Welcome!
The Department of Physics and Astronomy prepares students for a variety of career paths, including graduate programs in physics, astronomy, engineering and related fields; teacher certification; and research jobs in industry and at national laboratories. Our majors learn principles of physics through a curriculum that builds strong quantitative and analytical skills and offers many opportunities for undergraduate research. According to the American Institute of Physics (AIP), our department ranks in the top 1% nationally for number of B.S. degrees awarded in physics.
Department News
CPP Students Conduct Research at CERN
In June 2026 the Large Hadron Collider at CERN was shut down for...
Professor Povich Receives Ames Distinguished Research Award
Professor and Physics and Astronomy Department Chair Matthew Povich...
CPP Physics and Astronomy Rises in the APS Rankings
The American Physical Society (APS) compiles data on undergraduate...
Dr. Abramzon is awarded 2024-2025 Provost's Award for Excellence in Teaching
Nina Abramzon, Professor and Associate Chair of the Physics and...