Our Mission
Who We Are
The Department of Physics and Optical Science is an academic community of faculty, staff and students dedicated to excellence in education, research, and service. The Department is guided by the pursuit of excellence in research and education, by a creative and collaborative approach, and by an awareness of the global context in which the Department exists. We mentor students as they engage with faculty in cutting-edge research that will shape the world of tomorrow.
We support the University, the Charlotte region, and the worldwide scientific community by sharing our knowledge and expertise. We also support the local K-12 community–and engage with the scientists of tomorrow – by partnering with the Charlotte Teacher’s Institute, mentoring teachers and high school students in laboratory research, and participating in many other outreach activities. Our award-winning faculty are widely recognized on campus and beyond through prestigious honors and recognitions received for teaching, research, student mentoring, professional service, and community engagement. Our dedicated, knowledgeable staff are critical to our mission as they provide outstanding support for all aspects of the Department’s work.
What We Believe
The Department of Physics and Optical Science is composed of professionals who adhere to and promote the highest standards of academic integrity, professionalism, and ethical conduct in the pursuit, creation, advancement and dissemination of scientific knowledge in the field of physics and optics. Accordingly, we:
- Are a community in which each individual will be considerate, open minded and take responsibility for their own actions.
- Maintain a professional, collegial, respectful, and inclusive community of faculty, staff, and students.
- Value high quality teaching and mentoring across all disciplines.
- Commit to shared faculty governance.
- Actively support UNC Charlotte’s Service and Outreach Missions.
- Enthusiastically embrace the diversity of our students, faculty, staff, communities, and beyond.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Goals
The Department of Physics and Optical Science strives to create an academic climate in which the dignity of all individuals is respected and maintained. We are committed to empowering individuals to explore and appreciate diversity that includes, but is not limited to: ability/disability, age, culture, ethnicity, gender, language, race, religion, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, weight/size and other attributes that may intersect to inform identity, which we recognize as being shaped both by individual historical experience as well as societal and organizational structures. We aim to create an inclusive community that is free from discrimination and harassment and that promotes critical thinking that addresses stereotypes and inequalities through conscious reflection of our identities, beliefs, values, and actions.