Physics is the science of matter, energy, and motion. It encompasses everything in nature from the behavior of the fundamental building blocks of matter to the large-scale evolution of the universe, galaxies, and black holes. Technological breakthroughs such as superconductivity, nanotechnology, and lasers would not have been possible without physics and physicists who have learned to use their knowledge of basic physical laws in novel and creative ways. At Clarion University, students will gain appreciation for nature by using the scientific method of investigation, and learn to effectively communicate their ideas both orally and in written form.
Our small student-to-faculty ratio allows for greater one-on-one instruction. Current faculty at Clarion University specialize in astrophysics, plasma physics, materials physics, nanotechnology, and energy sustainability. Graduates from Clarion University pursue a variety of careers or go on to earn advanced degrees in physics, engineering, medicine, or related fields. Some of our students choose to take advantage of our cooperative engineering program with the University of Pittsburgh and Case-Western Reserve University, while others choose to apply their major to our highly successful program in secondary education.
The physics department also offers a concentration in astrophysics and minors in nanotechnology and environmental sustainability.
PHYSICS, B.S. – 66 credits
Required: PH 258, 268, 259, 269, 351, 352, 353, 354, 371, 372, 461 and four additional physics courses at the 300-level or higher. In addition to these courses in physics, the following are required: MATH 270, 271, 272, 350; CHEM 153, 163; and three other courses selected from the sciences, mathematics, or computer science, not including physics.
SECONDARY EDUCATION, B.S.ED.
Certification for grades K-12, Physics (see Secondary Education Physics).
PHYSICS, MINOR – 25 credits
Required: (PH 251, 252) or (PH 258, 259, 268, 269), MATH 270 and 271, and three additional science courses at the 300 level or higher. Note that some mathematics and physics courses are prerequisites or co-requisites of some of the upper level classes. The minor in physics is designed for students from other science disciplines like biology, chemistry, mathematics, and industrial mathematics who wish to see the interrelations of matter and energy at a higher level than provided in the introductory courses.
NANOTECHNOLOGY, MINOR – 38 credits
Required: (PH 251, 252) or (PH 258, 268, 259, 269), PH 254, 270, and three additional physics courses at the 300 level or higher. These three courses may be selected from the list of approximately 20 courses appearing on the minor's checksheet. The minor in nanotechnology is designed for students from all disciplines in science and mathematics who wish to know more about the revolutionary breakthroughs in physics that allow scientists to organize and manipulate atter at the atomic scale. The minor in nanotechnology prepares students to perform interdisciplinary research on the biological, chemical, environmental, and mathematical aspects of nanoscience.
ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY: SCIENCE AND POLICY, MINOR – 18 credits
Required: PH 261, BIOL 202, BIOL 405, and three courses from the list of sustainable science and policy courses on the minor's checksheet. Sustainability is society's ability to meet the needs of the present without compromising future generations' ability to meet their own needs. This interdisciplinary minor focused on sustainability is designed to give both science and non-science students the opportunity to study complex environmental concerns and to synthesize the analytical skills of scientific disciplines with the policy skills necessary to solve real-world environmental problems.
PHYSICS, B.S, ASTROPHYSICS CONCENTRATION – 72 credits
Required: PH 258, 268, 259, 269, 301, 302, 351, 353, 354, 355, 356, 371, 461 and one course at the 300-level or higher. In addition to these courses in physics, the following are required: MATH 270, 271, 272, 350; CHEM 153, 163, 154, 164; ES 150, 200, 201. This concentration is designed for physics students who are interested in applying the underlying principles of physics to the planets, stars, and galaxies. It is appropriate for all physics majors and strongly recommended for students planning to attend graduate school in either astronomy or astrophysics.
The cooperative engineering programs in various fields of engineering, other than chemical and petroleum engineering, are also administered by the Physics Department.
