Yale’s science majors are welcomed into a world of internationally respected faculty who work at the frontiers of contemporary research. As part of Yale’s longstanding tradition, science programs are distinguished by the emphasis placed on undergraduate education: classes are small, and the faculty is easily accessible to undergraduates.
Physics Courses
The physics program will train students—majors and nonmajors—to think like physicists, the hallmarks of which include: striving for fundamental explanations that have broad predictive power; appreciating that quantitative analysis is necessary for understanding; simplifying physical situations to their essentials to enable the development of mathematical models to explain and predict experimental data; and comparing experimental data from the natural world to theory.
Select the Best Introductory Physics Courses for You
A guide to help
The Yale Physics Department offers four two-semester introductory physics sequences as well as two introductory lab sequences and one advanced lab. We’ve created this guide to aid students and advisors to decide which path is most appropriate for each student.
Undergraduate Research Opportunities
The Physics program strongly encourages undergraduate students to participate in cutting-edge research as early as possible. Such research can culminate in the senior project, but at an early stage it can be undirected, allowing students to sample a variety of research avenues. Many undergraduate students do not have prior experience in specific research topics, so on-site training is considered the norm. Students are encouraged to take initiative in seeking out potential advisers.
Physics Labs
Hands on learning
Our labs will expose you to some basic concepts of physics and give you experience and expertise in laboratory tools and techniques. This includes & quantitative measurement strategies, data analysis using computational tools (computers, software), and experimental design.
Undergraduate Program Contacts
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Sarah Demers
Professor of Physics
Department Chair
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Reina Maruyama
Professor of Physics and Astronomy
Director of Undergraduate Studies
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Meng Cheng
Associate Professor of Physics
Associate Director of Undergraduate Studies
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Daphne Klemme
Senior Administrative Assistant
Undergraduate Registrar
Apply to Yale
The Yale Physics undergraduate program offers degrees through Yale College.
Stay Connected
See our group on Yale Connect, our new communication tool.
Undergraduate News
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Daniel Mladek receives a Robert C. Bates Postgraduate Fellowship from Yale
Daniel Mladek, YC’2026, received a Robert C. Bates Yale Postgraduate Fellowship which will help fund his research abroad.
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Daniel Mladek and Andrew Nupp receive Fulbright grants
Mladek and Nupp, both members of YC’2026, were two of three-dozen recent graduates who received grants from the Fulbright U.S. Student Program.
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Yale Physics research represented at DAMOP Meeting
Members of Yale Physics attended the 57th Annual Meeting of the APS Division of Atomic, Molecular and Optical Physics from June 1-5, 2026.
