The mission of the Department of Physics at UMBC is based on three pillars: education, research and service to society. We strive to provide outstanding educational opportunities, through instruction and research, for undergraduate physics majors seeking preparation for graduate school or entry into the workforce. We also aim to train graduate students to be leaders in their field of research. Our research goal is to grow and sustain internationally recognized research groups in atmospheric physics, astrophysics, condensed matter physics and quantum optics and information science. Through our teaching of physics to non-science and non-physics majors and through our Physics for Secondary Education Teachers program, we provide professional service to the university community and the State.