Department of Physics

Department of Physics

The Department of Physics offers students the opportunity to pursue some of nature’s deepest secrets. 

Physics students discover the structures and interactions that constitute the Universe, from the smallest components inside atoms to the largest galaxies, and from living cells to new materials. The University of Richmond physics department is committed to developing a diverse student body and an inclusive community of learners. As a member of the physics department, students can take part in exciting coursework and unparalleled opportunities for research and experiential learning that reinforce the material they are learning in the classroom. This dual emphasis on classical learning and research is what makes University of Richmond physics majors so successful after graduation.

Majors & MinorCoursesCutting Edge Research

Deconstruction-Night-2024

Deconstruction Night a Smashing Success

Physics students took time to relax eat, pizza, and tear into the inner workings of electronics equipment around them at the Society of Physics Students semi-annual deconstruction night. Students explored the TVs, computers, particle detectors, lasers, and more.

Eric Neuhaus, a senior Physics major, shared that his favorite part of Deconstruction Night “was seeing so many students, professors, and families come together to explore the inner workings of old electronics. It was exciting to see everyone engage hands-on with physics concepts in a fun and collaborative way. I am especially appreciative of how events like this spark curiosity and bring people closer to physics!"

David-Hoffman

Radiation Oncology & Medical Physics

An insight into the clinical tools made possible by radiation physics

Please join the Department of Physics as they host David Hoffman, University of Richmond Alum and Assistant Professor at UC San Diego for his talk on Radiation Oncology & Medical Physics.  Dr. Hoffman has experience implementing conventional external beam breast treatment strategies, and novel approaches, including deep inspiration breath hold for VMAT and electron beam therapy.  Dr. Hoffman also has experience implementing optical surface tracking technology, to improved accuracy and reproducibility during breast and other treatments. Additionally, he currently oversees the intra-operative radiation therapy (IORT) program for partial breast treatment during surgery at Tri-City Medical Center. His talk will be in Gottwald Center for the Sciences Room D209 on Wednesday, October 2, 2024 from 4:30 - 5:30 p.m.

Dr. Dias students

UR Students Travel to Virginia Academy of Science Meeting

Seven students representing the University of Richmond physics department attended the annual meeting of the Virginia Academy of Sciences. The conference included research talks and posters presentations representing research taking place throughout the state of Virginia. Dr. Dias and Dr. Helms research groups attended and presented work at the meeting.

This regional meeting offers a great opportunity for students to present their research and receive feedback before presenting at a larger national conference. Such as American Physical Society or American Astronomical Society where Richmond student regularly present.

A list of recent conference presentations can be found here

C Gyure

UR Physics Majors Present Research at AAS Conference

In January, University of Richmond students Christine Gyure, Mariona Giner Mascarell, and Vikhyat Agarwal participated in the 234th meeting of the American Astronomical Society (AAS) that was held in St. Louis, Missouri.

The AAS is the major organization of professional astronomers in North America. Its mission is to enhance and share humanity’s scientific understanding of the universe as a diverse and inclusive astronomical community. Students from Dr. Ted Bunn’s and Dr. Jack Singal’s research groups presented work.

Students regularly present work are regional and national conferences more information can be found here

 

Science of Sports: How do you perform the perfect dive?

Christine Helms, associate professor of physics, unpacks the perfect dive using science as demonstrated by diver Sally Harrington, '26.

Science of Sports: How do you throw the perfect spiral?

In less than two minutes, you can learn how to throw the perfect spiral with associate professor of physics Christine Helms and quarterback Kyle Wickersham.

Physics Major Paige Delsa Finds Power in Physics & the Gym

In this behind-the-scenes video, physics major Paige Delsa, ’25, speaks to what she loves about her Richmond experience, emphasizing the liberal arts approach that enables her to explore and grow in all her interests. 

Paige highlights her physics research saying, “I was really curious what I could do with experimental physics 'cause that wasn’t a space that I had really learned about before. I’ve been doing it for two years now [and] we’re in the process of writing a paper…. I’ve really enjoyed working with Dr. Dias in this lab on such a cool project.”

The Universe: All the Light We Cannot See

Professor Singal Presents at TEDx Event

In this Ted Talk, Dr. Jack Singal says the beauty of our universe is largely unobservable to the naked eye. To understand what is happening, we need to harness all the light we cannot see. Dr. Singal shows us how utilizing wavelengths from radio to gamma-rays will change how we see the universe.

The Science Of Sports
The perfect free throw shot
In the first in a video series on the Science of Sports, physics professor Christine Helms explains how to shoot a better free throw, featuring Spider basketball star Andre Gustavson.
deep space
July 26, 2022
RESEARCH & INNOVATION
More than meets the eye

UR physics professor Jack Singal explains what we’re seeing in stunning new images from the James Webb Space Telescope.

Upcoming Physics Events

Faculty Highlights

Dr. Christine C. Helms
Helms Published

Christine Helms, associate professor of physics, published “Variability in individual native fibrin fibers mechanics” in Physical Biology.

View Bio
Dr. Ovidiu Lipan
Lipan Published

Ovidiu Lipan, associate professor of physics, published "Optimizing bi-layered periodic structures: a closed-form transfer matrix method based on Pendry-MacKinnon’s discrete Maxwell’s equations" in the  Journal of the Optical Society of America B.

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Dr. Emory (Ted) F. Bunn
Bunn & Undergraduate Student Published

Ted Bunn, E. Claiborne Robins Distinguished Chair in the Liberal Arts and professor of physics, published “Cosmological inflation in N-dimensional Gaussian random fields with algorithmic data compression” with Conner Painter, ’21, in The Open Journal of Astrophysics.

View Bio

Contact Information

Mailing address:
Department of Physics
Gottwald Center for the Sciences
138 UR Drive
University of Richmond, VA 23173

Phone:
(804) 289-8252
Fax: (804) 484-1542

Academic Administrative Manager: Susan Wolski
Chair: Christine Helms