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College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Physics and Astronomy

A degree in physics and astronomy

Physics is crucial to understanding the world around us, the world inside us, and the world beyond us. Advances in technology are providing above-average job growth in areas that require strong proficiency in science and mathematics, making the choice of a degree in physics and astronomy a wise one.

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Areas of research
Seminars and colloquia
Meet Rachael Merritt: B.S. Physics, B.A. Astronomy, B.A. Classics '15 and M.S. Physics '17

Meet Rachael Merritt: B.S. Physics, B.A. Astronomy, B.A. Classics '15 and M.S. Physics '17

Rachael Merritt graduated from Wayne State as a triple major in 2015 with a B.S. in Physics, B.A. in Astronomy and B.A. in Classics. She was in the first graduating class of our Astronomy program. She continued with graduate studies at Wayne State, graduating with an M.S. in Physics in 2017, before heading to Georgia State University to get her Ph.D. in Astronomy (graduating in 2022). She was recently awarded a prestigious National Science Foundation Mathematical and Physical Sciences Ascending Postdoctoral Research Fellowship, which she holds at the University of Colorado Boulder.
Meet Joseph Pakizer: B.S. in Physics '19

Meet Joseph Pakizer: B.S. in Physics '19

Through all the group study sessions my classmates and I organized during my undergraduate and graduate studies, I gained a deeper understanding of every course I took and gained new friendships. This culture, while talking to my peers, is what sets the Department of Physics and Astronomy at WSU apart from other departments and other universities.
Meet Brandon Boudreaux: Physics major

Meet Brandon Boudreaux: Physics major

My favorite thing about the physics and astronomy department is the community and the atmosphere. The physics department feels present and close-knit. My involvement in the Society of Physics Students has blessed me with the opportunity to be a part of that community.
Meet Anna Marlatt: B.S. Physics/B.A. Astronomy '16

Meet Anna Marlatt: B.S. Physics/B.A. Astronomy '16

Anna Marlatt talks about her experience majoring in the Physics and Astronomy Department and her career path after graduation. "I first fell in love with physics and astronomy in my ninth-grade Earth Science class. I was fortunate enough to have attended a high school with a planetarium that offered several physics and astronomy courses. Wayne State was the ideal choice for me because they offered both options."
Meet Isaac Mooney: Ph.D. in Physics' 22

Meet Isaac Mooney: Ph.D. in Physics' 22

Isaac Mooney graduated from Wayne State with a Ph.D. in Physics in 2022. He worked in the relativistic heavy ion research group with Professor Joern Putschke. He is now a postdoctoral researcher at Yale University, Jet Working Group convener in the STAR collaboration and also received an honorable mention in the 2022-23 RHIC/AGS Thesis Award competition.
Meet Jake Miller: B.S. in Physics '18

Meet Jake Miller: B.S. in Physics '18

I had always been interested in science as a kid. Once I started taking college-level science courses, I fell in love with it. It is one thing to be interested in the physical world around us, but once I started to understand the theory behind it, I knew I was in the right field.
More spotlights

News

Russ Carroll installs the Zowada Observatory in its new location on Palomar Mountain in California.

Philanthropist discusses Zowada Observatory’s move and future outreach with WDET

Meet Dr. Sean Gavin, interim chair of the Department of Physics and Astronomy

 Cover of Dr. Chalmers's PhD dissertation with bookshelves in the background

Remembering Physics Professor Dr. Joseph Chalmers

College of Liberal Arts and Sciences announces new department chairs
More news

Events

Solar Observing in Schools