Mission Statement:
The Physics Department at the University of Southern Maine strives to promote a love of learning about physics, to teach about the process of doing science, cultivating a skeptical attitude toward data analysis, and building a working knowledge of the major areas of physics. Our program also places specific emphasis on computational fluency, and the ability to communicate effectively in written and spoken genres. We strive to graduate students who will be well-prepared to enter Ph.D. programs in physics or astronomy, and to be prepared to enter jobs in data science related fields. We are especially pleased that we have graduated a number of first generation college students that have gone on to graduate programs in physics and related fields.
Diversity Statement:
We join with physicists and astronomers around the world in acknowledging the systemic racism that is limiting the participation of Black individuals and other individuals of color in our fields. We also strive to be welcoming to all genders; as a department we commit to learning about racism and gender issues, listening to our students, discussing with each other, and taking actions to become a place where all can thrive.