Exploring the Unknown
Explore biophysics, condensed matter and materials physics, and astrophysics through innovative coursework, collaborative projects, and faculty-led research.
OUR DEGREES
Curriculum that fits your passion.
Physics
Study light, radiation, thermodynamics, mechanics, energy, and the universe!
Apply your knowledge in studying cosmology, biological systems, polymer and material sciences, and engineering.
EXPLORE:
Biophysics
Apply physics ideas and knowledge to biological systems.
Study macromolecules, cells, tissues, and their interactions to gain a better understanding of biological processes from a physics perspective.
EXPLORE:
OUR STRENGTHS
Why Physics at Wake Forest?
Mentorship & support from day one
Students work closely with faculty in classes and research groups, with opportunities to begin research early in their programs.
Research across physics
Our faculty and students study living systems, materials, black holes, and gravitational waves through research in biophysics, condensed matter and materials physics, and astrophysics.
Where our graduates go
Wake Physics graduates build careers in data science, engineering, finance, research and development, and continue to graduate and professional schools.
Where Physics Deacs Go
Our graduates work in industry, government, national laboratories, and universities, and pursue advanced degrees in physics and related fields.
SPOTLIGHTS
Hear from Physics Alumni
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Alumni Spotlight – Jill Bjerke
In the following interview with Professor Paul Anderson, Jill shares the story of her career path…
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Alumni Spotlight – Peter Groves
Dr. Peter Groves graduated from the Wake Forest Ph.D. program in 2003 and now works as…
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Alumni Spotlight – Laura Jennings
Laura Jennings graduated from Wake Forest in 2018 and now works in Fiber Optics for a…
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Alumni Spotlight – Peter Diemer
Dr. Peter Diemer graduated from the Wake Forest Ph.D. program in 2016 and now works as…
Events
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September 9, 2026 | 12:00pm
Olin Physical Laboratory -
September 15, 2026 | 4:00pm
Olin Physical Laboratory
Physics Colloquium
Most Thursdays during the semester, students and faculty gather to hear visiting researchers discuss their latest work and the methods behind it.
News
- Taylor Ordines to speak at Physics Colloquium on September 10
Wake Forest alumnus Taylor Ordines of Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory will discuss interacting decision makers on September 10 at 4 p.m. in Olin 101. A reception begins at 3:30 p.m. in the Olin lobby. - Physics Colloquium: Martin Seifrid on Data-Driven Organic Materials
NC State professor Martin Seifrid will discuss self-driving laboratories for organic mixed ionic-electronic conductors at the Physics Colloquium on Thursday, September 3. - FYS 100 Visits Wake Forest’s High-Performance Computing Center
FYS 100 students visited Wake Forest’s HPC touchdown space and data center to connect AlphaFold and molecular modeling with the machines that run large calculations.