Outstanding Seniors in the College of Science: Colin Murphy

This fall, the College of Science recognized ten outstanding seniors for their contributions in and out of the classroom. Colin Murphy is this semester's recipient from Physics.

The College of Science caught up with Colin to learn more about his experiences at the University of Arizona and what is on the horizon after graduation.

Why did you choose to study Physics?

I have been interested in physics and learning about how the universe works for as long as I can remember. As an undergraduate, I have fallen in love with specifically experimental atomic, molecular, and optical physics, which aims to understand the building blocks of matter and how they interact with light. I enjoy all the different kinds of work necessary for experiments, like coding or constructing setups. I also find the questions this field tries to answer deeply fascinating, such as how do electrons in an ionized molecule behave right after ionization or what is dark matter. 

Tell us about a class or research project you really enjoyed.

One class I enjoyed was my first semester of quantum mechanics. A lot the research I had done so far was related to the topic, so it was nice to finally learn and practice it. Quantum systems behave so wildly different than the ones I had studied so far, so it was a challenging yet rewarding subject to learn. My professor, Dr. Milsom, was a great lecturer and the textbook was by far the most enjoyable physics textbook I have read. 

What is one specific memory from your time at UA that you’ll cherish forever?

During spring break of my sophomore year, my two roommates and myself decided last minute to go on a 4 day road trip hitting San Diego, LA, and Sedona. I love good food and nature, and this trip was pretty much all those things. I still reminisce on the fish tacos, sushi, and even campfire grilled cheeses.

What are you most proud of having accomplished in your time at UA?

I am most proud of the time I have spent helping students in introductory physics classes as a preceptor and Supplemental Instruction Leader. It has been really rewarding to share my passion and love of physics with others, especially those that struggle with it. Physics is a hard subject, and I have spent plenty of time frustrated with impossible-looking problems or beyond lost in a lecture, but that challenge is what makes eventually figuring it out so rewarding. The times I have been able to help another student not give up and succeed with their problem or class are easily the most valuable I have had. 

What is next for you after graduation?

Currently I am applying to Ph. D. programs for physics and will hopefully end up in one of them next fall. Eventually, I hope to become a professor so that I can spend the rest of my career learning, teaching, and researching physics.