Welcome to the Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Kentucky!

We are a community of scientists, students and enthusiasts that are deeply curious about the natural world and driven to discover the underlying principles of the universe. Our faculty are leading research programs that explore the most compelling mysteries of our era; questions about the nature of time, matter and anti-matter, the formation of galaxies and black holes, the principles underlying quantum computing and the emergence of novel new nanoscale materials and devices. 

These scientific pursuits inform all aspects of our program, allowing us to provide a rigorous education at the undergraduate, graduate and postdoctoral level. The tools we develop to solve problems in our research programs form the foundations for technologies that revolutionize our world. Students with degrees in physics are known to be innovative and independent problem solvers and are highly sought after for a wide range of positions in the business, law, medical and policy sectors, in addition to the technology-driven industries and traditional fundamental science research fields.

I invite you to browse our site for more information about our research efforts and degree programs, as well as our onsite observatory and a myriad of outreach programs.  Do not hesitate to contact me directly with questions or to schedule an on-campus visit.  

Renee Fatemi

Chair, Department of Physics