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50 Years
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BYU Physics & Astronomy Today

Recent Accomplishments

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BYU Acoustics Research teams up with NASA

NASA recently launched its new Space Launch System as part of its new Artemis I exploration project. The BYU Acoustics Research team was invited to attend the launch and gather acoustical data on the sound waves emitted from the launching system. The data is going to be used to explore the impact the powerful sound waves may be having on the atmosphere, environment, and urban areas near the launch site.
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Physics REU Program growing

The Physics Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) is a summer program where students from different American schools have the chance to visit other participating universities and conduct research. The program is funded by the National Science Foundation and had his 16 schools participate this year, BYU being one of them. In addition to the annual program, BYU hosted the Fletcher Internship Research (FRI) program. They had 4 other school participate in the internship.
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BYU chapter of the Society of Physics Students selected as "Outstanding Chapter"

The Society of Physics Students gave the BYU chapter high praise by awarding them with "Outstanding Chapter" this year for our national zone. In addition to the award, the BYU chapter was gifted a Marsh W. White Outreach Grant for 2023.
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BYU is in the top 0.1% of institutions in the nation for graduating physics education majors.

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BYU Women in Physics Students attend CUWiP Conference

This year, 20 students and two staff members from Brigham Young University’s Department of Physics and Astronomy traveled to Santa Cruz, CA for a Conference for Undergraduate Women in Physics (CUWiP). Women in physics from all over the country come to participate in a professional conference experience, receive information on graduate school and careers, and to connect with other women in physics. Five of our BYU students were presenters, and two of these presenters won prizes for exceptional methodology and visuals.
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Professor Mark Transtrum was named the first Edward and Betty Seppi Chair

Named after successful physicist and BYU alumni Edward J. Seppi and his wife, the Edward and Betty Seppi Chair is a new research grant awarded each year by the College of Physical and Mathematical Sciences. This year, Associate Physics Professor Mark Transtrum was given the award to further his acoustical research.
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Duane Merrell elected as President of the American Association of Physics Teachers

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PhD student discovers the origin of planet Haumea

Haumea is a dwarf planet located in the Kuiper belt, and it has puzzled astronomers for over 15 years. It is one of the fastest spinning objects in the solar system and, because of this, has a unique shape closer to a football than a typical spherical planet shape. In his research of the planet, BYU PhD student Benjamin Proudfoot has discovered the origin of the Haumea. He says that the key to his findings was looking at the origin of the planet in the context of the origin of the solar system.
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Current Enrollments

305 Undergraduates

28 Master's Students

32 PhD Students

Degrees Offered

BS Physics

BS Applied Physics

BS Physics & Astronomy

BS Physics Education

MS Physics

PhD Physics

PhD Physics & Astronomy

Research Areas

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Acoustics

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Astronomy

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Atomic, Molecular, Optical

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Biological Physics

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Material Physics

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Laser Science

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Science Education

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Theoretical and Mathematical Physics

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Current Chair

Dr. Kent Gee

Kent L. Gee, professor of physics and chair of the Department of Physics and Astronomy, joined the faculty at Brigham Young University after completing his PhD in acoustics at Penn State in 2005. His primary research emphasis is the characterization of high-amplitude noise sources and fields through data analysis and imaging methods, and he has published 100+ articles and proceedings papers in these areas. He heads the Physics and Aerospace Student-Centered Acoustics Laboratory (PASCAL) research group.

Recent Retirees

Dr. Tim Leishman

Tim Leishman joined the BYU physics faculty as a professor and researcher in 2000. In his time at BYU, he enjoyed sharing his experience and enthusiasm for audio and acoustics with his students.

For more information about the Physics & Astronomy department and additional resources, visit their department website!

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