Discover Physics At Carnegie Mellon University

From probing the tiniest particles to mapping the vast structure of the cosmos, researchers in the Department of Physics are pushing the boundaries of what we know and how we know it.

The Ph.D. programs are consistently ranked among the top 20 in the National Research Council. U.S. News & World Report ranks Carnegie Mellon in the top 30 universities in the nation, and in the top 100 amongst universities worldwide, for undergraduate education. Carnegie Mellon is distinct in its interdisciplinary approach to research and education.

What sets us apart? A bold, interdisciplinary approach that blends physics with computer science, statistics and engineering to solve real-world problems.

The Department of Physics is embedded in the Mellon College of Science and an integral part of Carnegie Mellon University’s collaborative ecosystem. Our strengths in Condensed Matter/Nanophysics, Biological Physics and Astronomy and Cosmology reflect our commitment to solving complex problems through innovation and teamwork.

And it all happens in Pittsburgh — a city reborn as a hub of science, innovation and culture. Carnegie Mellon's main campus is three miles from downtown Pittsburgh, nestled between the Squirrel Hill, Shadyside, and Oakland neighborhoods. The city of Pittsburgh is vivacious and boasts to be America's Most Livable City. The second largest city in Pennsylvania, it is located at the confluence of three rivers: the Monongahela, the Allegheny, and the Ohio. While offering all the opportunities of a large metropolitan area, Pittsburgh has small-town friendliness and a lower cost of living than other major cities, such as Boston, Chicago, San Francisco or New York.