All faculty members are involved in research. The department offers both theoretical and experimental studies in astronomy, astrophysics, atomic and molecular physics, materials and condensed matter physics, elementary particle physics, medical physics, nuclear physics, plasma physics and space physics. The students and faculty also use off-campus facilities at CERN, SLAC, Fermilab, and the Very Large Array radio telescope. Our vigorous research environment enhances the department's teaching mission.
Graduate students participate in all aspects of research.
This research experience, together with sound academic training, has enabled physics and astronomy students to move on to permanent jobs in the research and technology sector, postdoctoral positions at leading institutions, and academic positions at universities and colleges. Finally, the department succeeds admirably in attracting external support for its research programs. In addition to the other ways in which this funding supports research, it permits the support of many graduate students on research projects.