Why study physics and astronomy?

Our goal is to understand the physical universe. The questions addressed by our department’s research and education missions range from the applied, such as an improved understanding of the materials that can be used for solar cell energy production, to foundational questions about the nature of mass and space and how the universe was formed and subsequently evolved, and how astrophysical phenomena affected the Earth and its evolution. We study the properties of systems ranging in size from smaller than an atom to larger than a galaxy on timescales ranging from billionths of a second to the age of the universe. Our courses and laboratory/research experiences help students hone their problem solving and analytical skills and thereby become broadly trained critical thinkers. While about half of our majors move on to graduate studies in STEM, many find employment in the private sector in diverse careers ranging from financial analysts to physicians. Graduates of all our degree programs can be found in key positions regionally, nationally, and internationally. In this way, our department is at the forefront of telling the academic story of the University of Kansas to people around the state and around the world.

Undergraduate program in physics and astronomy

We welcome all students curious about the universe around them. This includes not only students planning on graduate study in STEM, but also students from other disciplines where a background in foundational physical science and critical thinking can be useful – examples include teaching and medicine – and anyone seeking to include astronomy and physics as part of their general education. The department offers B.A. degrees in astronomy and physics and B.S. degrees in astronomy, physics, and engineering physics. Degrees in astronomy and physics are granted through the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences whereas engineering physics degrees are granted through the School of Engineering. The primary degree offered is a B.S. in Physics. In addition to this standard B.S. in Physics, there are also interdisciplinary, premedicine, and physics teacher prepration concentrations of the B.S. in Physics degree. The interdisciplinary concentration allows students to take elective courses in other STEM disciplines and the premedicine concentration is for students interested in health professions. The courses that constitute the physics teacher preparation concentration are part of the STEMTeach KU program. We also offer minors in astronomy and physics and a certificate in astrophysics of origins.  We involve our undergraduate majors in cutting-edge research practically from the day they join the department; research is a requirement of both the B.S. Astronomy and B.S. Physics degrees. The breadth of our research program affords our students exposure to a number of different fields and we are justifiably proud of our undergraduate researchers who routinely publish papers, attend conferences, and/or conduct research abroad (in locales such as Antarctica, Chile, and Switzerland).

At the completion of this program, students will be able to: 

• Physics Content Knowledge: Physics content knowledge within the undergraduate PHSX BS degree program is divided into the following four categories: classical mechanics, electricity & magnetism, quantum mechanics, and statistical mechanics. Topics within and between these categories interact with and build upon one another, resulting in an ordered schedule in which these topics are introduced, practiced, and developed throughout the curriculum.
• Experimental Skills: Physics is an experimental science. As such, the development of experimental skills is both essential to success in the discipline and linked with the development of physics content knowledge. To accommodate this progression, we require our students to complete introductory, intermediate, and advanced laboratory courses, with corresponding expectations for introductory, intermediate, and advanced proficiency with skills of experimental physics
• Computational Skills: Mathematics is the language of the physical sciences. As such, the development of fluency with a variety of mathematical concepts and techniques is necessary for success in the discipline. Because of this, we require our students to complete several mathematics and computing courses, arranged so that their content aligns with the expectations and needs of physics courses taken concomitantly or subsequently, during which these mathematical skills are reinforced and further developed.
• Discipline Specific Research Skills: Physics is a diverse field spanning topics ranging in size from smaller than the nucleus of an atom to a galaxy, and on timescales ranging from attoseconds to the age of the universe. Preparing our students for success in their chosen specialty therefore requires a broad background in fundamental physics, coursework focused on a narrower range of topics, and experience conducting research. Success as a scientist also requires proficiency in describing your work to others, especially with respect to writing scientific papers.