Our faculty train students in a wide-range of fundamental areas of classical and
modern physics through a structured program of courses, individual and group research
activities, department activities and advanced electives.
Choose from two undergraduate degree programs, the Bachelor of Science (B.S.) and the Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Physics, or minor in Physics or Astronomy.
An M.S. degree strengthens core knowledge in physics and astronomy, involves students in the frontiers of research, and provides marketable skills for scientific careers.
Our Ph.D. program is designed to give students a fundamental theoretical background beyond that of undergraduate level and a research experience that produces high-quality and novel work.
With active research projects and a graduate program, our physics and astronomy faculty are “working” scientists who know the thrill of doing physics through cutting-edge research funded by, among others, the National Science Foundation, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and the US Departments of Commerce, Defense, and Energy. While still an undergraduate, many students become “working” scientists through employment opportunities in our research and teaching labs.
The physics and astronomy research led by our award-winning faculty and students is
making waves around the world with discoveries in fast radio bursts, quantum computing,
innovations in energy science and more.
The research performed by this group focuses on gravitational waves, pulsars, black holes, fast radio bursts, star formation, galaxy evolution and formation, theoretical astrophysics, and the contents and dynamics of our own Milky Way Galaxy.
: Astronomy and AstrophysicsThe condensed matter theorists at West Virginia work to provide a better understanding of materials, their interfaces and interactions, and to lay the foundation for applications based on the discovery of new physics.
: Condensed Matter PhysicsMedical physics is an interdisciplinary science focused on the application of physics to the study and practice of medicine. There are three traditional subfields of medical physics: radiation therapy, diagnostic radiology, and nuclear medicine.
: Medical PhysicsResearchers in this area use light as a probe to learn about the microscopic electromagnetic behavior of novel materials and the thermodynamics of plasma.
: Optical and Laser PhysicsIn this group, members investigate the functioning of physics courses at WVU, what elements in those courses are most effective, and how to make those courses more inclusive.
: Physics Education ResearchThe plasma research program has concentrated on basic problems of plasma behavior that are relevant to the understanding of processes that occur naturally in space plasmas and in magnetically confined fusion plasmas.
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The Department of Physics and Astronomy engages in an impressive array of impactful education opportunities and community outreach through career sessions, field trips, lecture demos, planetarium shows, and more.
30–60 minute research and career exploration sessions for high school educators and students.
Read More: High School Career SessionsImmerse your students in the exciting world of science and research through a field trip to the Department of Physics and Astronomy, and the WVU Planetarium and Observatory
Read More: Field TripsHigh school students have discovered pulsars, students statewide compete in robotics competitions, and girls in middle school participate in hands-on workshops.
Read More: Programs & Partnerships
