Clearest images yet of 380,000-year-old baby universe released
The new results confirm a simple model of the universe and have ruled out a majority of competing alternatives, says the research team.
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Physics is an exciting, living, discipline that continually moves in new directions: biophysics, nanophysics, and experimental cosmology are all areas which did not exist until relatively recently. Some of the greatest challenges we now face, such as how to manage our dwindling resources of fossil fuels and how to control/mitigate global warming, require a deep understanding of physics. Additionally, with the recent turn-on of the Large Hadron Collider, we are on the threshold of a new era of particle physics.
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Academic Opportunities in Physics
Graduate Study
The graduate physics program at Cornell is multidisciplinary, broad and congenial, and has access to superb facilities. Explore the links below to learn more.
Undergraduate Study
Studying physics at Cornell is a gateway to your future. For our alumni, a degree from Cornell has opened doors to employment with companies like Apple, careers in law, and research and faculty positions across the globe. Our combination of first-class research facilities and congenial atmosphere provide our students with the best environment to learn theoretical and experimental physics. At Cornell there is no need to limit yourself to coursework within our department. Many of our students choose to expand their education with coursework and research in complementary fields like Astronomy, Engineering, Biology and Computer Science.
Physics News
Eight students advance to 3MT finals
Students from several graduate fields, including physics in A&S, will compete in the final round of the 2025 Three Minute Thesis competition (3MT) on March 19.
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Peer recognition crucial for success in physics research
Even when women receive similar amounts of recognition from peers as men for excelling in physics classes, they perceive significantly less peer recognition, new research has found.
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Solar solutions: Bio-inspired approach creates bespoke photovoltaics
What if photovoltaic panels were a hinged, lightweight fabric that was aesthetically attractive and could wrap around complex shapes to better absorb sunlight?
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Mentorship series: Rebeckah Fussell and Natasha Holmes
In a series of interviews with faculty-graduate student pairs, the Cornell University Graduate School spoke with Rebeckah Fussell, a Ph.D. candidate in physics, and Natasha Holmes, Ann S. Bowers Associate Professor of physics.
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X-ray study sheds light on cost-effective fuel cell materials
Cornell researchers have captured an unprecedented, real-time view of how a promising catalyst material transforms during operation, providing new insights that could lead to replacement of expensive precious metals in clean-energy technologies.
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New Klarman Fellows to join the College of Arts and Sciences
Fellows will pursue research in the sciences, social sciences and humanities.
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Light-activated micro device expands ‘green’ electrochemistry
Cornell chemists and nanofabrication experts have joined forces to create a 2 millimeter-wide, wireless, light-activated device to simplify electrochemistry for broad use.
Read morePhysics Events
Mar
24
Monday
04:00 PM
Department of Physics Colloquium, Professor Michalis Bachtis, UCLA
Rockefeller Hall
201, Schwartz Auditorium
Apr
01
Tuesday
12:20 PM
LASSP and AEP Seminar: William M. Jacobs (Princeton)
Clark Hall
700
Apr
07
Monday
04:00 PM
Department of Physics Colloquium - Bethe Lecture Series, Professor Shahal Ilani, Weizmann Institute of Science
Rockefeller Hall
201, Schwartz Auditorium
Apr
08
Tuesday
02:30 PM
Apr
09
Wednesday
07:30 PM
Spring 2025 Bethe Lecture Series - Public Lecture, Professor Shahal Ilani, Weizmann Institute of Science
Rockefeller Hall
201, Schwartz Auditorium
Apr
14
Monday
04:00 PM
Department of Physics Colloquium - Parratt Lecture, Professor Jonathan Simon, Stanford University
Rockefeller Hall
201, Schwartz Auditorium