Physics and Astronomy
Academic Department
Physics helps us understand how the world works, from the tiniest particles to the biggest parts of the universe. It gives us the tools to explore nature’s biggest questions and discover how things really work. If you’re curious about the world and love solving problems, come explore physics with us
Funding Undergraduate Research
UNC Physics & Astronomy is proud to help students who want paid summer internships or REU opportunities. We offer extra money to help with travel, moving, or family support.
To learn how to apply, contact Prof. Tyler Engstrom at tyler.engstrom@unco.edu.
About Us
At the Department of Physics and Astronomy, you’ll find a supportive community where curiosity, discovery, and learning come first. Our Bachelor of Science in Physics offers strong preparation for grad school, research, or teaching—and you’ll never have to navigate it alone.
From your first course to your final project, you’ll work side by side with faculty who are passionate about teaching and committed to your growth. Research is a big part of the experience here, with opportunities to dive into hands-on projects, sometimes in partnership with labs, industry, or other universities. We’re here to help you explore what excites you and reach your goals.
Why Physics and Astronomy
Shape Your Future with a Physics Degree
The Physics B.S. offers a strong core in physics with flexible electives to match your goals. Choose the Astronomy Concentration for research and graduate study, or the Engineering Physics Concentration for careers at the intersection of physics and engineering. The Science Licensure track prepares you to teach grades 6–12 while building a solid physics background. Graduates are ready for careers in industry, research, education, or advanced study.
Educational Opportunities
Our Bachelor of Science in Physics program is designed to open doors. You’ll receive a rigorous education that builds a strong foundation for graduate school, research, and teaching careers. Beyond the classroom, you’ll have the chance to work one-on-one with full-time faculty on research projects that align with your passions and goals. These meaningful experiences help set our students apart—75% of those who applied to graduate school in the past four years were successfully admitted.
Close Knit Upper Level Courses
Smaller upper-level class sizes mean you get more support from your professors. They’ll know your name, understand your goals, and be there to help when you have questions. You’ll have more chances to speak in class, join group discussions, and get clear feedback on your work. With fewer students, it’s easier to stay focused and build real connections with your classmates and instructors.
Career Opportunities
Our program gives you the tools to succeed in science, engineering, or education. Some of our graduates work at tech start-ups or major aerospace companies. Others continue their studies in physics, astronomy, optics, or engineering. Many have also become high school science teachers across Colorado.
Physics & Astronomy Research Areas
Balloon and Rocket Flights
Student teams design, construct, and test small computer-interfaced payloads that are launched in Colorado on high-altitude balloons or launched on rockets in Virginia (Prof. Semak and Prof. Galovich).
Robotics
Students design, develop, and construct a variety of robots. Recent work includes a custom-designed, 3D-printed, biomimetic robot inspired by the locomotion of a centipede. (Prof. Semak).
Pulsating Variable Stars
Many stars change in brightness because they physically pulsate due to pressure waves traveling through them, essentially creating “starquakes”. We can use these “starquakes” to learn about the interior structure and evolution of the stars, similar to how earthquakes are used to learn about the interior of the Earth (Prof. Kuehn).
Galaxy Evolution
Galaxies and their central supermassive black holes influence each other’s growth via yet unknown feedback mechanisms. We test the hypothesis that quasars might be just a short evolutionary stage in the life of all galaxies (Prof. Lazarova).
Strong-Field Physics
The interaction of very short and intense laser pulses with matter is studied computationally. Recently, two-color circularly polarized laser fields were used to drive novel dynamics in strong-field double ionization (Prof. Chaloupka).
Quantum Analogs
Droplets bouncing on the surface of a vibrating oil bath exhibit quantum-like wave-particle behavior, providing a fascinating physical analog to quantum mechanical systems (Prof. Chaloupka).
Imaging Science
We design and develop novel techniques to capture images of physical phenomena. Recently, a two-path schlieren imaging system was created that generates two simultaneous views sensitive to phase variations along orthogonal directions (Prof. Chaloupka).
Nonlinear Dynamics
We study the effect of noise/fluctuation effects near and far from system instabilities, the behavior of complex physical systems, and model systems with history and memory, such as the process of human balance (Prof. Semak).
Audio Design
We explore novel and established speaker designs and tools for live audio situations, for example, how impedance matching during sound transmission affects psychoacoustical characteristics (Prof. Semak).
Physics & Astronomy Education Research
Student performance on diagnostic tests can provide insight into the process of learning physics. Our analysis of such test results may lead to improved teaching practices (Prof. Galovich and Prof. Semak). We also look at ways to remove barriers to participation in astronomy classes and labs for students with disabilities and those from traditionally underrepresented backgrounds (Prof. Kuehn).
