The Department of Physics at South Dakota Mines combines hands-on learning with cutting-edge research opportunities in one of the most dynamic scientific environments in the region. Our
students benefit from close faculty mentorship, small class sizes, and access to nationally
recognized research facilities.
Located near the Sanford Underground Research Facility — the nation’s leading site for underground particle physics experiments — the department
offers unparalleled opportunities to contribute to projects such as DUNE, LZ, and CASPAR. Alongside historic strengths in condensed matter and atmospheric science, our programs
emphasize research, innovation, and real-world application. With award-winning student
organizations, strong graduate placement rates, and a collaborative culture, the Department
of Physics at Mines provides a foundation for success in both academia and industry.
The Department of Physics at South Dakota Mines offers an engaging, research-driven
education that combines hands-on learning with opportunities to work alongside faculty
on groundbreaking experiments in particle, atmospheric, and condensed matter physics.
Physics students at Mines benefit from small class sizes, accessible faculty, and
early research involvement. The program emphasizes problem-solving, critical thinking,
and technical skills that prepare graduates for careers in engineering, research,
and advanced study.
Students have unique access to the nearby Sanford Underground Research Facility—home
to major experiments like DUNE, LZ, and CASPAR—along with projects in atmospheric
science, materials physics, and applied research that connect theory to real-world
discovery.
Research Labs and Centers
Work with our renowned faculty and collaborate on groundbreaking projects that address
real-world challenges. The hands-on experience and expertise you will acquire at South
Dakota Mines will not only contribute to your academic growth but also prepare you
for successful careers in academia, industry, or government agencies.
Astroparticle Physics with IceCube
IceCube, the largest neutrino observatory at the South Pole, allows scientists from
South Dakota Mines and around the world to study high-energy neutrinos from extreme
cosmic events, cosmic rays, dark matter, and other phenomena, thereby advancing the
field of multi-messenger astronomy.
Condensed Matter
Mines faculty are active in the computational condensed matter physics of quantum
materials, including functional oxides, intermetallic alloys, and two-dimensional
Van der Waals materials, as well as in investigations of ferroelectric, magnetic,
and magnetoelectric materials.
Dark Matter
Astrophysical observations suggest that most of the universe's mass is "dark" – composed
of particles yet to be directly detected. Mines faculty are highly engaged in the
search for such matter through collaborative experiments that seek out signals from
our unseen universe.
Neutrino Physics
Researchers at South Dakota Mines are advancing our understanding of neutrinos through
their involvement in four major international experiments – DUNE, MicroBooNE, ANNIE,
and T2K – pioneering groundbreaking studies on neutrino properties, interactions,
and astrophysical phenomena.
Nuclear Astrophysics
Nuclear astrophysics explores the processes driving stellar burning, nucleosynthesis,
and the chemical evolution of the universe. Mines research in this area centers on
low-temperature stellar environments and CASPAR, a groundbreaking experiment at the
Sanford Underground Research Facility.
Contact Us
General Information
Mailing Address: Physics South Dakota School of Mines & Technology 501 East Saint Joseph Street Rapid City, SD 57701
