Chair:
Richard Rand
An undergraduate education in physics provides a solid foundation for a lifetime of learning in a variety of disciplines, including science, engineering, math, finance, education, law, and medicine. Find out more .
Meet our Graduate Student Association and get their tips for prospective students
Alumni testimonials : Read success stories from alumni of our department and their reflections on the quality of our programs.
Degree Programs
Undergraduate
Graduate - Physics
Graduate - Optical Science and Engineering
Saturday, April 13, 2024
UNM Physics Day 2024
UNM Physics Day 2024 will be held on Saturday, April 13 and will feature a variety of events including research presentations, poster sessions, and a plenary talk by Dr. Mousumi Roy.
Undergraduate Physics and Astronomy majors are invited to present research talks and/or posters. There will be awards for the best oral and poster presentations. Registration is free, sign up here .
Wednesday, March 20, 2024 at 7:00 pm
Physics & Astronomy Annual Spring Demo Night
The UNM Department of Physics and Astronomy is hosting our Annual Spring Lecture Demonstration Show.
The show will feature live physics demonstrations put on by members of UNM's Society of Physics Students and faculty, illustrating basic physics principles in mechanics, optics, and electricity and magnetism. Demonstrations will include the giant Newton's Cradle, Bernoulli's Principle, a Human Gyroscope, the Rocket Car, Optical Fibers, Laser Interference, the Tesla Coil and Implosion.
The event is free and open to the general public. Local high school teachers and students are especially invited to attend. Free parking is available starting at 6 pm in the B/P lot on the NW corner of University and Central.
Download the flyer here .
News from the Chair
Physics & Astronomy Outreach on Lobo Day
On Lobo Day, February 28, 2024, Teaching Lab Supervisor Hatem Babaa, Professor David Dunlap, and Distinguished Professor Greg Taylor demonstrated the bike wheel gyro demo, the new semiconductor demo, and the Van der Graaf Generator from 11:45 - 1:00 pm at Cornell Plaza. The Lobo Day theme was Space and highlighted UNM's contributions to space exploration.
See the ABQ Journal article and photos from the event .
News from the Chair
Applications open for Qu-REACH summer quantum undergraduate research experience
Applications are open for the fourth-annual Qu-REACH program , during which students can gain hands-on experience in the competitive field of quantum technology. The program will take place from May 28 to Aug. 2, and participants will receive a $7,000 stipend.
A limited number of housing stipends are also available for students attending schools outside the Albuquerque metro area. Students studying STEM at any college or university in New Mexico are invited to apply. Applications are due Friday, March 1.
Find out more about this opportunity .
News from the Chair
The University of New Mexico launches The Quantum New Mexico Institute
New Mexico scientists played a pioneering role in the development of Quantum Informational Science; now The University of New Mexico (UNM) is partnering with Sandia National Laboratories to launch the University's newest research center, the Quantum New Mexico Institute (QNM-I) .
See the UNM Newsroom article for details.
News from the Chair
Towards a New Campus Observatory
We want to make sure our educational, outreach, and research activities are preserved, expanded, and able to continue for a long time to come
The UNM Campus Observatory has initiated a crowdfunding campaign in an effort to raise funds for the planning of a new Campus Observatory. The current Campus Observatory was built in the 1950s and is now outdated among other concerns.
Read the UNM Newsroom article about the planning for this new facility .
Find out how to donate to our goal .
News from the Chair
Job Opportunities at UNM Physics & Astronomy