A study of physics provides the basic understanding of nature, and develops the analytical skills, which are essential for progress in science and technology, e.g., conducting scientific research, solving environmental problems, advancing biomedical systems, and inventing cutting-edge technology of the 21st century.

Current experimental and theoretical research programs include work in the general fields of condensed matter physics, nuclear physics, elementary particles, and astrophysics. Other specific areas include accelerator physics, atomic, molecular and optical physics, nanoscience, low-temperature physics, biological physics, quantum computing, computational physics, and physics education research.

The Physics Astronomy department moved in 2002 into the new Biomedical and Physical Sciences Building, the largest academic building on the campus of Michigan State University. Designed as the centerpiece of the emerging scientific complex at the heart of the campus, this new facility is connected to the Biochemistry and Chemistry buildings by walkways at several levels. These architectural connections symbolize the extensive cross-disciplinary contacts and expanded cooperation that this new building encourages.

Michigan State University, one of the oldest land-grant colleges, was founded in 1855 for the purpose of furthering the interests of agriculture and the mechanic arts. From this modest beginning it has grown to become one of America's largest universities, with many educational innovations to its credit. Through its 17 colleges and more than 100 departments, it offers 200 different programs leading to undergraduate and graduate degrees. Students come from all counties in Michigan, all 50 states, and more than 130 countries.