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Majors & Minors
We offer degrees in physics and in physics and astronomy, as well as many research opportunities for undergraduates.
Graduate Studies
Our PhD programs rank in the top twenty nationwide, according to the National Research Council.
Research
From subatomic particles to the structure of the Universe itself, our award-winning faculty study nature on every scale.
Partnerships
The Department of Physics and Astronomy is committed to increasing the diversity of its student body, faculty, and staff. We are a partner institution in the APS Bridge and Cal-Bridge programs.
Spotlight
Riccardo Betti to receive 2023 Blaise Pascal Medal in Physics
The European Academy of Sciences will present the 2023 Blaise Pascal Medal in Physics to Riccardo Betti, the Laser Lab for Energetics’ chief scientist and the Robert L. McCrory Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering and in the Department of Physics and Astronomy.
Betti’s research involves high-temperature plasma physics with applications to nuclear fusion. He will serve as an invited speaker at the European Academy of Sciences’ Annual Symposium and Ceremony in October in Madrid, Spain. This year’s topic is “Science Multidisciplinarity in the 21st Century: The Future of Energy.”
The academy established the Blaise Pascal Medal in 2003 to recognize an outstanding and demonstrated personal contribution to science and technology and the promotion of excellence in research and education. Up to six medals may be awarded in any one year.
Avram Milder ’21 (PhD), a scientist in the Laser–Plasma Interactions Group at the Laboratory for Laser Energetics, has been selected to receive the Chiyoe Yamanaka Award at the International Conference on Inertial Fusion Sciences and Applications (IFSA). Milder has been selected for his trailblazing measurements of electron distribution functions performed at the Omega Laser Facility that has opened a new avenue for researchers exploring fundamental plasma-physics.
The National Science Foundation (NSF) has awarded the University of Rochester nearly $18 million over three years to design and prototype key technologies for EP-OPAL, a new facility dedicated to the study of ultrahigh-intensity laser-matter interactions. Physics professor Antonino Di Piazza is one of the co-principal investigators for the EP-OPAL project.
https://www.rochester.edu/newscenter/nsf-funds-multi-institutional-ep-opal-laser-design-568092/
Kelly Douglass gives an interview about AAS Journal article on cosmic voids
Kelly Douglass (University of Rochester) chats about her AAS Journal article on voids, and where we can go from here given the published article.
Life of a Cosmology Graduate Student
Growing up, I never imagined that I’d become a physicist. I always enjoyed my physics classes, but was convinced that I’d study engineering in college. Yet as a high school senior, I took an electricity and magnetism course that really caught my attention. And as it happened, I attended a small liberal arts college without an engineering program. I made the decision to major in physics instead.
Physics, Optics, and Astronomy (POA) Library
The POA library houses a comprehensive collection of journals, monographs and online data bases, supporting the research and teaching activities of the department.
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