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.
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
- November 2023: Congratulations to Dr. Md Alamgir Kabir (Aniruddha Ray, advisor) for successfully defending his Ph. D. thesis entitled "Application of Digital Holographic Microscopy for Drug Screening and Assessment of Cotton Fiber"
- November 2023: Congratulations to Dr. Victor Johnston (Anne Medling, advisor) for successfully defending his Ph. D. thesis entitled "Breaking Diagnostic Degeneracies in the Era of Spatially Resolved Galaxies"
- November 2023: Congratulations to Dr. Lei Chen (Yanfa Yan, advisor) for successfully defending his Ph. D. thesis entitled "Strategies to Enhance the Efficiency and Stability of Tin-Lead Perovskite Solar Cells and Their Applications in Tandems"
- November 2023: Congratulations to graduate student Prabin Dulal on his talk, "Anisotropic Optical Properties of GdScO3", winning the J.A. Woollam Foundation Best Student Talk Award (AVS Spectroscopic Ellipsometry Technical Group) at the AVS 69th International Symposium & Exhibition in Portland, OR
- November 2023: 13abc's "Spacing out" talks to Dr. Michael Cushing about the Moon and Venus in the sky and the Leonid meteor shower
- November 2023: UToledo news reports on the refurbishing of the Ritter Observatory and restarting of the student Observing Teams
- November 2023: UToledo news story about Dr. Aniruddha Ray developing a low-cost, high-resolution microscope
- October 2023: 13 ABC interviews Dr. Cushing about how solar storms can affect life on Earth
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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