Growing Interest in Astronomy at Baylor Spurs Department Name Change
Baylor's newly renamed Department of Physics and Astronomy reflects a growing interest in space-related instruction and research among students and faculty

Baylor astronomers are welcoming more interest in space-related topics, both on and off campus -- including the chance to interact with numerous visitors to Waco during a total solar eclipse in April 2024. (Robert Rogers/Baylor University)
The former Department of Physics in the Baylor University College of Arts & Sciences has a new name that better reflects the growing interest in space-related topics among both faculty and students.

The name of the new Department of Physics and Astronomy went into effect on June 1, 2024, after approval by Baylor Provost Nancy Brickhouse. Dr. Lorin Swint Matthews, chair and professor of physics and astronomy, said they requested the revised name to reflect changes that have occurred in the department over the past two decades.
“When you look at our students in the department, fully half of them are majoring in either astronomy or astrophysics, while the other half are majoring in physics,” Matthews said. “We also compared our program to those at peer institutions and found that at Baylor we had more astronomy classes and research activity along that line than many other colleges and universities which had astronomy included in the name of their physics department.”
Accurate messaging
Matthews said that the new department name gives students considering attending Baylor a better idea of what the department is all about.
“This is an aid to recruiting, so that when potential new students visit our website, they know immediately that we have both physics and astronomy well-represented within the department,” she said.
Matthews said that in the early 2000s, the astronomy course became the most highly attended course in the department –– replacing “Packard Physics,” taught by Dr. Robert G. Packard, which had been the most popular physics course taken by non-science majors before Packard’s retirement.
Before the decade’s end, Baylor went on to add upper-level astronomy courses and approved new majors in both astronomy and astrophysics, with undergraduate students able to earn either a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science degree in each discipline. Students may now also earn secondary majors or minors in both astronomy and astrophysics.
Faculty research emphasis
Six faculty members –– about a third of the department’s full roster –– are now involved in some sort of space-related research. Matthews, the first Baylor faculty member appointed as a Fellow of the American Physical Society, is recognized for her research in dusty plasma, which is important in studying the formation of planets and fusion energy.
Dr. Truell Hyde, professor of physics and astronomy, serves as director of Baylor’s Center for Astrophysics, Space Physics and Engineering Research (CASPER) and directs both the Hypervelocity Impacts and Dusty Plasma Lab and the Space Science Lab within the department. Dr Anzhong Wang, professor of physics and astronomy, conducts research that centers on classical and quantum theories of gravity and their applications to astrophysics and cosmology.
Dr. Gerald Cleaver, professor of physics and astronomy, has primary research interests that include string/M Theory, wormholes and warped spacetimes, quantum gravity and early universe cosmology.
The two newest faculty members in the department whose research is space-based are Dr. Barbara Castanheira and Dr. Benjamin Rose, both assistant professors. Castanheira’s research involves stellar evolution focused on white dwarf stars, and she played an important role helping the department educate the public about the total solar eclipse that brought thousands to Waco in April 2024.
Rose’s research centers on supernovas. Most recently, he was appointed a co-principal investigator on the research team that has earned funding to investigate infrastructure solutions for the Nancy Grace Roman Telescope –– NASA’s next large flagship mission due to launch by 2027.
Reaching out
Matthews said that faculty and students within the department also prioritize community outreach and education projects. During the past year, students have given demonstrations of both physics and astronomy at events such as Teen Takeover at the Mayborn Museum as well as Science Fest, a part of the Waco Cultural Arts Fest. Students also do scientific demonstrations at local high schools and middle schools throughout each year.
Baylor students are also able to become members of the department’s Astronomy Club, which is popular with students across campus. More than 100 students joined the club within its first year of receiving a charter in 2022. The Astronomy Club organizes stargazing sessions each semester as well as social and educational events.
ABOUT THE COLLEGE OF ARTS & SCIENCES AT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY
The College of Arts & Sciences is Baylor University’s largest academic division, consisting of 25 academic departments in the sciences, humanities, fine arts and social sciences, as well as 11 academic centers and institutes. The more than 5,000 courses taught in the College span topics from art and theatre to religion, philosophy, sociology and the natural sciences. The College’s undergraduate Unified Core Curriculum, which routinely receives top grades in national assessments, emphasizes a liberal education characterized by critical thinking, communication, civic engagement and Christian commitment. Arts & Sciences faculty conduct research around the world, and research on the undergraduate and graduate level is prevalent throughout all disciplines. Visit the College of Arts & Sciences website.