Physics, Department of
College of Science and Engineering
Dr. Veronica Barone, Chairperson
Dow 203, 989-774-2788
https://www.cmich.edu/colleges/cst/physics
Veronica Barone, Ph.D., Computational Physics, Molecular Modeling
Alfredo Estrade, Ph.D., Experimental Nuclear Physics and Nuclear Astrophysics
Marco Fornari, Ph.D., Computational Condensed Matter Physics
Mihai Horoi, Ph.D., Theoretical Nuclear Physics, Computational Physics
Koblar A. Jackson, Ph.D., Computational Condensed Matter Physics
Axel Mellinger, Ph.D., Experimental Materials Physics
Juan Peralta, Ph.D., Computational Condensed Matter Physics
Georgios Perdikakis, Ph.D., Experimental Nuclear Physics and Nuclear Astrophysics
Valeri Petkov, Ph.D., Experimental Materials Physics
Matthew Redshaw, Ph.D., Experimental Atomic and Nuclear Physics
Christopher Tycner, Ph.D., Observational Astrophysics
Glen Williams, Ph.D., Theoretical Astrophysics
Course Designators:
PHY - Physics
PHS - Physical Science
AST - Astronomy
The Programs:
Master of Science (M.S.) in Physics
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Physics
Ph.D. in the Science of Advanced Materials (Interdisciplinary)
The Central Michigan University Department of Physics offers the Master of Science in physics for students who are interested in careers in business, industry, and government as well as for those preparing to teach at the undergraduate level, or for those considering doctoral work in physics or a related area such as materials science or astronomy. For students seeking terminal degrees, the department also offers the Ph.D. in physics and participates in the multidisciplinary Science of Advanced Materials Ph.D. program. Classes are small, and students have the opportunity for close supervision and individual attention. Graduate research assistantships are available in several research areas, in addition to graduate teaching assistantships and fellowships. In past years, most graduate students in the Department of Physics have received financial support.
Department faculty members are active in the following areas of research: astrophysics and nuclear astrophysics, atomic physics, computational physics, condensed matter physics, materials physics, nuclear physics, observational astronomy, and science education. Collaborative research efforts exist with other CMU departments, and researchers at other universities and at national laboratories. A biweekly seminar series brings experts with varied research interests to campus.
The department is housed in the Leon A. and Frances M. McDermott wing of the Dow Science Center and hosts several laboratories. The computational physics laboratory studies the properties of materials and matter at the smallest scales using quantum mechanical and machine learning approaches and has access to high-performance computing resources to simulate nuclear processes, materials for sustainable energy conversion and storage, and materials for quantum information. The High Precision Penning Trap (CHIP-TRAP) lab is used to trap single atoms with magnetic and electric fields, and then measure their mass very precisely, aiming to perform some of the most precise mass measurements in the world. In the quantum materials laboratory, scientists explore novel materials with properties rooted in the quantum world and it is furnished with equipment for solid state synthesis and properties measurements at low temperatures and high magnetic fields. The X-ray diffraction laboratory is equipped to study the structure of both crystalline and amorphous materials. The condensed matter laboratory is designed to study the electrical properties of electret polymer films. The Brooks Astronomical Observatory is equipped for CCD photometric observations, optical spectroscopy, and general visual observing. Support facilities include electronics and machine shops, both staffed by full-time technicians.
Further information about research opportunities can be found on the department website, at https://www.cmich.edu/colleges/cst/physics.