Join us for Earth Week on April 20 and 22

Department of Physics and Materials Science

Earth Week events:

At the Sun - Memphis Voyage Solar System

We will simulate light from the Sun moving out into the Solar System with a speed of light robot! 
Thursday, April 20 at 1:00 pm -2:00 pm and 
Saturday, April 22 at 10:00 am - noon

Click here for more information.

Other Earth Week Events at University of Memphis:

Earth Sciences Earth Day event
Friday, April 21, noon to 3 p.m. in Johnson Hall. 
Earthquake shake table will be room 116.
https://www.memphis.edu/earthsciences/contact.php

TIGUrS Earth Day in the Garden
Thursday, April 20, 10:00 am-2:00 pm

Catalyst for innovative research in Physics and Materials Science, Education, and Training

Our Mission

Our mission is to advance scientific knowledge and innovation while at the same time educating the next generation of talented scientists. Our dedicated faculty supports this mission with cutting-edge research, unique programs, and a supportive learning environment.

Physics Summer Camp for High School Students in June 2023

We are pleased to announce the 2023 On-Campus Physics Summer Camp, which will be held in Manning Hall from June 12 to June 16. This program will provide opportunities for high school students to learn about astronomy, space science, optics, and physics as it applies to biology and materials among other topics.  The virtual camp is open to high school juniors and seniors as of Fall 2023. For more information, please see the attached flyer and register here. 

REGISTER HERE!

Grand Opening of the Memphis Voyage Solar System Model

The Grand Opening of the UofM Voyager Scale Model of Solar System will coincide with the this year's Lois McGlothlin Donaldson Endowed Lecture in Physics (see below).  Dr. Jeff Bennett conceived the idea of the 10 billion to 1 solar system model and supported the UofM Department of Physics and Materials Science in bringing this representation of the Solar System to the UofM Campus.

"Pathway to a Post Global Warming Future" is the 2023 Lois McGlothlin Donaldson Endowed Lecture in Physics, delivered by Dr. Jeffrey Bennett

The Department of Physics and Materials Science is pleased to announce upcoming events on our campus.  Dr. Jeff Bennett will deliver the 7th Annual Lois McGlothlin Donaldson Endowed Lecture in Physics on Friday, March 24, 2023.  s. For more information, please see the flyer below, as well as the page of the 2023 Lois McGlothlin Endowed Lecture in Physics.

Updated news and Another Alumni Spotlight

Please visit our Departmental News page for updates in what has recently happened in our Department.

We are featuring another UofM Physics Alumnus — Marlon Ridley (pictured at left) — is featured.  He earned a Master's degree in Physics in 2008.  He then started his career in the medical device field and later transitioned into management consulting. During his time at the University of Memphis, he had the opportunity to work at the Biomaterials lab under Dr. Muhammad Shah Jahan.  Mr. Ridley currently lives in the Washington DC area with his family. He currently works at Microsoft as an Account Manager and continues community service work through his fraternity Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.

For more information abou this experiences as a student at the UofM and his career path, please read his Alumni Spotlight.

Remembering Emeritus Professor Dr. Narahari Achar, Friday, April 22, at 3 p.m. in the Manning 201

It grieves us to announce that Professor Emeritus Narahari Achar passed away on 23 April 2021. Dr. Narahari Achar joined the Physics faculty at the University of Memphis in 1984. He had a broad research interests ranging from topics in the electric properties of materials to applied fractional calculus to ancient astronomy and published prolifically in these areas. His wise, encouraging words and affable demeanor benefited his colleagues and students at the University of Memphis. He is greatly missed.

There will be a memorial for Dr. Achar on April 22, 2022 at 3:00 p.m. in the Manning Hall Auditorium (Manning Hall Room 201). For those unable to attend in person, please register and attend via Zoom. Clicking on the flyer to the left will permit the download of a pdf version of the memorial announcement.   

Preparation for Physics on the MCAT

 The Department of Physics and Materials Science is pleased to announce that we are offering Physics for MCAT. Registrations are due by APRIL 30. For more information and to register, click here.

Recognizing the Dedication and Contributions of Physics Faculty Members–Dr. Samuel Mensah

In this interview, Dr. Samuel Mensah shares how he became interested in Physics, what brought him to the University of Memphis, as well as some tips for student success and some of his vision for the Department of Physics and Materials Science at the University of Memphis.  The Physics Department enjoys the perspectives that the faculty members possess, since they come from various parts of world, representing many traditions and experiences, which are all united in the passion for Physics and student success.

News and Highlights

Follow the Department of Physics and Materials Science faculty and students in their research, presentations, travels and accomplishments.  Read More