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Department of Physics, Geosciences & Astronomy

College of Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics

Department of Physics, Geosciences & Astronomy

College of Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics

Study the Physical Nature of the Universe

Examine the smallest minerals or the largest galaxies

The department of physics, geosciences, and astronomy emphasizes hands-on experience focused on real-world problems to prepare students to lead the next generations of astronomers, environmental geoscientists, physicists, and engineers. As the School of Opportunity, we are pleased to offer lab equipment typically found at R1 institutions, ensuring high-quality experiential learning and cutting-edge research opportunities for our students.

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Department of Physics, Geosciences & Astronomy Degrees & Certificates

Undergraduate Programs

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Why Study Physics, Geosciences & Astronomy?

Physics teaches inventive thinking and problem-solving—making physicists desirable in fields as diverse as astronomy, computer science, law, medicine, and biophysics. We offer degrees in general physics, physics engineering, and physics teaching.

Geologic and geographic information and analysis are key to a variety of exciting fields—from alternative energy solutions, weather and climate systems, hydrology, and natural disasters and hazards mitigation. We offer a degree in environmental and applied geology and a GIS certificate that can give you a competitive edge in fields as diverse as environmental management, criminal justice, healthcare, and more.

The department has the following facilities to support astronomy/astrophysics research and teaching:

  • The EKU Observatory, which houses a permanently mounted 16 in telescope under a retractable roof that can be controlled remotely. An opportunity exists for faculty to revive the use of the Observatory.
  • The EKU Telescope Deck, which contains a set of 6 in Celestron telescopes, is used for observing sessions for astronomy courses and outreach events.
  • The Hummel Planetarium is a 194-seat theater with a 67.5 ft tilted dome used for astronomy education research, a classroom for introductory astronomy courses, and for outreach events.

EKU’s optics research group is equipped with the type of equipment more commonly found at R1 institutions. In our lab, you’ll find:

  • A femtosecond Coherent Chameleon Vision-S tunable ultrafast titanium:sapphire laser
  • Two nanosecond pulsed Nd:YAG lasers with tens of mJ pulse energies
  • Horiba triple turret imaging spectrometer with TEC-cooled Synapse CCD
  • Precision interferometric delay stages with 230mm travel, 2nm incremental step size
  • Custom 18″ interferometric, pneumatically isolated TMC optic tables (10′ x 5′ x 18″), 8″ Thorlabs optical table (8′ x 4′ x 8″), and a range of optical breadboards used for prototyping/development/etc.
  • Various cw laser sources, extensive selection of optics and optomechanics, translation stages, SRS digital lock-in amplifier, etc.
  • AFM with ≲ 10nm resolution

EKU’s nuclear and particle physics detector laboratory is equipped with the type of equipment more commonly found at R1 institutions. We collaborate with universities and national labs to develop and characterize hardware across nuclear and particle physics with a wide range of sub projects. In our lab you’ll find:

  • A Nal(Tl) detector array consisting of 24 detectors and a 32 channel CAEN DT5560SE digitizer
  • Fast scintillators (including CeBr3, BaF2, plastics) for fast coincidence timing applications with a CAEN DT5751 digitizer
  • A plethora of nuclear physics instrumentation modules, high voltage power supplies, amplifiers, PMTs, electronics, and precision pulse generators
  • Digital signal processing tools: fast CAEN digitizers, Red Pitayas, FPGAs, and off the shelf and custom software for DAQ systems
  • Quad node server with 192 AMD multithreaded cores for HPC Monte Carlo simulations and analysis of data
  • HiCUBE vacuum pump system with vacuum vessels, components, and gauges
  • Computational workstations for students

Student Stories & Features

Madeline Bentsen

EKU Forensic Science Graduate
The faculty was tough and fair, they wanted me to succeed and they pushed me to think critically and logically. However, they were very understanding and cared deeply for their students. They helped to prepare me for the field of forensics and helped me strengthen my weaknesses.
photo of Brad Rich

Brad Rich

EKU Forensic Science Graduate
The thing that I feel like many people, including myself, find surprising about the program is how encompassing it is. It’s not all chemistry or biology but also public speaking and critical thinking incorporated with mock trial and capstone that truly prepare you for the field of forensic science. After graduating I realized just how well I was prepared by the faculty in my program, making the transition from education to career seamless.

Madison High

EKU Environmental and Applied Geology Graduate
My degree provided me with the knowledge I needed to get a solid start to my career. I was able to get a job with the Kentucky Geological Survey within a few months of graduating and I am thrilled to be working for them. I also took the ASBOG Fundamentals of Geology exam shortly after graduating and passed it on my first try.

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Contact Information

Department of Physics, Geosciences & Astronomy

Science Building
Room 3140

859-622-1521
pgas@eku.edu

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