Physics

Address: 321 Petty Building
Phone: 336.334.5844
Web site: www.uncg.edu/phy

Majors & Concentrations

• Physics (BA) U191
• Physics (BA) (High Sch Lic) U195
• Physics (BS) U193
• Physics (BS) (High Sch Lic) U196

What's unique about Physics and Astronomy at UNCG?

The Three College Observatory, which is administered by UNCG, boasts the largest optical telescope in North Carolina and one of the largest in the southeastern United States.

Small, discussion-oriented classes and a dedicated teaching faculty make UNCG a great place to study physics.

Departmental research focuses on biophysics, astrophysics, nonlinear systems, and novel methods of measuring ischemia in heart patients.

A combined Physics BA/MBA program is offered in conjunction with the Bryan School of Business and Economics.

The pre-engineering program prepares students for engineering studies at NC State University, UNC-Charlotte, North Carolina A&T State University, and other engineering schools.

Department Research Areas

Astrophysics: Studies include variable stars found in the cores of globular clusters in our galaxy. These Population II stars are among the oldest known stars in the Milky Way. We also study the way stars form dust, which is a crucial component of the interstellar medium.

Biophysics: Membrane biophysics of the sodium/potassium pump; behaviors of nonlinear systems, including chaos; and theory and demonstration of novel methods for detection of cardiac ischemia.

Science Education Research: Our Science Education group is a team of physicists studying knowledge, cognition, learning, and teaching about physics, math, engineering, and other sciences. They investigate fundamental questions about learning and expertise, develop pedagogic techniques and curricula, and promote effective instruction within our university and around the world.

Concentration in Pre-Engineering: While UNCG does not have an engineering school, we provide a great two-year preparation in basic physics and mathematics that will allow a student to transfer to one of North Carolina's outstanding engineering schools to complete an engineering degree. A pre-engineering student would come to UNCG to learn the basic math and physics required of all engineers but do this in our smaller classes. After two years, the pre-engineering student would transfer to a university that offers an engineering degree if the student has demonstrated mastery of the basic math, physics, and computational skills.

Academic Clubs and Organizations

• Society for Physics Students (make frequent student trips to research facilities such as the National Radio Astronomy Observatory in Greenbank, West Virginia, Triangle Universities Nuclear Laboratory TUNL, and others)
• Sigma Pi Sigma Physics Honor Society

Student Opportunities

Small classes at both introductory and advanced levels mean that you work very closely with faculty on a one-to-one basis.

Two study rooms are reserved for student use, and collaborative work is encouraged.

Successful students may work with faculty on research projects in their junior or senior years. Recent projects have included theoretical models of human heartbeats, studies of variable stars in globular clusters, studies of nonlinear dynamics, and study of the sodium pump in kidney cells.

Careers

• Applications Software Engineer, McDonnell Douglas Corporation, Marietta, GA
• Branch Chief, NASA, Huntsville, AL
• CEO, Landmark Communication Interests, Summerfield, NC
• VP, Oscom Communications, Manchester, MO
• Telecommunications Engineer, Allied Signal, Wrightsville, PA
• Operations Director, Continental Airlines, Lakewood, OH
• City Manager in a large city in the Southeast

Graduate Study

• Cornell University
• Johns Hopkins
• University of California-Santa Barbara
• NYU
• Duke University
• UNC-Chapel Hill
• NC State University

Professional Organizations

• American Institute of Physics
• American Association of Physics Teachers
• American Astronomical Society

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