Welcome to the Department of Physics and Astronomy at The University of Toledo. We are a growing, world-class department with strong programs in research and academics, nationally and internationally recognized faculty members, ties to physics-related industries and a record of student success. We strive to provide students with access to the cutting-edge research efforts of a larger institution, while still maintaining the level of personal interaction with faculty found at smaller places. Our faculty have the highest level of external research funding at UToledo, with a five-year total of more than $42 million! (Source: UToledo Office of Research, 12/2023)
starting median salaries for physics and astronomy careers
In addition to providing a strong education in physics and astronomy, our programs educate students in the areas of critical thinking, modeling, design and development. This allows physics and astronomy majors to be hired in a variety of settings. Salary information is based on AIP statistics.
$115,000
Private sector grad
$60,000
Private sector undergrad
$65,000
National labs
$45,000
Education
Physics and astronomy - study the world and the universe
The study of physics & astronomy allows us to address the age-old questions, “how do things work?” and “where do we come from?” Physics forms the basis for other sciences and much of our technology. Additionally, an understanding of physics plays a crucial role in addressing many important challenges such as energy production, semiconductor technology, and climate change.
- World-class faculty — supported by grants such as from the Department of Energy, getting time on major telescopes and computational facilities, advancing the fields of bioimaging and radiation oncology
- Cutting edge research — the origins of the elements, planets, stars and star clusters, and galaxies
- Hands-on experience — complete research as an undergraduate, use a 1.0m telescope, networking opportunities and social activities with the award-winning chapter of the Society of Physics Students (SPS)
- State-of-the-art facilities — Wright Center for Photovoltaics Innovation and Commercialization (PVIC), Toledo Heavy Ion Accelerator (THIA), Ritter Astrophysical Research Center (RARC) including the Ritter 1.0m telelscope, Ritter Planetarium and Brooks Observatory, radiation and diagnostic equipment to perform research in medical physics, several parallel computing clusters, as well as access to the Ohio Supercomputer Cluster, used for theoretical and computational research
- Variety of programs — undergraduate Bachelor of the Arts and Bachelor of the Sciences degrees in physics and in astronomy, NSF Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU), doctoral program in physics and in astronomy, including the only CAMPEP-accredited program in State of Ohio with both MS, and Ph.D. degrees and residency program
News
- May 2024: Congratulations to Dr. Rupali Chandar, Dr. Randy Ellingson, Dr. Nikolas Podraza, Dr. Zhaoning Song, Dr. Yanfa Yan for being selected as Scholarly and Creative Activity Award Winners by The University of Toledo Research & Sponsored Programs Office for their made outstanding research contributions over the past three years
- May 2024: UToledo news highlights Physics and astronomy undergraduates working Dr. Rupali Chandar to analyze data from the James Webb Space Telescope
- Apr 2024: Congratulations to Dr. Marie Solange Tumusange (Nik Podraza, advisor) for successfully defending her Ph. D. thesis entitled "Spectroscopic Ellipsometry Studies of Perovskite Materials and Stability Evaluation for Optoelectronic Applications"
- Apr 2024: UToledo news featured graduate student Sam Federman's work on protostars
- April 2024: Congratulations to the winners of the departmental awards
- Brown Bag Award
- Mae Higgins
- Miranda Caputo
- Chad Tabory Award
- 1st Place Thomas Behling
- 2nd Place Morgan Spooneybarger
- Undergraduate Outstanding Department Service Awards
- Mary Braun
- Alana “Milo” Eckhardt
- Tyler Robbins
- Graduate Outstanding Department Service Awards
- James Agostino
- Bailey Frye
- Ryan Hazlett
- Excellence in Outreach Award
- Abigail Ambrose
- Miranda Caputo
- Grant Donnelly
- Jared Friedl
- Natasha Jones
- Stik Award
- Jillian Bornak
- Brown Bag Award
- April 2024: Congratulations to Dr. Anne Medling, Dr. Aniruddha Ray, and Dr. Eli Visbal for their promotion to Associate Professor
Notices
- Applications are being accepted for Fall 2024 admission to the Physics and Astronomy graduate program. The application deadline is January 4th, 2024.
- Professional Science Master's degree program in Photovoltaics
- Undergraduate minor in renewable energy
Events
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