Physics and Astronomy
Welcome to the Department of Physics and Astronomy at BGSU! Here we explore how the universe works – from the vastness of the cosmos to the nature of subatomic particles. We do that by studying the properties of matter and energy and the laws that govern them. It’s not surprising, then, that physics and astronomy have helped us to understand our place in space-time and led the way to new technologies. With society’s ever-increasing pace, the need for discovery accelerates the demand for trained physicists. Physicists and astronomers are exceptional problem solvers with skills that are in high demand in a wide range of scientific and engineering careers in industry, academia, and government.
Students actively participate with our faculty on cutting-edge scientific research in the fields of astrophysics, materials science, nano-science, solid-state physics, and computational physics. In addition, our Planetarium and Observatory offer opportunities for astronomy research, education, and community engagement activities. These experiences are crucial for developing the credentials that graduate programs and employers seek.
Events
For information on BGSU Planetarium shows open to the public, including dates, times, and titles please follow the link above. Planetarium Director Dr. Kate Dellenbusch and her staff offer rooftop observing at the BGSU Observatory after the evening shows, if the weather permits. You can learn more about this Stargaze program including days, times and other details at the Public Stargaze events page. In case you were wondering, Pudge loves Stargazing!
The photo below of Comet Lemmon was taken on October 20, 2025 by our graduate student Logan Good (MS'27). He used a William Optics ZenithStar 81 telescope and ZWO ASI071MC Pro camera to take 26 exposures at 30 seconds each (13 minutes exposure total), which he stacked into a deep, high-resolution image using Siril/Lightroom/Photoshop for processing.
Did you see the total solar eclipse in BG on April 8, 2024? Check out our Eclipse Memories webpage to relive the big day!
Is Physics for you?
News and Stories
Student Awards
Congratulations to our award-winning students from 2026!
Physics major Rose Fedan, shown above, was the first-ever recipient of the Lewis Fulcher Scholarship in recognition of her academic excellence and her study abroad in Europe.
OSGC Scholarships
BGSU master's students Gwyneth Luster and Steven Spiewak received internships from the Ohio Space Grant Consortium to support their work in astronomy with Dr. McNeill, while physics majors Matt Fyfe and Katie Douglas were awarded OSGC research scholarships. Applications for up to 7 new OSGC Scholarships in STEM at BGSU are available every March.
Faculty Changes
We are excited to welcome two new teaching faculty to Physics & Astronomy, and to say goodbye to another.
Dr. Glenn Tiede is retiring after 23 years of teaching couses like Modern Astronomy, Life in the Universe, and various Physics recitations; we wish him the best in his transition to Emeritus Teaching Professor.
Dr. Roshni Bano is a biophysicist and science/physics education researcher. She joins us from a postdoctoral research position at the University of Illinois at Chicago where she was the Coordinator for the NSF-funded QuBBE Quantum Academy for public school teachers, and Co-Facilitator for the NSF-funded LETS Science Professional Development Program supporting STEM teachers in linguistically diverse classrooms. Dr. Bano received a Ph.D. in Biophysics from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 2020, and a BS-MS Dual Degree in Physics and Biology from the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Pune. Beginning in August, Roshni will divide her time between teaching introductory Physics with us and critical thinking coures in the Honors College.
Nano-Technology Research
Dr. Sun’s research team is focused on advancing the understanding of two-dimensional lead sulfide nanocrystals, from the fundamentals of their synthesis to their applications in infrared lasers and light-emitting diodes—technologies essential for optical communication and sensing.
Among the team members, Thomas Judd, a recent recipient of the CURS award for his undergraduate work on the effect of ligands on the crystal lattice of colloidal nanosheets, has transitioned into graduate research. He is now exploring the use of machine learning algorithms to improve the synthesis methods of two-dimensional nanocrystals.
The group’s research builds on a strong history of collaboration with prestigious institutions, including Cambridge University, the University of Manchester, Argonne National Laboratory, and the Air Force Research Laboratory. These partnerships provide invaluable opportunities for both new and experienced team members, with many more collaborations anticipated in the future.
The work carried out by Dr. Sun’s group not only contributes to a deeper scientific understanding of these materials but also drives technological advancements. However, this progress would not be possible without a team of dedicated individuals who are equally passionate about solving the complex challenges that arise along the way.
First Light
Dr. McNeill and students Katie Douglas, Matt Fyfe, and Gwyneth Luster obtained the sequence of images above with the new Finger Lakes CMOS camera on the newly refurbished 20-inch telescope at BGSU. The small moving object above-left of center is the near-Earth asteroid 433 Eros, one of several objects McNeill's team will track in coming years.
Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the baccalaureate degree, students in Physics are expected to be able to:
- Demonstrate thorough conceptual understanding of the basic field of physics;
- Describe and manipulate fundamental physical constructs and solve problems with mathematics and computational methods;
- Use basic experimental apparatus common to the study of physical phenomena;
- Communicate scientific ideas effectively, both orally and in writing.
Accreditation and/or Program/Cluster Review
Bowling Green State University [BGSU] is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. BGSU has been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission since 01/01/1916. The most recent reaffirmation of accreditation was received in 2022 - 2023. Questions should be directed to the Office of Institutional Effectiveness.
The Physics program will undergo Program/Cluster Review during the Academic Year 2019-20.
Updated: 06/09/2026 01:23PM