- The Department of Physics and Astronomy offers graduate work leading to the MS and PhD degrees in physics. The major research in the department is conducted in the following fields: astrophysics, atomic and molecular physics, nuclear physics, condensed matter physics, statistical mechanics, optics, relativity, high energy physics, and mathematical physics.
- Experimental research is conducted in on-campus laboratories for atomic and molecular physics, laser spectroscopy of solids, and material synthesis. Research involving the application of computer simulational techniques to astrophysics, condensed matter physics, material science, and high energy physics is conducted at the Center for Simulational Physics. Experimental research in intermediate-energy nuclear physics is performed at off-campus accelerator laboratories in the U.S., France, Canada, and Japan. Astronomical research is conducted with the facilities of the National Radio and Optical Observatories, and those of NASA. Research in the above areas is aided by the campus computing facilities.