UCF Physics Department

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UCF Physics Department

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The mission of the Department of Physics of the University of Central Florida is to provide educatio Relatively speaking, we are a young department.

The Department of Physics at the University of Central Florida is committed to education, research and service of the highest quality. The origins of UCF itself may be traced back to 1968, but the Physics department did not have a well defined mission until 1978 and did not assume responsibility for teaching physics to UCF undergraduates until 1982. After an interesting history which saw physics department excel in several research areas, particularly in optics and lasers, leading to the formation of CREOL which also triggered the search for new directions and strategies for rebuilding, the department has evolved into one of the most exciting, productive and forward looking physics departments in the country. We can boast of very successful research programs in the areas of materials for energy needs, physics at the nanoscale, planetary science, surface science, biological physics, atomic and molecular physics which includes the recent addition of attosecond physics, and a conglomeration of efforts in computational physics. There are also emerging research initiatives in the areas of physics education research and mathematical physics. In the past three years, physics faculty members have published collectively about 150 papers per year and their work has been cited over 3000 times per year. Many of these publications are co-authored with graduate and undergraduate students. Our students have also been very active in presenting their research in local, regional, national, and international conferences and workshops. Several of our students have won awards for their presentations. The UCF chapter of the Society for Physics Students is one of the most active ones in the country and has been so recognized through “Outstanding Chapter Award” by the national for past five years. Our faculty also have been recipient of several coveted awards and other distinctions. Our graduate student body is on the increase with about 90 members at present from about 16 countries and several states in the union. The departmental external funding has been rising steadily reaching over $ 5.4 million in 2009 — not a mean achievement for 21.5 tenured or tenure-track faculty. This number does not include the research funding several other physics faculty who also belong to UCF research centers ( Nanoscience and Technology Center and Advanced Materials Processing and Analysis Center). Close interactions with these and other research centers (several of whose faculty have secondary joint appointment in the physics department) fosters strong interdisciplinary research activities for our students and faculty. Such interdisciplinary activities are particularly useful for our undergraduates since they are expected to engage in research as part of their degree requirement. The department values diversity in the broadest sense and is committed to creating a climate that is conducive to the intellectual and social development of a diverse group of individuals. The availability of the new Physical Sciences building is allowing us to expand our horizons in research, education and community outreach in even bigger ways.

23/10/2026

Homecoming spirit week wrapped up today at the College of Sciences! 🚀

The UCF Physics Department faculty and staff showed their vacation-inspired looks for Travel Tuesday. 🛫

With the big game tomorrow, we’re ready to stomp, splash and cheer for our Knights to victory as they take on BYU in the Bounce House! 🏈 🏇

Join us in showing off your black and gold spirit as we cheer on our Knights at the Homecoming Game tomorrow and build momentum for next week! 💛 🖤

16/10/2026

Physics Department Graduate Program Open House - Register today: https://applynow.graduate.ucf.edu/register/fall26_physics.

For more information about our PhD Program, please visit:https://sciences.ucf.edu/physics/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/10/UCF_Physics_PhD_Booklet_Merged_v13-002_rvsd.pdf

09/10/2026

29/09/2026

28/09/2026

Ready to explore new frontiers? 🚀

Join UCF College of Sciences Alumni for Science on Tap: From the Moon and Beyond.

At this event, we'll explore new frontiers in lunar exploration, scientific discovery and the future of space exploration. Learn how scientists are uncovering the Moon's secrets, shaping future missions and helping humanity take its next steps beyond Earth.

Plus, get hands-on with educational lunar mining robots from UCF's Stephen W. Hawking Center for Microgravity Research and Education. Test-drive the robots and explore technologies designed for future lunar missions.

Featured Speakers

Dr. Kerri Donaldson Hanna, Principal Investigator, Lunar-VISE Mission, Associate Professor, UCF Physics Department

Dr. Adrienne Dove, Deputy Principal Investigator, Lunar-VISE Mission, Professor and Chair, UCF Department of Physics

Dr. Philip Metzger, Planetary Physicist and lunar exploration expert, Florida Space Institute (FSI)

Sip something tasty, swap stories and enjoy a night of unapologetically nerding out. Where curiosity is always on tap, see you there!

📅 Friday, Oct. 9, 2026

⏰️ 6 - 8 p.m. (Registration opens: 5:30 p.m.)

🍺 Brewlando Brewing

🎟️ $10 tickets

Reserve your seat: https://foundation.ucf.edu/Science-On-Tap

18/09/2026

Very interesting discovery by Dr. Madhab Neupane and team, READ MORE:

Professor Madhab Neupane and collaborators have demonstrated experimental evidence of altermagnetism in a layered material, opening a promising pathway toward future quantum and spintronic technologies.

14/09/2026

Dr. Talat Rahman and others speak about the APS Climate Site Visits :

The American Physical Society is a nonprofit membership organization working to advance physics by fostering a vibrant, inclusive, and global community dedicated to science and society.

24/08/2026

Congratulations to Syeda Faiza Rubab Sherazi on receiving first prize for poster presentation at the 85th Annual Physical Electronics Conference: Next Generation Surfaces and Interfaces, held August 18–21, 2026, at UC San Diego in La Jolla, California.

For more information about the conference, please see the link below:

https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fpec.ucsd.edu%2Fhome&data=05%7C02%7CNikitta.Campbell%40ucf.edu%7C4a6005b9135b4cc8d0ef08df01f62306%7Cbb932f15ef3842ba91fcf3c59d5dd1f1%7C0%7C0%7C639231828898432975%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=RP310%2B8vAtCQ8EbarCtTejVwc1DNaHxnMXX2dLjspBI%3D&reserved=0

11/08/2026

Congratulations Taylor Douglas, one of our Physics Bridge Program students 💯💯💯

06/08/2026

🎉 Congratulations to UCF Physics Department doctoral students Nicholas Lewis and Jayden Craft on earning the prestigious U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science Graduate Student Research Fellowship!

Through this highly competitive fellowship, Nicholas and Jayden conduct research at two of the nation's leading national laboratories. Through his appointment at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Nicholas studies electron interactions in quantum systems to improve computational models that help scientists better understand atomic behavior and interpret experiments at advanced light sources. At the National Energy Technology Laboratory in Pittsburgh, Jayden works to enhance quantum sensing techniques using optical fibers, helping make these technologies more portable for real-world applications, including the detection of rare-earth elements that are essential to modern technology.

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Opening Hours

Monday	08:00 - 17:00
Tuesday	08:00 - 17:00
Wednesday	08:00 - 17:00
Thursday	08:00 - 17:00
Friday	08:00 - 17:00

Telephone

+14078232325

Website

https://sciences.ucf.edu/physics/

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