Physics and Astronomy | The University of New Mexico

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.

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

News from the Chair

Nanoscale manipulation of light leads to exciting new advancement

UNM researchers find decreasing the density of nanoparticles in ordered arrays produces exceptional field enhancements. This research finding could lead to advances in different fields, such as vivid, high-resolution color printing to biosensing that could revolutionize healthcare. Read the article from the UNM Newsroom.

News from the Chair

Two Faculty Job Openings at UNM Physics & Astronomy Department

Join Our Team We’re looking for an Assistant Professor in Bio-Photonics.

We are also looking for a new Undergraduate Laboratory Supervisor (Open Rank Lecturer).

Two Staff Job Openings at UNM Physics & Astronomy Department

We’re looking for a new Admin Assistant III.

We are also looking for a new Senior Research Scientist.

News from the Chair

Finishing touches in the works for PAÍS

A crane elevates a construction worker into place as crews work to complete UNM’s new Physics & Astronomy and Interdisciplinary Science (PAÍS) building, Work is scheduled to be completed later this fall.

Find out more, and see how you can put your name on PAÍS.

Upcoming Events

Colloquiums Restart in the Fall:

Fri 10/18, 3:30PM in Room 125, Dr. Jens Biegert, Lightwave-driven Quantum Dynamics: Molecular “Selfie” to Floquet Oscillation

Other Events:

Tue 10/22, 2:00PM in PANDA-190/PAIS-2540, Huaiyu Duan, Highlights of the "Topics in Cosmic Neutrino Physics" workshop

Thu 10/24, 12:15PM in PANDA-190/PAIS-2540, Dr. Jean Claude Diels UNM Physics and Astronomy Dept., TBA

Events Quick Links

Current Events

Physics & Astronomy and Interdisciplinary Science building

A digital rendering of what the Physics & Astronomy and Interdisciplinary Science center will look like

UNM celebrated PAÍS with a beam raising ceremony on October 17, 2018. The facility will be complete by fall 2019.

Research Experience for Undergrads

REU 2018 program participants sitting on the edge at the top of Sandia Mountain

Make Your Summer Count!

Get real research experience with a fun group of your peers in the high desert of New Mexico. Find out how.

Interactive Astronomy Apps

9 Educational Apps

Written by Kevin Dilts for the Astro 101 Lab, these free interactive javascript apps illustrate common astronomy concepts. Enjoy!