Located just east of the main campus, Oakley Observatory is equipped for teaching, as well as conducting research in variable star photometry, searching for supernovae or searching for comets.
Physics & Optical Engineering Facilities & Resources
Our state-of-the-art physics laboratories have modern equipment to help reinforce your understanding of physics concepts through hands-on experiments.
In this section
Our Labs and Research Sites
With our state-of-the-art labs, you'll get the sort of research experience undergrads at other schools can only dream of.
MiNDs Lab
Starting as a freshman, our MiNDs laboratory will give you opportunities in the area of semiconductor and micro/nano technology through courses and hands-on experiments in fabrication, characterization and modeling of micro/nano devices and systems. There are numerous professors performing state of the art research with undergraduates within the cleanroom year round.
MINDS Lab Research
A number of research projects both within the areas of micro/nanoscale technology and pedagogy are ongoing at the MiNDS laboratory.
Other Research Facilities
Material Processing Lab
This lab lets you apply modern diagnostic techniques for failure analysis to industrial projects using equipment including:
- Scanning Electron Microscope with an attached X-ray analysis system used for failure analysis studies
- Phoenix X-ray machine used in failure analysis for the study of circuit boards and various other samples
- Fluorescence microscope used in characterizing features in biological specimens
Optical Communication Lab
Equipment in the Optical Communications Lab allows students and faculty to study the quantum optics
Non-Linear Lab
This lab is where undergraduate and graduate students have the opportunity to work on cutting-edge optical materials/devices.
Inside our MiNDS Lab
Smaller is better in the MiNDS lab
Discover new possibilities with nanotechnology
Our Oakley Observatory is open for discovery
You'll get hands-on experience in our optics lab
Optical engineers have all the fun
Department News
Learn about the latest happenings, student research, and more in physics & optical engineering a Rose-Hulman.
physics and optical engineering
Innovative Six Sigma Program Empowering STEM Careers
physics and optical engineering
Rocketry Propulsion Group Launches Collegiate Lander Challenge Effort
physics and optical engineering
Class of ’24 Graduates Honored for Scholastic Successes, Campus Leadership
Majors & Minors
We offer undergraduate majors, minors, and certificates inphysics, engineering physics, and optical engineering, as well as a graduate program in optical engineering.
Bachelor of Science in Physics
The physics curriculum is designed to develop a strong foundation in classical and modern physics, which will serve as a basis for future specialization, for additional study at the graduate level, and for design and development work in industrial laboratories.
Bachelor of Science in NanoEngineering
NanoEngineering at Rose-Hulman provides students with a unique opportunity to learn the foundation concepts of physics, apply them to design, and make a concentrated study in semiconductors, micro- and nano-technology. (We work in the clean room—aka the MiNDS lab- a lot)
Bachelor of Science in Optical Engineering
We are one of the few colleges in the country to offer an undergraduate optical engineering program. Our program provides a firm foundation for those interested in continuing their studies in optics at the graduate level, as well as for those going into industry.
Minors & Certificates
You can tailor your educational experience by adding a minor or certificate in specific areas of interest.
Dr. Galen Duree
Dr. Duree, head of the Department of Physics and Optical Engineering, joined the faculty of Rose-Hulman in 1999. His areas of expertise include photorefractive phenomena, nonlinear optics, laser physics, ultra-short pulse laser phenomena. He authored the book Optics for Dummies an "approachable introduction to optical science, methods, and applications."
Contact Us
Department of Physics & Optical Engineering
Moench Hall CL106
5500 Wabash Avenue
Terre Haute, IN 47803
812-877-8309
duree@rose-hulman.edu