<p>I am not exactly sure about the research oppurtunities though I do know there are some summer research oppurtunies and I know there is research that goes on but unfortunetely being a social science perosn I have not looked into them much myself. However, though proffesors are full time profs here that does not mean that they are not conducting research and publishing work. Also as Car137 said there are a lot less physics people to compete with for oppurtunities than a school like Cornell where not only are there much more undergraduates to compete with but also graduate students. As far as going on to grad school for physics, this I can give you a better answer for. There are a good number of physics majors here at Carleton and most go on to graduate school to continue study in the field. So I can tell you that the Carleton physics department will prepare you for graduate work.</p>