Department of Physics & Astronomy
Alumni testimonials
Physics & Astronomy alumni hold positions as teachers, engineers, data analysts, project managers, researchers, health care workers, science writers, policy makers and lawyers, and many more. We interviewed some of our graduates about their professional paths and the role their physics or astronomy degree from our department played in shaping their current career.
Degree Programs
Undergraduate Program
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
Optics Program
Established in 1983, the Optics Program at the University of New Mexico is one of the oldest and most successful science and engineering interdisciplinary programs with a strong international reputation in education and research.
OSE graduate students conduct research at facilities in the Department of Physics and Astronomy, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, and at UNM’s Center for High-Technology Materials.
There are numerous collaborations with the three National Laboratories in New Mexico - Sandia, Los Alamos, and the Air Force Research Laboratory, and with members of the optics industry cluster (New Mexico Optics Industry Association – NMOIA).
Upcoming Events
Particle Cosmology in the Southwest (PCS)
No Affiliation
Sep. 18, 12:00 AM
- Sep. 20, 12:00 AM
PAIS, UNM, Albuquerque, New Mexico
More than two can dance: Twisting, Binding and Double-Twisting in an optical cavity
Ana Maria Rey (JILA, NIST, and CU, Boulder)
CQuIC Seminars
Sep. 18, 3:30 PM
- Sep. 18, 4:30 PM
PAIS 2540
Optical lattice clocks: From Timekeepers to Spies of the Quantum Realm
Ana Maria Rey (JILA, NIST and University of Colorado, Boulder, CO )
Physics and Astronomy Colloquium
Sep. 19, 3:30 PM
- Sep. 19, 4:30 PM
PAIS 1100
TBD
Manoj Kaplinghat (UCI)
Nuclear, Particle, Astroparticle and Cosmology (NUPAC) Seminars
Sep. 23, 2:00 PM
PAIS 3205
TBD
Darcy Barron
Physics and Astronomy Colloquium
Sep. 26, 3:30 PM
- Sep. 26, 4:30 PM
PAIS 1100
Recent News
Welcome New Faculty for Fall 2025
September 6, 2025Schwoebel Lab earns $1.56 million NIH award to improve breast cancer imaging
September 4, 2025QNM-I celebrates quantum venture studio investment and Quantum Week in New Mexico
August 29, 2025UNM Physics and Astronomy celebrates hat trick of NSF CAREER awards
August 21, 2025Quantum Photonics & Technology program continues momentum into second year
August 20, 2025
