Physics & Astronomy

Physics forms the basis of virtually all scientific and engineering undertakings. Physicists and astrophysicists investigate fundamental questions about the universe and our place in it because of an intrinsic interest in understanding how the world works, which leads ultimately to applications that benefit society.

An education in physics or astrophysics provides a solid basis of such knowledge and trains students in the analytical thinking that has always been unique to physicists.

The degrees offered provide an important step toward pursuing a career in many different areas, where an overlap with curiosity and wonder are essential.

UNM Department of Physics and Astronomy History

Derek Swinson retired from the Department of Physics and Astronomy in 1995. Before his retirement, Derek recorded the following songs for "cosmic ray conferences and other occasions". Download each song as an MP3 file (~3 MB). Enjoy!

1. Calgary, 1967
   Words: Derek Swinson; Music: Arthur Scammell (10th ICRC, Calgary, 1967).
2. Uncle Bob’s International Cosmic Jamboree
   Words: Derek Swinson; Music: Dick & Ann Albin (13th ICRC, Denver, 1973).
3. Shake Hands With Nagashima
   Words: Derek Swinson; Music: Steve Graham (19th ICRC, Kyoto, 1979; Morioka, 1984).
4. Quantum Cowboy (for Marlon Scully)
   Words: Derek Swinson; Music: George Millar.
5. Waiting for the Proton to Decay
   Words and Music: Derek Swinson (Morioka. 1984; 19th ICRC, La Jolla, 1985).
6. The Galaxy Song
   Words and Music by Eric Idle, adapted by Derek Swinson (Morioka. 1984; 19th ICRC, La Jolla, 1985).
7. The Sick Note or The Pully Problem
   Words: Pat Cooksey; Music: Irish Traditional.
8. Cold Fusion
   Words: Derek Swinson; Music: Lew Brown and Sammy Fain (21st ICRC, Adelaide, 1990).
9. The Sea Around Us
   Words: Derek Swinson; Music: Dominic Behan (22nd ICRC, Dublin, 1991).
10. Alberta Bound
    Words and Verses: Derek Swinson; Chorus and Music: Gordon Lightfoot (23rd ICRC, Calgary, 1993).
11. Our Duck Pond
    Words and Music: Derek Swinson (Faculty Follies, 1976 “A Man’s World or is it?”).
12. The Library
    Words: Derek Swinson; Music: Percy Gaunt (Faculty Follies, 1977 “Old Faces of 1977”).
13. Orientation
    Words and Music: Derek Swinson (Faculty Follies, 1978 “Potpourri”).
14. Anything Goes (Introduction)
    Words: Derek Swinson; Music: Cole Porter (Faculty Follies, 1978 “Potpourri”).
15. Uncle Bud’s Harvard on the Rio Grande
    Words and Music: Derek Swinson (Faculty Follies, 1978 “Potpourri”).
16. Nat the Stat
    (For Arts and Sciences Dean, Nathaniel Wollman). Words: Derek Swinson; Music: Traditional (Faculty Follies, 1978 “Potpourri”).
17. Anything Goes (Reprise)
    Words: Derek Swinson; Music: Cole Porter (Faculty Follies, 1978 “Potpourri”).
18. Shake Hands With Your Uncle Bruce
    Words and Music: Derek Swinson “Politics Made Simple”. (UNM Lecture Under the Stars, June 11, 1984).
19. The Bruce King Waltz
    Words and Music: Derek Swinson “Politics Made Simple”. (UNM Lecture Under the Stars, June 11, 1984).
20. The Eyes of Texans
    Words and Music: Derek Swinson “Politics Made Simple”. (UNM Lecture Under the Stars, June 11, 1984).