Physics and Earth Sciences

A. A. Antar, Chair; C. Baskerville, M. Bednarski, M. Evans, H. Hiesinger, K. Larsen, P. LeMaire, S. B. Newman, N. Sadanand, N. C. P. Sharma, L. Tongson (Dept. phone 832-2930)

 

Located in Copernicus Hall, the facilities of the Physics and Earth Sciences Department include numerous introductory and intermediate/advanced laboratories as well as two teaching laboratories, an observatory containing a 16-inch telescope, a 100-seat planetarium, a 400-kv Van de Graaff linear accelerator, an ion implanter and a fully-equipped weather center which includes a National Weather Service Digital Computer Facsimile System, a rooftop satellite data retrieval system and a fully operational color weather radar monitoring system.

In addition to teaching, the faculty pursues many areas of interest, including atomic collisions; ground water pollution; public planetarium productions; lunar, planetary and deep sky observing; weather forecasting and analysis; prediction of thunderstorm activity in Connecticut; science education; particle physics; solid state physics; applied holography and general relativity.

Wherever possible, students enrolled in the programs listed below are encouraged to join with the faculty in ongoing studies in these and other areas.

Credit is not given toward a major or minor in this department for PHYS 111, 113, or ESCI 110, 111, 117 or 118.

The department plans to offer a B.S. degree in Digital and Optical Science upon completion of the approval processes for the Connecticut Department of Higher Education and the Board of Governors. Once approved, this program will be listed on the department website at www.physics.ccsu.edu and on the undergraduate application. Students interested in pursuing this degree should contact the department.

Major in Physics, B.S. (non-teaching)

39 credits in Physics, including:  PHYS 125, 126, 220, 250, 305, 320, 325, 331, 350, 425, 450, 460, 470 and 471. In addition, the student must take CHEM 121 and 122 and MATH 152, 221 and 222. Completion of a minor is required, and for students planning graduate work a year of French, German or Russian should be taken.

Major in Earth Sciences, B.S. (non-teaching)

30 credits in the Earth Sciences are required, including ESCI 121, 122, 129, 178 or 179, and 460. The remaining 13 credits of Earth Science shall be elected from the following: ESCI 218, 221, 222, 278, 330, 421, 424, 430, 431, 442, 450, 462 or GEOG 374.

In addition, CHEM 121, 122; PHYS 121, 122; and MATH 152, 221 are required.

Note: A minor is not required except for those in the general (i.e., non-specific track) program. 

Note: A year of French, German or Russian is recommended if graduate study is being contemplated.

Major in Physics, B.S. (Certifiable for secondary teaching)

33 credits in Physics: PHYS 125, 126, 220, 250, 305, 320, 331, 350, 325, 425, 450 and 470. In addition, the student must take BIO 121; CHEM 121 and 122; EDTE 315; EDF 415; SPED 315; EDSC 425, 435; RDG 440; SCI 416, 417, 419; MATH 152, 221 and 222.

Minor in Physics (Certifiable for secondary teaching) Subject to change.

18 credits in Physics, including: PHYS 125, 126, 220 and 250, and 6 credits of Physics electives. In addition, a student must take CHEM 121 and 122, MATH 152, 221, 222 and SCI 417.

Major in Earth Sciences, B.S. (Certifiable for secondary teaching)

30 credits in Earth Sciences, including ESCI 121, 122, 129, 178 or 179, 430, and other electives as approved by faculty advisor. In addition, the student must take CHEM 121, 122; PHYS 121, 122; BIO 121, 122; EDTE 316; EDF 415; SPED 315; EDSC 425, 435; RDG 440; SCI 416, 417, 419; and MATH 152, 221.

Minor in Earth Sciences (Certifiable for secondary teaching) Subject to change.

20 credits in Earth Sciences, including ESCI 121, 122, 129, 178 or 179, and other electives as approved by faculty advisor. In addition, a student must take SCI 416, 417, 419; MATH 152, 221; and PHYS 121, 122.

Major in General Science with Specialization in Earth Sciences, B.S.

(Acceptable for certification in elementary education) 

39–42 credits. For course listing, see major in General Science, page 66.

Minor in Physics

18 credits in Physics, including:  PHYS 125, 126 and 220.  The remaining Physics courses will be selected after consultation with the student’s Physics Department advisor.  In addition, the student must take MATH 152, 221 and 222.

Minor in Meteorology

21 credits in Earth Sciences and related fields including: ESCI 129, 431, 461 and 462. The remaining 7 credits will be chosen from ESCI 430, 442, GEOG 374. In addition, the student must take MATH 152, 221.

Minor in Geology

18 credits in Earth Sciences, including: ESCI 121, 122, 221, 222 and one course from ESCI 421, 424 and 450.

Minor in Astronomy

18 credits in Astronomy and related fields, including ESCI 178, 179, 278 and 330. The remaining course will be selected from PHYS 220, 325 or 425 after consultation with an Earth Sciences Department advisor. In addition, the student must take MATH 152, 221 and PHYS 121, 122.

For certification in elementary education, Complementary Subject Matter Area in Earth Sciences:

18–19 credits, as follows: ESCI 121, 129, 178 as core courses. A minimum of six credits from the following electives: ESCI 122 or 179 or 222 or 278 or 424. Other electives as approved by advisor. Please consult with the School of Education and Professional Studies concerning additional requirements for dual subject programs and interdisciplinary majors.