Siena College ranks among the Top 10% of U.S. colleges offering undergraduate-only physics degrees, according to a national study by the American Institute of Physics.
The college joins an elite roster of liberal arts colleges that provide a fully rounded educational experience with a substantial science undergraduate degree program. For the classes of 2012, 2013 and 2014, Siena conferred an average of 12 bachelor’s degrees in physics — placing it 44th out of 496 colleges that offer undergraduate-only physics degrees.
The American Institute of Physics ranks all colleges offering bachelor of science degrees in physics, based on the number of students who successfully graduate from these rigorous programs.
“Siena graduates well-rounded students who have both the scientific training and the broad critical-thinking skills provided at a liberal arts college. This combination produces exceptional individuals,” said John P. Cummings, Ph.D., interim dean of the School of Science at Siena. “The STEM industries (science, technology, engineering and math) need more than just technically adroit employees — they need individuals who have learned how to meld technical know-how and business and economic skills.”
Over the last decade, Siena’s School of Science has grown considerably, increasing the number of students majoring in the sciences. The enrollment changes in the Department of Physics & Astronomy have been dramatic, and the department has done particularly well with increasing the representation of women among physics majors. “We are attracting students who understand the benefits of combining small class sizes with a program that provides opportunities to conduct cutting-edge research alongside professors who are experts in their fields,” said Rose A. Finn, Ph.D., the Physics & Astronomy Department Head. “We have established a welcoming and vibrant department that encourages all students to succeed.”
All students studying for a bachelor’s degree in physics engage in independent research, and Siena provides paths to graduate engineering degrees through Union Graduate College, the College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering, and 3/2 programs with RPI, Clarkson, and SUNY Binghamton.
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