About the Department of Physics and Astronomy
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The Department of Physics and Astronomy
What We Do
Our physics majors acquire a broad understanding of the physical principles of nature, develop critical thinking and quantitative reasoning skills and become creative scientific thinkers. They work close with experienced faculty in a supportive department that offers opportunities for collaboration and research throughout the year. Students apply this knowledge in ways to advance strong communication and analytical skills.
Who We Are
The University of Mississippi is categorized as an R1 research institution, which means that our faculty are at the top of their fields and actively conducting groundbreaking research. It also means students work and study alongside some of the best.
Our faculty members include award-winning educators and researchers with years of experience. Our department boasts particular strengths in the areas of Condensed Matter Physics, Gravitational Physics, High Energy Physics, and Physical Acoustics.
What We Offer
GRAD
Gain training at the leading-edge of ideas in science, technology, academia, and government.
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GRAD
Be prepared to pursue professional careers in physics, either in academia, as research physicists, or in industry careers.
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Welcome from the Department Chair
The Department of Physics and Astronomy offers exciting courses of study at the undergraduate and graduate level. Our faculty are deeply committed to their exceptional scholarship and to high-quality teaching and mentoring. The research enterprise covers everything from tabletop experiments in the lab to particle colliders and gravitational wave detectors run as vast international collaborations; from paper-and-pencil theory to simulations on high-performance computing clusters. Students at all levels can easily find ways to connect with frontier research opportunities in condensed matter physics, gravity, high energy physics, and physical acoustics. We are proud that the University of Mississippi carries the R1 Carnegie designation reserved for doctoral universities with the highest level of research activity.
Kevin S D Beach
Chair and Associate Professor of Physics and Astronomy
Leadership and Support
Meet the faculty and staff who support the faculty and students in the Department of Physics and Astronomy.
Kevin Beach
- Chair and Associate Professor of Physics and Astronomy
Gavin Davies
- Associate Professor of Physics and Astronomy and Graduate Program Coordinator
Joel Mobley
- Professor of Physics and Astronomy and Undergraduate Program Coordinator: Senior Scientist I at the National Center for Physical Acoustics
Emily Hollowell
- Administrative Assistant
Heather McBride
- Operations Coordinator Physics
Richard Watkins
- Machine Shop Manager
Condensed Matter Physics Faculty
Faculty who work in the subfield of condensed matter physics.
Kevin Beach
- Chair and Associate Professor of Physics and Astronomy
Igor Ostrovskii
- Professor of Physics & Astronomy
High Energy Faculty
Faculty who work in the subfield of high energy/particle physics.
Jake Bennett
- Associate Professor of Physics and Astronomy
Alakabha Datta
- Professor of Physics and Astronomy
Gavin Davies
- Associate Professor of Physics and Astronomy and Graduate Program Coordinator
Gene Quinn
- Profess of Physics and Astronomy and Director of the Center for Multimessenger Astrophysics
Gravity and Astrophysics Faculty
Faculty who work in the subfield of gravity and astrophysics.
Luca Bombelli
- Professor of Physics and Astronomy
James Bonifacio
- Assistant Professor of Physics and Astronomy
Anuradha Gupta
- Assistant Professor of Physics & Astronomy
Nicholas MacDonald
- Assistant Professor of Physics and Astronomy
Leo Stein
- Associate Professor of Physics and Astronomy
Physical Acoustics Faculty
Faculty who work in the subfield of physical acoustics.
Cecille Labuda
- Associate Professor of Physics & Astronomy
Joel Mobley
- Professor of Physics and Astronomy and Undergraduate Program Coordinator: Senior Scientist I at the National Center for Physical Acoustics