Physics & Astronomy

UNH Physics Community

Interstellar mapping and acceleration probe mission

Explore the Department of physics & Astronomy

The UNH Department of Physics & Astronomy has about 22 teaching faculty, 25 research faculty and research scientists, 60 undergraduate students and 60 graduate students. It houses state-of-the-art educational and laboratory facilities and is engaged in world-class research in a number of areas. The affiliated UNH Observatory is open to the public.

  • Olaiya A. Olokunboyo
    Wildcat Spotlight
    Olaiya A. Olokunboyo
    Ph.D. Student Hopes to Establish the Connection Between Interlayer Alignment and Electronic State
    Olaiya Olokunboyo is a Ph.D. student studying condensed matter physics. His hometown is in Ayila, Ogunwaterside in Ogun State, Nigeria and he received a bachelor’s in physics from the University of Ibadan in Oyo State, Nigeria. 1. Why did you choose UNH for your graduate program? 
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    Wildcat Spotlight
    Olaiya A. Olokunboyo
    Ph.D. Student Hopes to Establish the Connection Between Interlayer Alignment and Electronic State
    Olaiya Olokunboyo is a Ph.D. student studying condensed matter physics. His hometown is in Ayila, Ogunwaterside in Ogun State, Nigeria and he received a bachelor’s in physics from the University of Ibadan in Oyo State, Nigeria. 1. Why did you choose UNH for your graduate program? 
    Learn More
  • Tan_Dao
    Alumni
    Tan Dao '21
    UNH Alum Wins Prestigious Graduate Fellowship
    Tan Dao, a 2021 graduate of the University of New Hampshire, was recently awarded The Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans, a merit-based graduate school program for immigrants and children of immigrants. Selected from nearly 2,000 applicants, the 30 Paul & Daisy Soros Fellows...
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    Alumni
    Tan Dao '21
    UNH Alum Wins Prestigious Graduate Fellowship
    Tan Dao, a 2021 graduate of the University of New Hampshire, was recently awarded The Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans, a merit-based graduate school program for immigrants and children of immigrants. Selected from nearly 2,000 applicants, the 30 Paul & Daisy Soros Fellows...
    Learn More
  • Shawna_Hollen
    Faculty Spotlight
    Quantum Leap
    Hollen receives $350,000 NSF Grant to create new two-dimensional materials
    Shawna Hollen, an associate professor in the department of physics and astronomy, was recently awarded a $350,000 grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to create and study new two-dimensional materials that could produce a breakthrough in memory and computing technologies.
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    Faculty Spotlight
    Quantum Leap
    Hollen receives $350,000 NSF Grant to create new two-dimensional materials
    Shawna Hollen, an associate professor in the department of physics and astronomy, was recently awarded a $350,000 grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to create and study new two-dimensional materials that could produce a breakthrough in memory and computing technologies.
    Learn More
  • Schwadron
    Faculty Spotlight
    Physics Fellow
    Schwadron elected American Geophysical Union Fellow
    UNH faculty member Nathan Schwadron has been elected to the 2022 Class of Fellows of the American Geophysical Union (AGU) — a prestigious international award that honors exceptional scientific contributions to Earth and space sciences.
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    Faculty Spotlight
    Physics Fellow
    Schwadron elected American Geophysical Union Fellow
    UNH faculty member Nathan Schwadron has been elected to the 2022 Class of Fellows of the American Geophysical Union (AGU) — a prestigious international award that honors exceptional scientific contributions to Earth and space sciences.
    Learn More
  • Denise_Richard_Peacecorps
    Alumni
    Denise Richard '14
    Physics alum heads to Kenya for Peace Corps
    University of New Hampshire alum Denise Richard '14 is among the first Peace Corps volunteers to return to overseas service since the agency’s unprecedented global evacuation in March 2020.The Peace Corps suspended global operations and evacuated nearly 7,000 volunteers from more than 60 countries...
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    Alumni
    Denise Richard '14
    Physics alum heads to Kenya for Peace Corps
    University of New Hampshire alum Denise Richard '14 is among the first Peace Corps volunteers to return to overseas service since the agency’s unprecedented global evacuation in March 2020.The Peace Corps suspended global operations and evacuated nearly 7,000 volunteers from more than 60 countries...
    Learn More
UNH Observatory

Observatory

First and third Saturday of every month:

  • 8-10 pm from September through March
  • 9-11 pm from April through August

Makes a great family outing!

Free Public Sessions

Physics Help Center

PHYS 401/402/407/408 students:

Drop by the Physics Help Center in DeMeritt 238, where you can work on your homework problems and get help if you get stuck. No appointment required.

The help center will open on the Tuesday after Labor Day (9/5), and it will run up to and including the final day of classes (12/11).

In-person in Demeritt 238

Monday 11 am - 12 noon
Wednesday

1 pm - 4 pm
Thursday

1 pm - 2 pm
Friday 2 pm - 3 pm
Eberhard Möbius

Research

Recent Stories

UNH professor Chanda Prescod-Weinstein in front of a painting of Black astronomers.

Prescod-Weinstein Honored with Cottrell Scholar Award

Prescod-Weinstein Honored with Cottrell Scholar Award

Award funds dark matter research, new physics course...

Article
UNH PhD candidate David Ruth smiles at the camera in front of physics equipment

Testing a Fundamental Force

Testing a Fundamental Force

New study by UNH physicists advances our understanding of the universe...

Article
Understanding the Nucleus, and Everything

Understanding the Nucleus, and Everything

Understanding the Nucleus, and Everything

UNH’s decades-long expertise in nuclear physics could fuel future innovations...

Article
View All News Stories

Upcoming Events

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Programs of Study

Undergraduate

Minors

Graduate

  • Toni with Dean Wayne Jones (left) and Associate Dean Chuck Zercher (right)
    Physics research professor Antoinette Galvin receives 2018 UNH Excellence in Research Award

    Toni with Dean Wayne Jones (left) and Associate Dean Chuck Zercher (right).  Congratulations, Toni!

  • Nathan with Dean Wayne Jones
    Physics professor Nathan Schwardron receives 2018 UNH Excellence in Research Award

    Nathan with Dean Wayne Jones (left) during the CEPS faculty meeting.  Congratulations, Nathan!

  • Shawna Hollen
    Prof. Hollen elected to APS DCMP Executive Committee

    Assistant Professor Shawna Hollen has been elected to the executive committee of the Division of Condensed Matter Physics (DCMP) of the American Physical Society.

  • Harlan Spence
    UNH Professor Named American Association for Advancement of Science Fellow

    DURHAM, N.H. - Space plasma physicist Harlan Spence has been named a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). Spence, director of the Institute for the Study of Earth, Oceans and Space and professor of physics at the University of New Hampshire, is among the 396 new fellows.

    Learn more

  • Nasa magnetospheric multiscale mission spacecraft
    Magnetic Reconnection

    UNH contribution to NASA's MMS mission yields explosive new findings. Learn more.

  • DeMeritt Hall
    World-Class Facilities

    UNH Physics is housed in the recently constructed DeMeritt Hall, which features state-of-the-art teaching and research facilities.