Physics is primarily a basic science, and fundamental research into the principles of physics continues to occupy the attention of many physicists. The study of physics also has become increasingly important as a basis for fundamental research in interdisciplinary areas such as biophysics, chemical physics, and materials science, and as an applied science in government and industrial labs. Furthermore, as society becomes more technically oriented, an education in physics can provide an advantageous preprofessional foundation.

The School of Physics offers basic service courses to freshmen and sophomores, some advanced service courses for students in other units of the Institute, and advanced studies leading to the bachelor's, master's, and Ph.D. degrees in physics. The School seeks to provide elective freedom in its degree programs in order to enable students with a wide variety of goals to construct programs of study suitable for them.

In addition to offering courses in the fundamentals of physics, the School provides numerous specialized courses at all levels, particularly in those areas related to the research interests of the faculty. These areas of research currently include: atomic, molecular, and chemical physics; biophysics; computational materials science; nonlinear mechanics and chaos; nuclear and particle physics; optics and laser physics; condensed matter physics; quantum computing; relativity; statistical mechanics; physics instruction; and interdisciplinary areas of biophysics and materials science. Opportunities exist in all these areas and in other areas through collaboration with faculty of other schools and colleges for Special Problems courses, master's theses, and doctoral dissertations.

Supplementary program planning is available from the School of Physics. Opportunities for graduate study and research are also available at www.physics.gatech.edu.