Physics Updates

Physics - Now on LinkedIn

Join Our LinkedIn Page!

- Connect with fellow students, Physics alumni, and faculty!
- Learn about opportunities in the field!
- https://www.linkedin.com/company/university-of-arizona-department-of-physics/about/

Physics/Astrophysics Peer Mentorship Program

2026 4-Corners APS Meeting

The 2026 4-Corners APS meeting is coming soon: October 23-24, 2026 at New Mexico Tech Socorro, NM 87801

This is a great opportunity to start working on your professional network, get some speaking (poster) experience, and boost your CV, while also learning about exciting physics.

All meeting information is here: https://physics.nmt.edu/FourCorners2026/

Important dates:

Early registration: Sept. 22

Abstract submission: Sunday, September 25, 2026, at 5:00 pm EDT

The department will support students who have an abstract accepted and who will present at the conference. We will cover 1) student member early registration of $70 (deadline Sep 22, don't be late) if your advisor is unable to cover it, and 2) cover the transportation cost so long students carpool (about a 6 hours drive).

You may have noticed that department support for lodging is lacking. Ask your research advisor! Furthermore, there also is conference support for students announced on the meetings's website (https://physics.nmt.edu/FourCorners2026/), so please keep checking that, and apply if appropriate. Graduate student can also apply for a Fanfare award for support for this conference.

Finally, please email me when your abstract has been accepted so that the department is aware of your attendance (and possible need of support).

Koen

Koen Visscher, PhD

Assoc. Dept. Head

Assoc. Prof of Physics

Joint in Mol. & Cell. Biology; Bio5;

Optical Sciences; Applied Math.

Phone: 520-621-4276

E-mail: visscher@arizona.edu

Accelerated Masters Program in Semiconductor Science & Technology

The Department of Physics at the University of Arizona is proud to announce the launch of a new M.S. emphasis and a new accelerated master’s program (AMP) in Semiconductor Science and Technology. Developed under the support of the Center for Semiconductor Manufacturing, and in close collaboration with the Departments of Materials Science and Engineering (MSE) and Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE), these programs are designed to meet the growing demand for a highly skilled semiconductor workforce in Arizona and beyond.

The new M.S. emphasis in Semiconductor Science and Technology provides students with advanced training that bridges fundamental physics and practical semiconductor engineering. Graduates will be well prepared to pursue careers directly in the semiconductor industry or to continue their studies toward a Ph.D. in Physics, ECE, or MSE.

The Accelerated Master’s Program (AMP) offers highly motivated undergraduates an integrated 4+1 pathway to earn both a Bachelor’s degree and a Master of Science in Physics within five years. Qualified students may begin taking graduate-level (500+) courses during their senior year, with up to 12 units of coursework double-counted toward both degrees. The program ensures a seamless transition from undergraduate to graduate study, equipping students for advanced roles in semiconductor technology, quantum materials, applied physics, and other interdisciplinary fields.

A unique feature of these programs is the hands-on training students will receive in the newly established Future Advanced Semiconductor Technology Laboratory (FASTLab). Here, students gain extensive experience with semiconductor manufacturing and characterization, including vacuum technology, thin-film deposition, photolithography, and etching. In addition, they will explore emerging post-CMOS frontiers, such as high-mobility two-dimensional materials, energy-efficient nonvolatile memories, and solid-state quantum computing devices.

Together, these new programs reinforce the University of Arizona’s leadership in semiconductor education and research—preparing the next generation of physicists and engineers to drive innovation in America’s rapidly expanding semiconductor ecosystem.

Please spread the word about our new program to whoever might be interested. We will hold an information session for these two new program very soon — so watch out for the announcements. And don’t forget to check out the FASTLab!

The Physics Wildcast

Podcast - Hosted by Penny Duran

The “Physics Wildcast” is an Honors Thesis Project aimed at making physics research engaging for both experts and general audiences. It will feature interviews with faculty members from the University of Arizona’s Physics Department about their experimental research. A key goal of the project is to explore effective ways of communicating physics and sparking public interest by highlighting the unique journeys of different researchers. Penny brings relevant experience in podcast production from co-creating the German-language podcast “Courage – We’re Still Dreaming,” which won second place for the Frankfurt School Prize from the Anne Frank Educational Center in 2022. She handles all of the studio recording, audio editing, episode planning and logo design.

The first episode features Prof. Koen Visscher, where he delves into his background in biophysics and shares his perspectives on biophysics applications, physics teaching, and his time at a start-up company. The second episode has been scheduled and will feature Prof. Rachel Hyneman.

Check it out on Spotify!

Link: The Physics Wildcast

Physics Club

Meetings - Fall 2026 Meetings - Mondays at 5 PM in PAS 220

Meetings will typically run for an hour and will usually have various presentations from our members on a wide variety of topics related to physics. Aside from weekly presentations, there will be game nights, physics demos, professor talks, and if we're lucky, t-shirts and a trip at some point during the semester. All are welcome, regardless of major, and attendance is not required every week.

IMPORTANT UPDATES:

Our meetings will be held every Monday at 5 PM in PAS 220. This week and this week only we will not only have our usual free Oreos, but we will also have FREE PIZZA (brought to you by Lil' C's). We will have an exciting demo today for you all.

In addition, this Thursday at 4:30 PM, we will be holding a Physics Club social at Snakes and Lattes on University Blvd. Snakes and Lattes is a Board Game Cafe with lots of options to choose from. We hope to see you there!!!

There will be no meeting next week due to Labor Day, but we will meet on September 14th, at 5 PM in PAS 220 for our second meeting.

LINKS AND INFO:

MEETING TODAY (5pm, PAS 220)
Links to sign up to present: This Week in Physics, Open Segment
Join the phys/astro discord (academic resources + meet people in your major)
Our instagram is @arizonaphysicsclub (We HAVE to beat the department's follower count!!!)

Physicists for Inclusion and Equity (PIE)

Weekly Meetings - Fall 2026 Meetings - Mondays at 2 PM in PAS 236

https://arizona.zoom.us/j/86168716731

On behalf of Physicists for Inclusion & Equity (PIE), we'd like to give a warm (Tucson) welcome to the incoming cohorts of grads and undergrads, and say welcome back to everyone else! For all our lovely new folks, PIE is a student-led club that serves as a forum for underrepresented groups and gender minorities in the physics community. We aim to promote an inclusive and respectful atmosphere in the department (and beyond) through physics education and outreach events. If you'd like to get involved with us, please add yourself to our email chain and/or hop on our Discord server!

Aside from weekly meetings, here's a peek at some events we have in store for the semester (more details will be relayed through the PIE email chain + Discord):

Cultural Events: Learn about traditions, history, and food from fellow physicists!
Pizza & Profs: Eat some 'za and get to know different physics faculty members.
Yap About Physics (YAP): A physics journal club geared toward undergrads!
Slice of Pie: Learn about your colleagues' nerdy (not-necessarily-physics) interests! (Contact one of our officers if you have a special interest to share and we'll put you on the schedule.)
Oodles of outreach opportunities: Volunteer at various physics-education events for K-12 students and members of the public!

Discord: https://discord.gg/k3ye3CRrB

Physics Consultation Room (Tutoring)

- Consultation hours are available for undergraduate students who would like help in problem-solving or understanding physics concepts for their courses. TAs are available Monday through Friday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm in PAS 372. The schedule can be found on the door for your convenience. If you need more assistance, please see the list of paid tutors below. They will be able to provide you with one-on-one assistance.
- List of paid tutors: https://w3.physics.arizona.edu/tutoring

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