Students of Bowdoin Physics

We are curious, passionate, and hard-working. We love solving problems and understanding how our world works. But we don’t take ourselves too seriously; we exchange laughter in equal measure with ideas. Embodying the Offer of the College, we “lose ourselves in generous enthusiasms” every day, supporting each other through academic and personal challenges. From collaborating on problem sets at the chalkboard, to chatting at snack nights, to stargazing on the quad, we are a tightly-woven community united by our love of physics. 

The Society of Physics Students

The Bowdoin Society of Physics Students (SPS) is our department’s chapter of the national SPS, part of the American Institute of Physics (AIP), and is open to all students. Members of the SPS build community by organizing events for physics students and enthusiasts, like stargazing nights on the quad, picnics, alumni panels, faculty Q&A sessions, guest speakers, and more. Through engaging with SPS, students interested in physics can advance their communication and leadership ability beyond their Bowdoin coursework and support the vibrancy of the physics community at Bowdoin. To receive regular SPS communications, please register on CampusGroups.

• 
  Nur Schettino ‘24 and Professor Fe McBride search for Sources of Cosmic Neutrinos

  Senior physics major Nur Schettino ‘24 conducted particle astrophysics research with Professor Fe McBride in the summer of 2023, studying high-energy neutrinos detected by the IceCube Neutrino Observatory. 
• 
  Adventures of a Hydrodynamic Duo: Bowdoin Physics Students Compete in The Race to Alaska

  In June, physics students Caleb McDaniels ‘25 and Sam Bonauto ‘25 participated in the Race to Alaska, a human- and wind-powered boat race from Port Townsend, Washington, to Ketchikan, Alaska, with help from machinist Ben King.
• 
  Physics Students and Professor Make Strides in Solid State Research at Bowdoin and Beyond

  Current solid state research being conducted by department chair, Madeleine Msall, and her student researchers, Kieran Enzian ‘22 and Lorenzo Hess ‘23, is laying the groundwork for future scientific discoveries.
• 
  Bowdoin Physics Major Maria Perez Mendoza ’21

  Though Maria Perez Mendoza ’21 started out dreaming of making it big as a screenwriter or movie director in Hollywood, she discovered studying physics can be just as dazzling.
• 
  Bowdoin Physics Major Kevin Trinh ’19

  During the summer before his senior year, Kevin Trinh worked with the program Leadership Alliance, which he described as a sort of “common App for undergraduate research programs.”