Physics

University of California, Berkeley

Overview

Physics at UC Berkeley has long been at the forefront of discovery and achievement. In 1931, Ernest O. Lawrence invented the cyclotron at Berkeley, ushering in the era of high-energy physics and a tradition of achievement that continues today. Nine of Berkeley’s 22 Nobel Prizes were awarded to Berkeley physicists. The most recent National Research Council nationwide rankings identify the department as one of the best in the nation.

In the last 50 years, Berkeley physicists have made many of the significant discoveries that support today’s science. These discoveries extend from fundamental properties of elementary particles to spin echoes—the basis of magnetic resonance imaging to cutting-edge breakthroughs for building an accurate model of how the universe took shape following the monster explosion commonly known as the Big Bang. Today, faculty members are leading the way in scientific research and discovery in ways that may challenge the fundamental laws of physics particularly in the areas of gravitation, matter, and energy. At the same time, undergraduate and graduate teaching—through formal courses and research activity — is an integral part of the faculty’s commitment to the development of tomorrow’s scientists.

In their pursuit of original research, physics faculty members collaborate with postdoctoral fellows, Ph.D. graduate students, undergraduate students, and visiting scholars. Research opportunities include a wide range of topics in theoretical and experimental physics, astrophysics, atomic physics, molecular physics, biophysics, condensed matter, cosmic rays, elementary particles and fields, energy and resources, fusion and plasma, geochronology, general relativity, low-temperature physics, mathematical physics, nuclear physics, optical and laser spectroscopy, space physics, and statistical mechanics.

Undergraduate Programs

Physics: BA, Minor

Graduate Program

Physics: MA, PhD

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Courses

Physics

Contact Information

Department of Physics

366 Physics North #7300

Phone: 510-642-3316

Fax: 510-643-8497

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Department Chair

Professor Irfan Siddiqi

366 Physics North

Phone: 510-642-3316

physics_chair@berkeley.edu

Vice-Chair of Instruction

Professor Yury Kolomensky

366 Physics North

ygkolomensky@berkeley.edu

Director of Student Services

Claudia Trujillo

376 Physics North

Phone: 510-643-5261

claudiat@berkeley.edu

Lead Graduate Advisor

Ariana Castro

378 Physics North

Phone: 510-642-7524

arianapaniagua@berkeley.edu

Graduate Advisor

Marjani Jones

370 Physics North

Phone: (510) 642-0596

mjones4@berkeley.edu

Undergraduate Advisor

Kathleen Cooney

374 Physics North

Phone: 510-664-7557

kathleen.cooney@berkeley.edu

Undergraduate Advisor

Nitin Srivastava

368 Physics North

Phone: 510-642-0481

nitin.srivastava@berkeley.edu

Scheduler and BPIE Advisor

Isabella Mariano

372 Physics North

Phone: 510-664-5506

imariano01@berkeley.edu,

Visiting Student Program Coordinator

Alex Perry

372 Physics North

Phone: 510-664-5506

alexperry@berkeley.edu

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