Physics Brochure

ASU at a glance...

you are progressing along the lines dictated by your future interests in physics.

More than 60 programs of study leading to associate, bachelor, master, specialist, and cooperative doctoral degrees.

Scholarships & Assistantships

Academics

Special Programs

Honors Program, co-op programs, internships, studyabroad programs, Certificates in European Studies and Latin American Studies, programs with Mid-Sweden University and the University of Muenster (Germany).

Faculty and Staff

Over 200 full-time faculty. All classes are taught by professors, not teaching assistants. Full-time staff, approximately 300.

Student-Faculty Ratio

Most upper-level classes are small, which allow students to work closely with faculty on research and other scholarly pursuits.

Students

A diverse student body of more than 6,600 represents nearly every state and about 60 countries. Most of our students work in either full- or part-time jobs. Over onethird are considered non-traditional in age. The average age for an undergraduate is 24; for a graduate student, 35.

Athletics

NCAA Division I in golf, and Division II in 8 men’s and women’s team sports: basketball, baseball, softball, cross country, tennis, and volleyball. Member of Peach Belt Conference.

Cost

As a state-supported public institution, tuition is affordable. Financial aid opportunities are available through scholarships, grants, loans, and work opportunities. Residents of Edgefield and Aiken counties in South Carolina pay Georgia in-state tuition.

Augusta State University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097: Telephone number 404-679-4501) to award associate, bachelor, master, and specialist degrees.

Scholarship

• Operations Management International Physics Scholarship

Assistantships

The department offers many students the opportunity to work as paid assistants in our introductory lab courses. These students work alongside our faculty helping students and preparing labs. In addition, funds are available to pay students for their research efforts.

Contact an advisor for scholarship and assistantship details.

Undergraduate Research

The Department of Chemistry and Physics encourages its students to participate in undergraduate research activities. Here you have the advantage of gaining hands-on experience while working closely with a number of experts, an opportunity you will not find in many larger universities.

For more information and complete course requirements and detailed descriptions, visit the Department of Chemistry and Physics at www.aug. edu/chemphys and see the ASU online catalog at www.aug.edu.

ASU is a unit of the University System of Georgia.

Produced by the Office of Public Relations and Publications.

Bachelor of Science in Physics Bachelor of Science in Physics/Mathematics with Certification in Secondary Education Pre-Engineering Curriculum Minor in Physics

Letter from the Chair: Welcome to the Department of Chemistry and Physics. It is my pleasure to serve as chair of this department which I joined in 1996. We are proud of the accomplishments of our chemistry, biochemistry, and physics majors.

But why should you choose our department? Why should you major or minor in chemistry or physics? First, you will take your introductory courses in classes that usually have no more than 50 students. Laboratory sections generally have fewer than 25 students. And in your advanced courses, you can expect to be in classes of only 10 to 20 students.

Also, your courses will be taught by full-time faculty. Our chemistry faculty have expertise covering the subdisciplines of biochemistry, organic, medicinal, analytical, and physical chemistry. We have physics faculty with expertise in electronics, lasers, optics, atomic, nuclear, solid state, and geophysics.

We also give our students strong practical experience with laboratory equipment, experiment design, and data analysis through normal coursework and research projects. You will work with your professors in lab using modern equipment. You will have opportunities for hands-on work which is not available at larger research universities.

We hope you will stop in on the third floor of Science Hall and let one of us give you a tour and talk to you about your career and educational goals. The door is open to you for an interesting, challenging, and meaningful career in the sciences, and we would enjoy the opportunity of guiding you through it.

Programs and Coursework

The Department of Chemistry and Physics offers undergraduate degree programs in chemistry, physics, and biochemistry as well as cooperative degree programs leading to teacher certification.

Programs of study include preparation for continued education in engineering, medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, health physics, physician’s assistant, and others. Courses are also offered in physical science, astronomy, and geology.

Success After Graduation

Graduates of our degree programs have a history of successful transitions to graduate schools nationwide, medical and dental schools, and allied health programs. They have joined research groups at the Medical College of Georgia, the Savannah River National Laboratory, the Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. Many are employed by a variety of local industries.

Advantages

The small class sizes and hands-on laboratory instruction offer exceptional scientific preparation for a variety of careers. All classes and labs are taught by professors, not graduate students.

Modern facilities and opportunities for research allow a first-rate undergraduate experience.

Student camaraderie enriches the experience. Come join our family and get a solid scientific foundation for a rewarding future.

Why Should You be a Physics Major?

The demand for scientifically literate college graduates is strong. Technical degrees are a must for many research and high-paying industrial positions.

Technical degrees are a huge advantage when coupled with non-technical areas such as business or law. A physics degree will allow you to develop the analytical and problem-solving skills that are universally sought after by graduate and professional schools as well as by employers.

Academic Requirements Major in Physics

In order to earn a major in physics you must take at least 46 semester hours in physics. The 46 hours in physics must include the introductory physics sequence PHYS 2211 and 2212.

Major in Physics/Mathematics with Certification in Secondary Education

In order to earn a major in physics/mathematics and become certified in secondary education, you must take at least 29 semester hours in physics and 33 semester hours in mathematics. In addition, you must take CHEM 1211 and 1212 along with a number of education and secondary teacher certification courses. We also require the computer programming course CSCI 1301. You must also meet all University Core Curriculum and graduation requirements as outlined in the university catalog.

Pre-Engineering Curriculum

A curriculum including most courses required of freshmen and sophomores at colleges of engineering is offered. The student should also refer to the catalog of the Georgia Institute of Technology or of the institution to which one intends to transfer.

Minor in Physics

In order to earn a minor in physics, you must take at least 19 semester hours in physics.

Regular communication with your academic advisor is necessary to ensure satisfactory completion of your degree requirements and to guarantee that