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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

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News & Updates

Students Take Their Research to Harvard, Representing EKU at the National Level

In January, six Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) students traveled to Harvard University and presented their research at the National Collegiate Research Conference (NCRC). This marked the second time students from EKU attended the conference, following recommendations from faculty mentors. “Our students being accepted to showcase their research at the NCRC—at Harvard—shows the massive potential of […]

College of STEM Honors Mr. Mark Sweet

A two-time Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) graduate, Mr. Mark Sweet, was named the 2024 College of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Award recipient. The college’s highest honor is presented to individuals who have made impactful contributions to the college. On receiving the College of STEM award, Mr. Sweet had this to say, “Considering the substantial number […]

EKU Student Spotlight: Esteban Castro Platonoff

Mr. Esteban Castro Platonoff was born and raised in Latacunga, Ecuador, in an adventurous family with his dad Diego, mom Carla, and younger brother Felipe.  When asked why he choose to attend Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) he said: “My family and I visited EKU in 2017, and I was amazed with how beautiful the campus is.  […]

Contact Information

Department of Physics, Geosciences & Astronomy

Science Building
Room 3140
533 John Hanlon Drive
Richmond, KY 40475

859-622-1521
pgas@eku.edu

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