Department of Physics & Astronomy
We provide students a complete and rigorous undergraduate education in physics culminating in a Bachelor of Science degree. Our curriculum provides the ideal preparation for physics or engineering graduate school, careers in scientific research, or professions as educators. We are a dedicated faculty that is passionate about teaching and we are committed to the meaningful involvement of undergraduates in research. With small class sizes and varied research opportunities, we offer a unique learning opportunity for students interested in the natural sciences.
Questions about Physics degree programs:
Cynthia Galovich
(970) 351 2079
cynthia.galovich@unco.edu
Questions about the Astronomy program:
Charles Kuehn
(970) 351 2561
charles.kuehn@unco.edu
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Congratulations 2025 Graduates!
Congratulations to our 2025 Physics & Astronomy graduates! Pictured here at the commencement ceremony: Joyce Hume, Kera Davis Manchette, Erin McCartney, Michelle Weiss, Joseph Meyer, William Olis (top, L-R), and Ari Kaye, Andy Rodriguez, Hunter Clark, Dylan Mendoza (bottom, L-R). -
CONGRATULATIONS Prof. Engstrom - 2025 Cottrell Scholar!!!
Congratulations to Prof. Tyler Engstrom (top row, 2nd from right), one of only 16 Cottrell Scholar Award winners named nationwide for 2025."Research Corporation for Science Advancement, America's first foundation dedicated wholly to science, has named 16 early career scholars in chemistry, physics, and astronomy as recipients of its 2025 Cottrell Scholar Awards. Each awardee receives $120,000."
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UNC Physics & Astronomy at the APS 4CS
UNC Physics & Astronomy was well represented at the APS Four Corners Section meeting. Prof. Mariana Lazarova and Dylan Mendoza presented their research, and Prof. Cynthia Galovich officially become the Chair of APS 4CS! -
UNC Physics at FiO LS Conference
Prof. Chaloupka presented his work on Investigating a Transition in the Dynamics of Strong-Field Double Ionization in an Intense Bicircular Laser Pulse at the Frontiers in Optics - Laser Science Conference in Denver, CO (September 23-26). -
New Grant Awarded
Dr. Tyler Engstrom (UNC Physics) and Dr. Andrea James (UNC Biological Sciences) were awarded a $413,920 grant from the National Eye Institute of the National Institutes of Health for their interdisciplinary project, “Developing new biophysical models of choroid fissure closure in zebrafish and foveal pit formation across species.” This project will address a basic research need for quantitative eye morphogenesis models that are tested against experimental data and that can shed light on biophysical mechanisms during eye development. Such models will aid in treatment and prevention of colobomas, foveal hypoplasia, and other developmental diseases of the eye. UNC physics and biology majors will be recruited to work on all aspects of the proposed research, through twelve paid positions to be created over the next three years.
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UNC Physics at the Multiphoton Processes Gordon Research Conference
Prof. Chaloupka presented his work on the Strong-Field Ionization of Rare Gases in Intense Bicircular Laser Pulses at the Multiphoton Processes Gordon Research Conference held in Smithfield, RI (June 9-14). -
Congratulations 2024 Graduates!!
Congratulations to our 2024 UNC Physics & Astronomy Graduates: Zoe Bonasera, Taylor Apala, Josh Gonzales, Adam Baker, Emily Chown, Torsten Jennings, Jair Ojeda Rodriguez, Evan Garneau. -
UNC Physics at the APS March Meeting
UNC Physics was well represented at the APS March Meeting held in Minneapolis March 3-8. Undergraduates Zoe Bonasera, Emily Chown, Kera Davis Manchette, and Indigo Peppard attended the meeting, along with Prof. Tyler Engstrom. Zoe, Emily, and Indigo presented their work with Prof. Engstrom, and Zoe was awarded a best poster prize by the Division of Soft Matter!
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NHS Spring Seminar
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New Publication in Physical Review E
Prof. Engstrom's work on the Dynamics of certain Euler-Bernoulli rods and rings from a minimal coupling quantum isomorphism has been published in the journal Physical Review E.
Bears Go Big
UNC Bears go out into the world to do BIG and significant work. Meet Adam Wilson, Founder of Sphero and a 2010 UNC Physics Alum.
UNC helped me prepare for my success [and] gave me the opportunity to participate in undergraduate research.
