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
Setting angular resolution limits for electron direction
Dustin Edgeman (UNM)
Nuclear, Particle, Astroparticle and Cosmology (NUPAC) Seminars
Nov. 4, 2:00 PM
PAIS 3205
Bright Maser Emission in the Galaxy as Probes for Different Stellar Populations
Rachel Weller (UNM)
CART Astrophysics Seminar Series
Nov. 6, 2:00 PM
TBD
Tara Drake
Physics and Astronomy Colloquium
Nov. 7, 3:30 PM
- Nov. 7, 4:30 PM
PAIS 1100
Neutrinoless Double Beta Decay and the BACoN Experiment
Georgia McDowell (UNM)
Nuclear, Particle, Astroparticle and Cosmology (NUPAC) Seminars
Nov. 11, 2:00 PM
PAIS 3205
TBD
Dominic Oddo (UNM)
CART Astrophysics Seminar Series
Nov. 13, 2:00 PM
PAIS 3205
Recent News
Kathrin Spendier's Unusual Career Path from Academia to Quantinuum to the XPRIZE
October 28, 2025Welcome 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, 2025
