Why New Mexico Tech Physics?

Physics at Tech

Physics, the most fundamental science, is the study of how the physical universe behaves. Physicists try to answer questions covering the range from the origins and structure of the universe, through the physical underpinnings of life, to the nature of subatomic particles. They work in such diverse fields as Nuclear Medicine, Astrophysics, Biophysics, Finance, Law, Energy Research, or Geo- and Planetary Science.

The New Mexico Tech Physics Department provides an outstanding education for its undergraduate majors and graduate students. Our faculty are dedicated to quality teaching and student success. Combine this with Tech's research facilities and it is no surprise that our Physics graduates consistently find their way to further research at internationally leading universities and are employed by major corporations and national laboratories.

All of our Physics students receive a well-rounded education in both theoretical and experimental methods. Currently there are about 100 undergraduate Physics Majors, with 40% of those women. Tech has one of the largest undergraduate programs in the country! Yet class sizes at all levels are kept small, with an overall student/faculty ratio of 7:1. Our Physics undergraduate curriculum includes a major laboratory class every year, providing valuable experience with experimental techniques and instrumentation. Graduate students can also expect the same broad education, with both theoretical courses and experimental research a part of every graduate program. Many undergraduate Physics students study Mathematics as a second major, or minor in the Electrical Engineering or Computer Science programs at Tech.

Tech's Physics faculty specialize in astrophysics and atmospheric physics. Not only graduate students are actively involved in the research. Our Physics majors have excellent opportunities to be involved in research as undergraduate students. Many work with faculty members to successfully co-author published scientific papers. Students are often employed by one of Tech's many research facilities, including the Langmuir Laboratory for Atmospheric Research, the Magdalena Ridge Observatory, the Energetic Materials Research and Testing Center, or the Array Operations Center of the National Radio Astronomy Observatory. Tech Physics students have been awarded summer internships at Sandia and Los Alamos National Laboratories, the National Solar Observatory at Sunspot, Arecibo Observatory of the National Astronomy and Ionosphere Center, and at several universities around the nation.

Over half of our graduates continue studying Physics for advanced degrees at schools such as Stanford, Colorado State, Texas A&M, U. C. Santa Cruz, and the Universities of Arizona, Hawaii, Oregon, Oklahoma, and Kentucky. In industrial and government research laboratories, our Physics bachelor degree graduates command very competitive salaries.

The New Mexico Tech Physics Department strives to maintain a friendly and collegial atmosphere in which faculty and students meet each other informally. There are several open study areas, a project room equipped with tools and small machine shop, and a computer workstation laboratory all dedicated to student use. The department maintains lively social and community activities, including an active chapter of the Society of Physics Students that has received Outstanding Chapter Awards as well as national recognition in the Blake Lilly Prize for physics outreach activities. The department also sponsors an intramural coed soccer team and holds several student/faculty sporting and social events throughout the year.

Contact People

Would you like to talk to someone here about living conditions, the weather, life as a student, or . . .? You can contact the physics department at physics@kestrel.nmt.edu. In addition, you can contact current students. Prospective grad students may contact Danielle Lucero, one of our current graduate students.

The Physics Department welcomes visits by prospective students. Arrangements can be made for lab tours and visits with faculty. More contact information is available.