Department of Physics

Boyd 208 • 678-839-4087
http://www.westga.edu/~physics/

Professors:

J. Hasbun, L. Lew Yan Voon (Dean, College of Science and Mathematics), B. Powell

Associate Professors:

N. Chestnut, A. DeSilva, J. Talbot (Chair)

Assistant Professor:

N. Sterling

Instructor:

B. Team

The physics program offers seven plans leading to the B. S. degree in physics. These plans are Plan A, the general physics major; Plan B, the dual degree (physics and engineering); Plan C, the physics major with a business concentration; Plan D, the physics education major; and Plans E, F, and G, the various physics emphases.

Plan A is designed for students who desire to pursue graduate study in physics or career options for which physics is an excellent gateway.

Plan B is the Dual degree program, where a student may, in approximately five years, receive both an engineering degree and a bachelor’s degree in physics. The University of West Georgia has Dual-Degree agreements with several engineering schools, such as Georgia Tech, Mercer University, and Auburn University. Under these agreements, a student can attend West Georgia for 3 years and the other institution for 2 years and obtain a B.S. degree in physics from West Georgia and a bachelor’s degree in engineering from the other institution.

Plan C is designed so that students earn credit towards the master’s in business administration. In this plan, students obtain a B.S. in physics with a business concentration in four years. Students who are interested in entering the technological business world are thus enabled to complete their M.B.A. in the fifth year at West Georgia.

Plan D is a B.S. in physics education. As mandated by the Board of Regents, students interested in teaching at the secondary level must have a major in the area of their teaching interest.

Finally, plans E, F, and G are similar to Plan A but are specialized depending on the courses students choose in the major area. These three emphases are computational physics (plan E), electro-optics (plan F), and solid state physics (plan G). These plans are designed to make it easier for students to seek employment in specific industry positions. The physics faculty, as a whole, advise students in each of these areas.

PHYS 1111 and PHYS 2211 are beginning courses. After receiving credit for PHYS 2211 , a student may not receive credit for PHYS 1111 .

Learning Outcomes

Students completing the B.S. degree with a major in Physics will:

Be able to apply mathematical problem solving techniques in the upper level required courses such as modern physics and thermodynamics.
Be able to make basic physical measurements in the laboratory and analyze and interpret the results.
Be able to communicate effectively to a physics audience, through writing and public speaking.

Programs

Bachelor of Science

Minor

Physics Minor