Welcome to the Department of Physics at the University of Chicago
For more than a century, the Department of Physics at the University of Chicago has been a place where researchers pursue the biggest questions in science with intellectual rigor and bold ambition. The result has been a rich history of field-defining breakthroughs driven by both deep theoretical insight and innovative experimentation. Today, our research spans quantum science, hard and soft matter physics, particle and nuclear physics, astrophysics and cosmology, biological physics, and many other areas. We are equally committed to educating the next generation of scientists through outstanding classroom instruction, participation in research, and mentorship.
Across all of these endeavors, we are united by a culture that values intellectual rigor, creativity, and collaboration.
Our department is a community of undergraduate and graduate students, postdocs, staff, and faculty with a shared commitment to excellence in education and research. Every member plays an essential role in creating a welcoming environment where ideas are exchanged freely, learning and discovery flourish, and everyone has the opportunity to contribute, learn, and succeed.
Collaboration across disciplines is one of the defining strengths of research at the University of Chicago, and our faculty and students work closely with colleagues from around the University and at key partner institutions. The Department of Physics has close connections with the University's many interdisciplinary research institutes, including the Enrico Fermi Institute, the James Franck Institute, the Leinweber Institute for Theoretical Physics, the Kavli Institute for Cosmological Physics, the Institute for Biophysical Dynamics, and the Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering, as well as with the nearby U.S. Department of Energy national laboratories, Argonne National Laboratory and Fermilab. These partnerships enrich our research and expand the opportunities available to our students and scholars.
Whether you are a current member of the department, an alumnus, a prospective student, or just curious about physics and our work, I hope this website helps you explore our community. If you have questions or cannot find the information you are looking for, please don't hesitate to contact us. Prospective undergraduate students are encouraged to contact the Undergraduate Program Chair, Stuart Gazes, and prospective graduate students are encouraged to contact the Director of Graduate Studies, Zosia Krusberg. Additional contact information for our faculty and staff is available on the Contact Us page.
Thank you for your interest in the Department of Physics. We are proud of the department’s tradition of discovery and excited about the opportunities that lie ahead.
David Schmitz
Chair, Department of Physics