Student Experience
An award-winning Society of Physics Students, an astronomy journal club, weekly colloquia and summer research – a close-knit department where curiosity becomes a career.
Physics & Astronomy Student Life
Physics & Astronomy is a small, supportive department where students know their professors and each other. The Society of Physics Students – a nationally recognized chapter honored as an outstanding chapter several years running – meets every Friday at noon in NS 104 to host colloquium speakers, plan trips to national laboratories and hold movie nights.
An astronomy journal club of graduate and undergraduate students meets every Wednesday to discuss current research, weekly physics colloquia bring working scientists to campus, and the whole department gathers for the Thanksgiving party before the holiday break.
Academic Opportunities
Undergraduate Research
Beyond the Classroom
Student life revolves around the Society of Physics Students, the astronomy journal club and the department colloquium series – with trips to national laboratories, movie nights and the annual Thanksgiving party. Each fall the Bullitt Public Lecture in Astronomy brings a leading astronomer to campus for a free public talk, and physics students present their research at the Graduate School conference and regional and national meetings.
Physics majors are also competitive for national opportunities – from NSF Research Experiences for Undergraduates to Fulbright awards – and the department is home to the Society for Women in Physics and Astronomy as well as SPS.
“The program challenged me academically while also helping me grow as a researcher, engineer, and innovator.”
Support Services
Scholarships & Awards
The department awards several scholarships and prizes each year, based primarily on academic performance, participation in research and leadership in the Society of Physics Students or other UofL student organizations. Full criteria are posted in ScholarshipUniverse.
- Ouseph Scholarship – freshman and sophomore physics majors; approximately $2,000; one award per year
- Drautman Scholarship – sophomore and junior physics majors; approximately $3,000; one award per year
- Bullitt Scholarship – junior and senior physics majors; approximately $3,000; one award per year
- Bennett Award – graduating senior; approximately $500; one award per year
- Schwartz Award – MS and PhD students; $500 each; one MS and one PhD award per year
- Kielkopf Scholarship – graduate tuition scholarship for accelerated BS/MS students
See Scholarships & Funding for details, and College of Arts & Sciences scholarships for additional opportunities.
From Quantum Particles to Career Success
Ready to turn your passion for problem-solving and analytical thinking into professional impact? Explore Physics and Astronomy at the University of Louisville — where undergraduate research, NASA-funded faculty projects, and rigorous scientific training launch careers in research, engineering, data science, medicine, and beyond.