Expanding the frontiers of knowledge and serving society

Physics is the study of space, time, energy, and matter at all scales ranging from those describing subatomic particles to the evolution and structure of the universe as a whole!

While many disciplines attempt to explain how the world around us works, physicists ask the more basic question: "why?" Trying to answer this most fundamental question, physicists develop strong problem-solving skills. The ability to synthesize and think through new situations is critical to success in any career path you choose to enter.

A physics degree can lead to a wide variety of careers including medicine, nanotechnology, teaching, semiconductor research, energy or electrical engineering, space and atmospheric research, law, business, acoustics, and science journalism.

Undergraduate focus

The Department offers a wide range of lecture and laboratory instruction necessary for preparation in Physics and other fields such as Engineering, Chemistry, Biology, and even the Arts and Humanities. In addition, participating in undergraduate research can help identify the career that is right for you.

Research for graduate and undergraduate students

Examples of Physics research at the University of North Texas include seeking better understanding of how systems of only a few atoms, electrons, and photons behave, exploration of the properties of meso-scale objects such as nanoparticles and polymers, and observing and interpreting the light from distant galaxies.

This research also makes connections to diverse applications, which at UNT include, for example, new materials for energy storage, nanotechnology for sensors and novel photonic devices, and mathematical models of the working of networks of neurons.

Connections are also strong with other fields of research including material science, electrical and mechanical engineering, chemistry, biology and medicine, mathematics, and computer science.

This work is made possible by close collaboration of faculty members with graduate and undergraduate students using the Physics Department's ion beam accelerator facility, laser laboratories for ultrafast and ultraprecise spectroscopies, materials synthesis and characterization laboratories, supercomputing-based modeling and simulation, and robotic observatory.