<p>^^^I'm really torn right now. I want to go into theoretical physics, so I'm thinking of majoring in physics, math, and possibly CS. I'm interested in research opporunites and the sheer difficulty of the courses. So URochester or CMU?</p>
<p>Physics at the UofR are excellent. As you may've already heard - Rochester houses the world's most powerful UV laser and is currently in the middle of constructing what is to be THE world's most powerful laser, at the Laboratory for Laser Energetics. Basically, the University of Rochester is the place to be for the optic sciences (as well as imaging and photography i heard...)</p>
<p>Rochester gets lots of funding for its physics through its Fusion Sciences Center for Extreme States of Matter - Here's the description of the FSC from the website:</p>
<p>"The U.S. Department of Energy has chosen the University of Rochester to host one of two Fusion Science Centers. The FSC for Extreme States of Matter will develop an understanding of the physics of creating extreme states of matter using a combination of high-energy drivers (compression) and high-intensity lasers (heating). The work will culminate in integrated experiments using both aspects. These experiments will be conducted at the major national high-energy-density (HED) science facilities (OMEGA-EP, NIF, and Z) in a synergistic relationship with a National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) initiative for short pulse HED science. The Center will bring academic scientists from around the country into a collaboration that will foster rapid progress in this exciting field. It will also provide support for graduate students and post-doctoral research associates as well as organize workshops and a summer school in high-energy-density physics. A major long-term goal is to study fast ignition as a potential future energy source. "</p>
<p>Rochester prides itself on its physics department actually and because of this the physics courses at the UofR tend to be for upper-scale physics people (I believe even the easiest physics track is designed for engineer majors, from there it gets crazy o.o)</p>
<p>I spoke to a PhD in Physics who did alot of work with the University of Chicago and he had great things to say about the Physics Department at the University of Rochester (and stony brook actually)- unfortunately im not much of a physics person...=P</p>
<p>Thats what I know about the physics department, hope it helps.</p>
<p>thanks for ur input awakien</p>
<p>Excellent for physics... Not so much for math :)</p>