<p>How is the physics department at Davidson compared to the other good physics programs at LACs like Carleton or Williams?</p>
<p>Davidson has a very good physics department. It is a very small major at Davidson which can be both good and bad. You definitely are given lots of opportunities to be involved with research and things as a freshman but there are also fewer classes offered than at other schools. Davidson has a history, also, of several innovations in physics such as the first use of medical x-rays and the development of physlets, Java programs modeling physics situations. The average physics GPA is about a 2.7, higher only than economics with a 2.6, so it is definitely not an easy major. If you’re considering Davidson and physics, it may be worth it to reach out to some of the professors before hand. Good luck!</p>
<p>Are physics students at Davidson disadvantaged when applying to graduate school? Or does the quality of the program usually outweigh low GPA’s?</p>
<p>Thanks Willd1 that is a lot if help! And Jelly111, there is a list of PHD production for colleges in science and that should give you an idea of how students do there compared to other schools</p>
<p>could you post a link to that list?</p>
<p>Class of 2006 I was an econ major with what would now be considered a physics minor (no minor in my day).</p>
<p>The physics department is amazing. For a LAC, they give you the full run of the pillars of modern physics , and as so few majors come through, you can work with a professor on independent studies and actually impact what 400 level courses will be taught. I have fond memories of every professor but it is a hard department. </p>
<p>Many very strong graduate programs know Davidson well and the professors are a great help. The opportunity to do research for multiple years is also invaluable to an application (Davidson sciences require professors to take research seriously, which is different from many LAC). </p>