Catalog 12-13.indd - McMurry University

PhysicsDEPARTMENT OF PHYSICSAssociate Professor Bykov, Department ChairAssociate Professor KeithAssistant Professor RenfroMission and Goals:The mission of the McMurry University Department of Physics is:1. to provide non-science majors with an introduction to the concepts,problem-solving techniques, and critical-thinking skills of physics;2. to provide non-physics science majors with a survey of physics and adiscovery-based laboratory experience that emphasizes data analysisand scientifi c communication;3. to provide physics majors with a broad-based curriculum that emphasizesthe fundamentals through a combination of classroom instruction,laboratory work, and research experiences;4. to enhance the education of physics majors and other interestedstudents through such extra-curricular activities as the Society ofPhysics Students by providing the opportunity to form natural learningcommunities; and5. to work in collaboration with each other to maintain an appropriatelevel of activity in our technical disciplines, in our academic communities,and in the local community.The Physics Faculty believe that enacting this mission will lead to thegoals of the department, which are:1. to enable non-science majors to understand the proper roles of science,technology, and mathematics within our society;2. to enhance non-physics science majors’ understanding of sciencethrough the application of the scientifi c process into disciplines thatoverlap their interests, but view the material from a different perspective,thereby providing a richer understanding of the interconnectednessof their discipline to other fi elds;3. to prepare physics graduates for a wide range of career opportunitiesincluding not only graduate study in physics, engineering, pre-med,or other sciences; but also, science teaching and careers in industryand science-related business;4. to develop students who are within our infl uence as whole people,well-rounded beyond simply the classroom experience, who havecollaborated on group projects and socialized in technical and in colloquialenvironments so that they can more easily grow into contributing,respected, and infl uential members of their future communities;and5. to live as examples, especially for our students, of individuals in acommunity that values the habits of life-long learners, of scholarsdeveloping their fi eld of knowledge, and of professionals.To attain these goals, we enact this mission to provide scholarly andprofessional opportunities to our students and colleagues on a daily basis.We believe that when students accept the responsibility to make use ofthe opportunities provided they will have developed the knowledge andskills that enable them to be successful in their academic and professionalendeavors.Graduate Study in EngineeringStudents with an interest in engineering should consider the possibilityof completing an undergraduate physics degree at McMurry Universityfollowed by application to a graduate program in engineering. The physicsdepartment has had recent graduates be accepted into graduate engineeringprograms at Texas Tech and construction management at Texas A&M.McMurry University offers a few courses that can count toward the physicsmajor which also provide an introduction to engineering.Graduate Admission Agreement to Texas Tech UniversityTexas Tech University has agreed to guarantee physics students atMcMurry University graduate admission into its M.S. degree program inphysics. The degree options available to the qualifying student include thetraditional M.S. in Physics, M.S. in Applied Physics, and M.S. in AppliedPhysics with Internship. The necessary criteria for guaranteed admissionto these options are as follows:Student must receive a B.S. in Physics from McMurry University.Course work must include the following with a letter grade of at least B:Electricity and Magnetism (1 semester minimum) - Physics 4310Quantum Mechanics (1 semester minimum) - Physics 4330For students applying to the M.S. in Applied Physics with Internship inthe semiconductor industry, students are required to take the followingcourses, earning a letter grade of at least a B:Solid State Physics - Physics 4385Electronics - Physics 3350Students must have a minimum overall GPA of 3.00, a minimum GPA inupper division physics courses of 3.25, and must meet all other requirementsof the Texas Tech Graduate School.Society of Physics Students: The McMurry Chapter of the Society ofPhysics Students is a charter chapter of the Society which was foundedon April 22, 1968. The purpose of the Society is to promote educationalactivities for all students interested in physics and to encourage and assiststudents to develop the knowledge, competence, enthusiasm, and socialresponsibility that are essential to the advancement of physics. Membershipis open to all students interested in physics.Sigma Pi Sigma: The McMurry chapter of Sigma Pi Sigma, the physicshonor society, was chartered in 1962. The objective of the society is torecognize the attainment of high scholarship and potential achievementin physics. Membership is open to juniors and seniors who have attainedhigh scholarship in physics and other subjects and who give evidence ofprofessional merit, profi ciency, or distinction. The society is a memberof the Association of College Honor Societies and is an affi liated societyof the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Sigma PiSigma is an integral part of the Society of Physics Students operatingwithin the Education Division of the American Institute of Physics.Departmental Awards: Each spring, awards are presented to outstandingstudents at the freshman and sophomore level. An outstandingjunior is awarded the John and Ruth Cole Scholarship and an outstandingsenior is awarded the Piper-Bottom Award for Excellence in Physics.Special Programs and Opportunities:Dual Physics-Engineering Degree Program. McMurry University hasjoined with Texas A&M University in offering a program to allow interestedstudents to simultaneously pursue two bachelor’s degrees: one in Physicsfrom McMurry and one in Engineering from Texas A&M. The studentwill complete three years of course work at McMurry and then transfer toTexas A&M where they will continue their education for at least anothertwo years in the Engineering fi eld of their choice. The courses taken atMcMurry will satisfy the general education and pre-requisite courses forTexas A&M and the Engineering courses taken at Texas A&M will countas advanced Physics courses for the McMurry University degree. Uponthe successful completion of their Texas A&M coursework, the student willreceive their BS degrees. The requirements for the McMurry Universitydegree are as follows: Completion of at least 90 hours which will include:All General Education Requirements for the BS degree. The remainder ofthe required hours will be taken from McMurry Science and Math curriculum.Please consult the pre-engineering advisor for appropriate choice ofcourses.116Departmental Honors. Please see the description of the Honors Programunder the Special Program section earlier in the catalog.Requirements for a Degree in Physics and a Minor in Physicsfollows the course descriptions.Degree in PhysicsSatisfactory completion of all requirements for the BS degreein Physics will also result in the awarding of a minor in Mathematics.Students wishing to double major in mathematics and physicsneed fi ve math classes beyond those required by the physics major, andshould begin by taking discrete math in their freshman or sophomore year.Be sure do discuss this with your advisor. Students with an interest inengineering should tell their advisor which concentration they would like topursue. This will affect their sophomore - senior schedules.