Department of Physics

Develop a broad, deep, and rigorous knowledge of the quantitative problems that govern the natural world.

Intellectually challenging and exciting graduate research alongside leading physics faculty full of talent, enthusiasm, and imagination.
According to a multi-year study released by the National Research Council (NRC) in 2010, we are in the top echelon (10-15) of physics departments in the United States.
The physics department is also committed to fostering an inclusive community where people of all backgrounds feel safe and supported.

The physics faculty is a community of innovative and inspiring research and instructional physicists at the frontier of science.
Featured Faculty

Physics Spotlight

Three individuals and one group received 2022 Climate and Diversity Awards from the Eberly College of Science.

Photons that are forced to interact with each other through waveguides demonstrate behavior evocative of the fractional quantum Hall effect

Penn State hosts CUWiP 2023!
We are excited to host one of the sites of the 2023 APS Conference for Undergraduate Women in Physics!