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
Stellar Pulsations and Observations from Space
Joyce Guzik (LANL)
CART Astrophysics Seminar Series
Apr. 16, 2:00 PM
- Apr. 16, 3:00 PM
PAIS 3205
The quantum computers at Quantinuum
Dr. David Hayes (Quantinuum)
Physics and Astronomy Colloquium
Apr. 17, 3:30 PM
- Apr. 17, 4:30 PM
PAIS 1100
Spring Demo Show
Society of Physics Students
Outreach
Apr. 18, 12:00 PM
- Apr. 18, 1:00 PM
Regener Hall Auditorium Room 103
Implications of New Physics for Cosmology and Compact Objects
Evan David (UNM)
Nuclear, Particle, Astroparticle and Cosmology (NUPAC) Seminars
Apr. 21, 2:00 PM
PAIS 3205
Remote Sensing Infrasound using a “Space Microphone”
Ken Obenberger (AFRL)
CART Astrophysics Seminar Series
Apr. 23, 2:00 PM
- Apr. 23, 3:00 PM
PAIS 3205
Recent News
UNM astronomers reveal always-changing multi-planet system
April 15, 2026Graduate student Amilcar Jeronimo Perez awarded a DOE SCGSR Fellowship
April 9, 2026Saheed Oyeniran elected as Student Member of the APS Four Corners Executive Committee
March 16, 2026Alumna Shohini Ghose Featured on NPR's Short Wave Podcast
March 6, 2026UNM Hosted ThorLab's Mobile Optics Lab Experience
March 3, 2026
