Physics | Natural Sciences
- ️Sat Jan 25 2025
All of the technological achievements we rely on daily, from power generation to transportation and communication, are based on our understanding of the physical laws of nature. To maintain and improve humankind’s standard of living, it is imperative that we continue to study nature and gain a better understanding of its laws. The Department of Physics is committed to this process of creating and disseminating new knowledge, and to preserving the knowledge created by previous generations of physicists, through the principle of combining research with teaching.
Tien-Tien Yu Wins Presidential Award
Theoretical physicist Tien-Tien Yu's quest to understand the nature of dark matter has earned her a Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers, the highest honor the US government bestows on early-career scientists. The associate professor in the Department of Physics is an academic expert in dark matter and cosmology.
$8.9 MIL
IN EXTERNAL RESEARCH GRANTS
14
FELLOWS OF THE AMERICAN PHYSICAL SOCIETY AMONG FACULTY
What You Can Do with a Degree in Physics
Graduates with a major in physics find employment in the various areas of physics and other physical sciences; in technological and health industries; in financial services; and in computer science, library science, education, communication, law, and medicine. Physics provides students with a foundation for employment in:
- Electronics industries
- Engineering firms
- Telecommunications companies
- Financial services
- Health care practices
- Research institutes and organizations
- Federal government agencies
- Scientific journals and book publishing
- Colleges and universities
How Physics Catalyzes Your Career
“I genuinely love physics and the challenges it presents. Physics is literally everywhere, everything, and always working!”
—Nicole Wales, Physics, '21
Our Degree Programs
The Department of Physics offers multiple degree paths, allowing students to choose a course of study oriented toward either scientific research or a career in the applied sciences. Many students who earn a bachelor’s degree in physics continue their studies toward a graduate degree in physics or a related field of natural science or engineering.
Learn from Experts in the Field
Our faculty members, including one member of the National Academy of Sciences and 14 Fellows of the American Physical Society, engage in research that ranges from fundamental questions to work that spins off high-technology companies. They instill excitement about their research discoveries in our students, both in the classroom and in the research laboratory, and train students to become part of the exciting intellectual endeavor we call science.
Get Real-world Experience
Physics students at all levels have the opportunity to design their own experiments and conduct authentic research. Explore the frontiers of modern physics using research-grade equipment in the Advanced Projects Lab, participate in outreach or student-driven research at Pine Mountain Observatory in central Oregon, or join one of our many research groups.
Scholarships and Funding
Physics majors can apply for undergraduate scholarships through the College of Arts and Sciences and a variety of other sources. The Department of Physics provides funding for doctoral candidates through teaching and research assistantships.
Academic Support
The Department of Physics offers extensive academic support services. Students can seek college and career assistance from advisors from Tykeson Hall or meet with our departmental advisors for help navigating their degree requirements and educational explorations. We also offer tutoring support through our drop-in help center.
Department of Physics News and Events
BIOLOGY, PHYSICS - A new study published in the journal mBio shows how one kind of bacteria, Vibrio cholerae, triggers those painful contractions by activating the immune system. The research also finds a more general explanation for how the gut rids itself of unwanted intruders, which could also help scientists better understand chronic conditions like inflammatory bowel disease. The research was led by Julia Ngo, a now-graduated doctoral student in Karen Guillemin and Raghu Parthasarathy’s labs.
PHYSICS - Professor Tien-Tien Yu is one of nearly 400 scientists and engineers awarded the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE), the highest honor bestowed by the US government on outstanding scientists and engineers early in their careers.
PHYSICS - The National Science Foundation has awarded a one-year, $1 million grant to a team led by University of Oregon researchers exploring practical applications for emerging quantum technologies and working to move discoveries beyond the lab. “Oregon has a small group of proficient researchers leading the way globally in quantum technology," said Brian Smith, a professor of physics and director of the Oregon Center for Optical, Molecular and Quantum Science.
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