Physics and Astronomy

The Department of Physics at Radford University offers dynamic programs for students interested in pursuing their Physics degree and taking that degree into a number of fields after graduation. The department offers four concentrations within the physics major so that students can customize their experience. Those concentrations are Experimental and Theoretical Physics, Astrophysics, Biophysics, and Physics Education. 

We are committed to quality undergraduate education, with emphasis on hands-on education. Our faculty work with students in a number of individual ways to enhance their regular coursework. Ongoing research projects include work in surface physics (scanning tunneling microscopy), observational astronomy, geophysics, microcontroller-based sensor design, and others. 

Program Options

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A State-of-the-Art Physics Education

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Flexibility

Choose between four concentrations within the physics major: biophysics, astrophysics, experimental and theoretical physics and physics education. 

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Dedicated Faculty

Learn from faculty members from the best academic programs in the country from diverse academic specialties.

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Student Success

The physics program has dedicated professors who are truly invested in the improvement of their students. Every one of my professors has cultivated something in me that I believe has made me a better student and a better person. With my professors, I have traveled to Nashville to observe the total solar eclipse for the Citizen CATE Experiment and I will be going to Alaska to conduct research with the equipment I built.

Ryan Fry '19

Physics Major, Math Minor

Photo of Ryan Fry using equipment he built to measure the sun's rays in Alaska

    

    

Program Initiatives

In addition to its academic majors and minors, the Physics Department also runs the Radford University Planetarium, coordinates the Radford University Science Days outreach program, coordinates the Alaska research trip and conducts additional undergraduate research.

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Planetarium

The planetarium is a state-of-the-art Digistar 5 system located in a 10-meter-diameter dome that can seat up to 55 visitors.

Image of Radford University students observing the solar eclipse in Nashville, Tennessee as part of the Project CATE Experiment

Project CATE Experiment

Radford University faculty and students traveled to Nashville, Tennessee to take part in the Project CATE Experiment and track and film the total solar eclipse.

Image of Radford University physics' students conducting research in Barrow, Alaska

Alaska Research Trip

Once every two years, a group of Radford University students brave bone-rattling temperatures in Alaska, all in the name of science.