Upon completion of the program, a student receives two bachelors degrees, a B.A. from Monmouth, and a B.S. from the engineering school. At present, Monmouth is affiliated with three excellent engineering programs at the following universities: Washington University (St. Louis); the University of Southern California (U.S.C.); and Case - Western Reserve University.

Traditional physics majors follow a flexible program depending upon their career options. Students who plan to pursue graduate studies are encouraged to take specialized courses. All senior students work closely with a faculty member on an experimental or theoretical research project. The department has introduced a state of the art computational physics emphasis in its major program. A local area network has been built around a powerful SGI Octane workstation which is being used to teach a course on computational methods in physics and chemistry. Two recent graduates did their research project on modeling stellar evolution using the data from our nearest star, the Sun.

Equipment/Facilities
The physics program incorporates spacious teaching laboratories, smaller laboratories for individual projects, a shop, a vacuum evaporation facility, an electromagnet, and an X-ray diffractometer. The department has also recently acquired an 8" Schmidt-Cassegrain, computer-driven telescope for use in the introductory astronomy course.

Off-Campus Programs
Participation in the Associated Colleges of the Midwest-GLCA Oak Ridge program, during the first semester of senior year, is strongly encouraged for students who are contemplating graduate study. This program offers an intensive trial immersion in physics research.

Opportunities for summer research internships at universities and government laboratories are readily available to qualified students. In 1991 a physics senior was selected to participate in the Science and Engineering Research Semester at Argonne National Laboratory. Working with a scientist in the Chemical Technology Division, he later published two articles in collaboration with his research guide.

Career Opportunities
For a graduate holding a bachelor's degree, entry-level positions are available in, but are not limited to, such areas as quality control engineer, environmental technician, or the research and development departments of a wide variety of industries. One recent graduate is serving as an officer in the U.S. Army Signal Corps; another is a pilot in the U.S. Marine Corps. The Department of Physics also wishes to emphasize the need for qualified physics teachers at the high school level. We have recently been discussing ways to encourage students interested in science to consider a career as a secondary level teacher of physics. We especially encourage anyone interested in this career option who has any questions about required courses for certification as a physics teacher to contact the physics department.

Graduate School Opportunities
Recent graduates have studied at the University of Illinois, Texas Christian University, Michigan State University, University of North Dakota, Case-Western Reserve University, and Yale University.

Physics Major
The department major includes seven or more courses, no fewer than 28 semester hours, approved by the department. At least two courses must be at or above the 300 level and the student must complete the prerequisite mathematics courses (typically the calculus sequence through differential equations). Unless prior study or experience persuades the department to the contrary, students should expect to include PHYS 130, 132, 134, 208, 210 or 280, 303, 310, 315L and 420 in their program. All Juniors and Seniors are expected to participate in the science seminar (PHYS 350). Seniors must complete a senior research project (PHYS 420).

Physics Minor
The department minor requires five courses: PHYS 130 and 132, two courses numbered above 200, and one course numbered above 300. The PHYS 134 or 190 course may be substituted for a 200 level course.

Teacher Certification
A Physics major can prepare for secondary level certification by completing the major cited above and by adding the requirements described in the Education Department section of the catalog including EDUC 342. Physics majors should complete at least eight semester hours in biology to qualify to teach general science.

IMPORTANT DATES