An aerial view of the KU campus at sunset showing the moon over Fraser Hall with a colorful sky

Understanding the Universe Starts Here

The KU Department of Physics & Astronomy is a bridge to understanding the world, educating future physicists and astronomers, unearthing new scientific discoveries, and challenging the perception of the Universe. Through the commitment that faculty, students, and staff have to transformational education and interdisciplinary research, "Understanding the Universe Starts Here," at the KU Department of Physics & Astronomy.

Undergraduate research in Engineering Physics

Undergraduate Program

Discover information about earning a degree in physics, astronomy, and more!

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A Large Hadron Collider at CERN

Graduate Program

Information about the Graduate Program - including degrees options, resources, and more!

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One of the department graduate students in a zoom call

Department Testimonials

A video from department faculty, students, and staff. See why they chose KU Physics & Astronomy!

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KU Physics and Astronomy Statistics

Top 50
RANKING IN US GRADUATE PROGRAMS FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS
6
NSF CAREER AWARDS AMONG ACTIVE FACULTY
5
NSF GRADUATE RESEARCH FELLOWS IN THE PAST 4 YEARS

KU Physics & Astronomy News

Photo of Elisabeth Mills inset into an image rendering of PRIMA

KU astronomer on space probe team that advances to next round of $1B NASA mission selection

Elisabeth Mills is a co-investigator on a proposal for a far-infrared mission that over the next year will receive $5 million to flesh out the plans and prototypes for a new class of astrophysics observatories.
Artist's conception of an Exoplanet Atmosphere

KU Physics and Astronomy Professor receives more than $600,000 from NASA for his research

Associate Professor Ian Crossfield (Physics & Astronomy) was awarded more than $600,000 from NASA to support his group's work characterizing planetary systems around other stars.
Visitors to KU's Planetarium

KU Planetarium Celebrates its 1000th Visitor

The KU Planetarium celebrated its 1000th visitor on September 18th, 2024. Since its start in 2022 the planetarium has educated and entertained visitors from the public, local schools, rural Kansas, and members of the KU community.
Dmitry Ovchinnikov Laboratory

KU Physics and Astronomy Professor receives $1 million award from Department of Energy

Assistant Professor Dmitry Ovchinnikov was awarded a large grant from the Department of Energy to support his research in state-of-the-art nanofabrication techniques.