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 2025: 13 ABC's "Spacing Out" talks with Dr. Michael Cushing about why the angle of sunlight in summer makes sunburn more likely
- May 2025: UToledo news highlights Dr. Yanfa Yan and collaborators' work improving perovskite solar cells
- Apr 2025: UToledo news highlights the upcoming shows at Ritter Planetarium
- Apr 2025: Congratulations to the winners of various awards given at the Department
Spring Awards Ceremony!
- Brown Bag Talk Awards: James Agostino (Fall), Andrew Miller (Spring), Grant Donnelly (Spring)
- Chad Tabory Award: 1st Place Milo Eckhardt, 2nd Place Atticus Destatte
- Outstanding Department Service Awards: Milo Eckhardt, Tessa Frincke, Savio Oliveira, Caroline Kuczek, Andrew Miller, Matthew Floyd, Bobby Stiller, Shreedhar Kandel, Sonal Bagade, Nalini Kaluarachchi
- Excellence in Outreach Award: Nalini Kaluarachchi, Abigail Ambrose, Jacob Beavon, Grant Donnelly
- Stik Award: Sara Duval and Caroline Kuczek
- Superlative Awards
- Most Interesting Research: James Agostino
- Most likely to be on TV: Mike Cushing
- Best Dressed: Harshil Kothari (awarded to Nik as a runner-up)
- Most likely to write a textbook: Ryan Hazlett
- Consumer of the most caffeine: Bobby Stiller
- Loudest laptop fan: Sam Beiler
- Most irregular sleep schedule: Tasha Jones
- Messiest desk: Abigail Ambrose
- Most likely to be in the lab/office on a weekend: Mae Higgins
- Most likely to break a piece of lab equipment: Ananya Sreelekha
- Brings the best food to share: Emily Amonette
- Most likely to be Grant Donnelly: Cory Whitcomb
- Most likely to sing Hamilton in their office: Anne Medling
- Apr 2025: Congratulations to Dr. Randy Ellingson on being recognized as a Distinguished University Professor
- Apr 2025: Congratulations to Dr. Nadeesha Katakumbura (Randy Ellingson, advisor) for successfully defending his Ph. D. thesis entitled "Optimization of CdTe Based Solar Cells Through Fabrication, Temperature Dependent Analysis of FF, and Predictive Modeling"!
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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