Abstract: The Department of Physics has the dual and interconnected goals of providing both educational and research opportunities for students. In order to illustrate ongoing research in Physics and related areas at UNT and elsewhere, the Department organizes Colloquium and Special Seminar series each semester. To begin these series for Fall 2012, Dr. Schultz will give a brief overview of physics research in the Department. Following this he, Dr. Jose Perez, and Dr. Yuankun Lin will give summaries of their individual research programs. In the subsequent weeks, the Department will host external researchers who will present Colloquium talks on various subjects of interest. The rest of the Department faculty will also present brief summaries of their research at Special Seminars in alternate weeks throughout the Fall.