors Rollins faculty who have distinguished themselves through outstanding teaching.

June 16, 2021

Rollins Faculty Receive Inclusivity in STEM Learning Grant

The grant will go toward funding a variety of interdisciplinary programs focused on better serving marginalized students who wish to pursue STEM degrees, both at Rollins and beyond.


Expert Faculty

Physics professors at Rollins are at the top of the field and have chosen to teach here because of the satisfaction gained from creating a collaborative learning environment for every student, regardless of gender or background.

Department of Physics

Bush Science Center
1000 Holt Ave. – 2743
Winter Park, FL 32789

Telephone: 407.646.2223

Fax: 407.646.2479

Visit the Department of Physics Website

Contact Physics Professors

  • Ashley Cannaday

    Ashley Cannaday, PhD

    Assistant Professor of Physics

    Research interests: Lasers and optics; coherent light scattering

  • Whitney Coyle

    Whitney Coyle, PhD

    Associate Professor of Physics

    Research interests: Musical acoustics with an emphasis on woodwind instruments; understanding the complicated mechanisms that contribute to the playability of particular instruments

  • Samantha Fonseca

    Samantha Fonseca, PhD

    Assistant Professor of Physics

    Research interests: Computational molecular dynamics

  • Christopher Fuse

    Christopher Fuse, PhD

    Associate Professor of Physics, Department Chair

    Research interests: Astrophysics and galaxy morphology

  • Thomas Moore

    Thomas Moore, PhD

    Professor of Physics

    Research interests: Laser-based methods for studying sub-micrometer motion; musical acoustics with an emphasis on brass instruments and piano

  • Anne Murdaugh

    Anne Murdaugh, PhD

    Associate Professor of Physics

    Research interests: Biophysics using atomic force microscopy